Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Derry's Brendan Rogers in action against Conor Turbitt of Armagh
ByOdhran CrumleyBBC Sport NI Journalist, AtAthletic Grounds- Published43 minutes ago
Armagh got their All-Ireland SFC campaign under way beating Derry 1-18 to 1-13 in their first round clash at the Athletic Grounds.
Tiernan Kelly's wonder goal and two bursts of six points without reply in the opening 20 minutes of the contest laid the foundations for a comfortable victory.
The Orchard County were playing their first game since winning the Ulster title for the first time in 18 years two weeks ago and they would have been on their guard after provincial winners Kerry and Roscommon lost their opening fixtures last weekend.
Kieran McGeeney made just one change to the side that claimed the Anglo-Celt Cup as Gareth Murphy replaced Paddy Burns in defence.
Derry were back at the Athletic Grounds and back in action for the first time since they let an 11-point lead slip against Monaghan in the Ulster semi-final here last month.
Ciaran Meenagh made two changes to that side, Shea Downey replaced Diarmuid Baker in defence, while surprisingly Paul Cassidy dropped out as Niall Toner started in attack.
Armagh lead after breathless first half
Despite playing against the wind, Conor Glass kicked the first score of the game on four minutes.
From the very next play, Shane McGuigan raced through after claiming a kick-out, McGuigan opted not to utilise options to his left and right, before blasting wide of the target with a goal on.
Armagh replied in style hitting the next six scores, as they ruthlessly dominated the Derry kick-out.
Conor Turbitt landed a two-pointer before Jason Duffy and Darragh McMullen rattled scores after a brace from Tomas McCormack.
Just as the game looked to be slipping away from the visitors Lachlan Murray nipped in front of Murphy to claim an Armagh restart, before racing clear to fire to the back of the net.
Niall Loughlin followed up with a point from the next attack to leave just the minimum between the sides.
The Ulster champions' reply was emphatic, for the second time in the contest they rattled off six points without reply.
Kelly ran direct at goal and was fouled in the process, and with a free secured via the advantage rule.
Kelly tried a shot at goal from long range, rifling the ball into the top right corner of the net, one of the best goals you are likely to see in championship ball.
Oisin Conaty raised an orange flag from the next play before Jarly Og Burns extended Armagh's led to seven points with 21 minutes on the clock, bizarrely this proved to be their last score of the half.
Murray replied for Derry two minutes later with the final score of the half, in that spell Blaine Hughes made a miraculous save to deny Conor McCluskey a goal from point-blank range.
After a breathless half of football, the home side went in at the break leading 1-9 to 1-3.
Armagh stay in control
Playing with the aid of the breeze Murray got Derry's first score of the half, Turbitt replied with Armagh's first point in over 19 minutes.
The home side were dealt a blow on 42 minutes when Jason Duffy was shown a black card for a late hit on Conor McCluskey.
Derry failed to really capitalise on the numerical advantage, but they did manage to win that spell 0-4 to 0-1, thanks to three from Conor Doherty and one from McGuigan.
Just as Duffy was about to re-enter the fray, McGuigan touched the ball on the ground, Jarly Og Burns immediately restarted play and sent Peter McGrane in on goal, the corner-back rounded the keeper but skewed his effort wide with the goal at his mercy.
McGeeney's side hit the next five scores, including a two pointer free from goalkeeper Hughes to lead by eight at the hour mark.
Derry needed a response fast and substitute Cassidy proved that with their first two-pointer of the game.
Turbitt replied for Armagh before Sean Young and Ethan Doherty's late orange flag proved a mere consolation for Derry.
McGeeney's side now have two chances to reach the last eight, while Derry lose their safety blanket and head for Round 2B.
Westmeath battle back to beat Cavan
Image source, InphoImage caption, Kevin O'Sullivan celebrates his crucial late goal for Westmeath
Westmeath mounted a stirring comeback in the second half of extra-time to beat Cavan 1-31 to 3-21 in their All-Ireland Round 1 game at Mullingar.
The Leinster champions had trailed Dermot McCabe's side by six points at half-time in extra-time but battled back to win a titanic struggle played in front of a capacity 12,000 crowd.
Westmeath led 0-12 to 0-6 at the interval but goals from Paddy Lynch and Paddy Meade helped the Ulster county recover to force extra time on a full-time score of 0-22 to 2-16.
A goal from Dara McVeety helped Cavan move 3-21 to 0-24 in front but Mark McHugh's team chipped away at their deficit and Kevin O'Sullivan's goal moved them ahead and two frees sealed the victory.
Athletic Grounds Teams and scorers
Armagh: Blaine Hughes (0-2 1x2ptf); Peter McGrane, Aaron McKay, Gareth Murphy; Joe McElroy (0-1), Tiernan Kelly (1-0), Greg McCabe; Jarly Og Burns (0-1), Andrew Murnin (0-1); Cian McConville, Darragh McMullen (0-1), Tomas McCormack (0-2); Conor Turbitt (0-4 1x2pt), Jason Duffy (0-2), Oisin Conaty (0-1).
Subs: Ross McQuillan for G McCabe (54), Oisin O'Neill (0-1 1f) for J Duffy (59), Rory Grugan for A Murnin (66)
Derry: Shea McGuckin; Shea Downey, Ruairi Forbes, Conor McCluskey; Conor Doherty (0-3), Gareth McKinless, Padraig McGrogan; Eoin McEvoy, Brendan Rogers; Ethan Doherty (0-2 1x2pt), Conor Glass (0-1), Niall Toner; Niall Loughlin (0-2), Shane McGuigan (0-1), Lachlan Murray (1-1).
Subs: Paul Cassidy (0-2 1x2pt) for S Downey (42), Dan Higgins for N Toner (48), James Sargent for R Forbes (54), Sean Young (0-1) for L Murray (57)
Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan)
