Down 2-12 Armagh 0-10:DOWN'S DOMINANCE over an inexperienced Armagh side at Páirc Esler meant that a fixture, famed for its intense rivalry, was reduced to a spectacle that could best be described as neighbourly in nature.
Armagh offered disappointingly little without their Crossmaglen contingent and Down were able to exploit their weaknesses with relative ease.
As is customary for the Dr McKenna Cup both sides fielded some unfamiliar faces.
Down will take heart from the performances of newcomers David McKibbon and Keith Quinn, both of whom are natural defenders, something the Mourne county have been desperately lacking in recent years.
The performances of Marcus Miskelly and Ryan Brady in the full-forward line also served to remind Down fans that their team has plenty of attacking options.
On the basis of yesterday’s performance Armagh fans may have more cause for concern about up-and-coming talent within the county, especially given that their one-time minor star Conor Gough lined up in the red and black of Down at senior level for the first time against his former county.
Down were already five points up by the midway point of the first half. Ryan Brady had netted for the home side on 14 minutes and points from Danny Hughes, Miskelly and Aidan Carr meant Down’s lead was comfortable.
Armagh tried in vain to close the gap with points from Billy Joe Padden and Brian Mallon but the Orchard men continued to trail their opponents by five points at the half-time break.
Down only got stronger in the second half and the killer blow arrived on 59 minutes when substitute Conor Laverty spun his man and calmly dispatched his shot into the net.
DOWN: B McVeigh; N Branigan, D McCartan, D Turley; D McKibbon, L Doyle (0-2, two frees), K Quinn; P Turley, C Gough; D Hughes (0-1), A Carr (0-2), D Gordon (0-1); M Miskelly (0-3), K King, R Brady (1-1). Subs: A Branigan for D McKibbon (35 mins), K Duffin for L Doyle (52 mins), C Laverty (1-1) for R Brady (52 mins), B Coulter (0-1) for C Gough (58 mins), A McConville for D Hughes (64 mins).
ARMAGH: N Geoghan; A Conlon, C Vernon, D McKenna; D Lavery, A Mallon, M Shields; A Duffy, E McDonnell; A Forker (0-1), B Mallon (0-2), M O’Rourke (0-3, 0-2 frees); S Campbell (0-1), BJ Padden (0-2), E McVerry. Subs: J Kingham for A Conlon (21 mins), C McKeever for M Shields (23 mins), R Rafferty (0-1) for E McDonnell (35 mins), P Gribben for A Forker (52 mins), S Moore for D McKenna (64 mins).
Referee: M Sludden (Tyrone).
