Laois came out on top a real dogfight at O’Moore Park and advance to the second round of All-Ireland qualifiers, while Armagh’s disappointing season is over.

John Fogarty considers the promotion prospects of the sides hoping to join the top tier.

Kieran McGeeney has labelled the GAA chiefs who introduced the 26-man registered panels as “conspiracy theorists”.

The hard work was completed in the week prior to this match. Irrespective of how the game went, Armagh were looking for a win-win.

The lid was flipped. The usually unruffled Brian McEniff had blown his right off.

They stumbled in Croke Park last year with the winning post in sight, and Ciarán McKeever hopes to see Armagh unveil a new ruthless streak against Donegal on Sunday.

Armagh 0-16 Fermanagh 0-11: It may ‘only’ have been the Division Three Allianz league final, but Armagh showed enough in Croke Park on Saturday night to suggest they have the tools to become a team worth fearing again.

Armagh continued the impression that they are moving in the right direction under Kieran McGeeney’s stewardship, overcoming a slow start and the first-half sending off of centre-back, Finnian Moriarty to bag the Allianz Football League Division 3 crown.

Claire 1-11, Armagh 3-11:

Athlone IT 3-10 Trinity College Dublin 0-10

Tyrone legend Brian McGuigan has welcomed Cathal McCarron’s return to county football — but admits this represents a last chance for the former All-Star nominee to salvage his career.

Dr McKenna Cup

Tyrone began the defence of their Dr McKenna Cup title with a 1-12 to 1-10 win over 12-man Armagh in a feisty encounter today which saw 19 cards flashed at the Athletic Grounds – four of them red.

We’re not going to try and sell you Saturday’s International Rules game, writes John Fogarty.

There are those who reject the concept of International Rules and then there is Finian Hanley.

Former Armagh star Oisín McConville, pictured, claims the county’s behaviour has reached a ridiculous level after they pulled out of a scheduled press conference yesterday.

You could argue that Brendan Devenney is blinded by county loyalty but the former Donegal player is in ‘no doubt’ they will beat Dublin if, or as many believe, when, the sides meet.

ALL-IRELAND SFC ROUND 3B:

While the stands emptied and Tyrone players disjointedly made their way to the dressing room, in the middle of the pitch, an Armagh squad stood with their arms wrapped around each other huddled tightly together listening to the man in the middle.

Armagh stunned Tyrone on their own Healy Park patch to score a massive derby win that takes them through to the third round of the All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers.

Monaghan 1-18 Armagh 1-13

Another weekend, another collection of black card queries.

Armagh 0-14 Monaghan 0-14

Super-cool substitute Rory Grugan rescued Armagh with a free deep into stoppage time, earning a replay for his side and another chance to shock Ulster champions Monaghan.

Armagh and Cavan are facing fines and suspensions arising from Sunday’s pre-match fracas.

Armagh 1-12 Cavan 0-9

Richie Feeney has publicly apologised to his Castlebar Mitchels’ team-mates for his early black card in Monday’s All-Ireland club final defeat.

Monaghan secured the result of the day in Allianz Football League Division 2 by hammering Meath by 0-20 to 0-8.

ARMAGH

The win at all costs mentality is damaging the next generation of Gaelic footballers, according to Joe Brolly.

I’m an ideas man.

Davy Fitzgerald is set to remain as Clare senior hurling manager for another three years following last night’s county board meeting.

Senior Football titles were up for grabs in Armagh, Donegal, Kerry, Laois, Meath, Down, Limerick and Waterford this afternoon.

Donegal forward Michael Murphy has been named as Ireland's captain for next Saturday's first International Rules Test, despite doubts over how much of the game he will play.

A total of 15 counties are represented in the 29-man squad today announced by Ireland team manager Paul Earley for the upcoming International Rules series against Australia.

Dublin have been a different animal this year. Mayo may take exception to that.

Emmet Bolton has hit out at the club delegates who voted against keeping Kieran McGeeney on as Kildare senior manager, alleging that a good number of them have not even seen the panel train before.

Seán Walsh believes the legalisation of the tackle made by Seán Cavanagh on Conor McManus on Saturday can be a major step in curbing cynicism and lead to a more free-flowing game.

Galway 1-11 Armagh 0-09

Galway 1-11 Armagh 0-9

Armagh will field an unchanged team for the third match running when they travel to Salthill to take on Galway in the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers on Saturday.

Armagh manager Paul Grimley is confident that the team that throttled Wicklow can get the required result against Leitrim in Saturday's All-Ireland SFC second round qualifier in Carrick-on-Shannon (throw-in 5pm).

Armagh 2-21 Wicklow 0-02