Armagh 2-15 Down 3-11:ARMAGH STAGED a brilliant final three-minute rally coming from two points behind to snatch victory over Down in Páirc Esler, Newry on Saturday night.

Rory Grugan notched three points and Gavin McParland two to help Armagh lead 0-8 to 0-1 lead after 20 minutes. Down battled back, helped by a brilliant goal from Peter Fitzpatrick, and drew level 1-6 to 0-9 at half-time.

Down restarted in style. Martin Clarke pointed two frees and Aidan Carr added another. Benny Coulter scored a goal and Kevin McKernan added a point as Down raced into a 2-10 to 0-10 lead midway through the half.

Goals from Brian Mallon and Anto Duffy put Armagh in front before Coulter regained the lead for Down with his second goal. But Armagh finished with points from Paul Duffy, Conor Clarke and Declan McKenna to claim victory.

ARMAGH: P McAvoy; V Martin, K Toner, P Duffy (0-1); K Dyas, D McKenna (0-1), J Feeney (0-1); C Vernon, J Lavery; R Grugan (0-3, two frees), M O’Rourke (0-3), A Duffy (1-0); G McParland (0-2), B Mallon (1-1), C Watters (0-1). Subs: BJ Padden for J Feeney; C Clarke (0-1) for C Watters; J Murtagh (0-1 free) for G McParland.

DOWN: C Murdock; P McPolin, G Carville, K McKernan (0-1); K Anderson, J Colgan, K Duffin; D Sheerin, P Fitzpatrick (1-0); C Maginn (0-1), A Carr (0-3, two frees), B Coulter (2-1); P Devlin, R Murtagh (0-1), M Clarke (0-3 frees). Subs: M Magee (0-1) for D Sheerin; C Poland for C Maginn; C Laverty for M Clarke; L Doyle for K Anderson, K King for A Carr.

Referee: JJ Cleary (Derry).