He would have been entitled to feel smug or wag a finger in the general direction of his detractors after a torrid 18 months, but Eamonn Burns instead used his winning platform to heap praise on his unfancied Down team after they pulled off the county’s first Ulster championship win over Armagh in 25 years.

Down scored a first Championship win over Armagh in 25 years, but they won’t be making any bold forecasts of a major breakthrough following this unconvincing success against a misfiring opponent.

Cork 1-10 Down 0-13

Allianz FL Division 2

Derry 1-07 - Down 1-15: Down boss Eamonn Burns was thrilled after watching his side destroy Derry to chalk up successive National League victories and move clear of the bottom two in Division Two.

Down 1-13 Meath 0-14: It was a long time coming, so Eamonn Burns was relieved to get Down over the winning line as they picked up a first Allianz League victory in almost two years.

Mary I 3-24 IT Carlow 1-19: DJ Carey said that Mary I manager Jamie Wall is an inspirational figure who could enjoy a successful career in charge of county teams.

IT Carlow 2-20 UCC 1-20: IT Carlow manager DJ Carey has no clue what shape his bruised and battered team will be in for today’s Fitzgibbon Cup final, but says whatever happens they’re in bonus territory now.

IT Carlow 2-20 UCC 1-20 (AET): Stephen Maher hit 11 points as IT Carlow reached their first Fitzgibbon Cup final at the expense of UCC in Dangan.

IT Carlow 4-16

Allianz FL Division 2

St Colman’s, Fermoy 3-12 CBC, Cork 1-12: Three goals in a wind-assisted first-half proved priceless for Fermoy’s St Colman’s College, who booked their place in the Dr Harty Cup semi-finals for the second successive year in seeing off Christian Brothers College at Church Road in Blackrock yesterday.

St Colman’s made the use of the elements as three first-half goals provided the platform for victory in this Dr Harty Cup quarter-final at Church Road in Blackrock on Wednesday.

CBC Cork 1-12 Scoil na Tríonóide Naofa, Doon 1-8: A 47th-minute Billy Cain goal helped CBC retain the Munster Colleges Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship title in Mallow yesterday.

Slaughtneil (Derry) 0-12 Kilcoo (Down) 0-9: They’ve had many great days in the last few years, but Slaughtneil had their sweetest moment yet in the Athletic Grounds yesterday, shrugging off the pressure to complete an unprecedented Ulster treble.

Kilcoo (Down) 4-13 Maghery (Armagh) 0-12: It was far easier than they expected, and Kilcoo impressive enough yesterday to suggest they’re going to take a lot of stopping in the Ulster Club SFC final.

Longford have upset the form guide with a Qualifier win over a vulnerable Down side at Pairc Esler, striking two killer goals in extra-time to book their place in Monday’s Round 2 draw.

Monaghan 2-22 Down 0-9: So much for the ultra-competitive Ulster championship.

Cork 0-12 Down 0-7: Another step forward for Cork, another step back for Down.

Down 1-7 Dublin 1-15: Still holding a flawless record as they stride towards the Allianz League semi-finals may suggest Dublin are passing through the spring without being road tested. Jim Gavin, however, insists that the ride has been “a little bit bumpy”.

The Dubs made virtually certain of a National Football League semi-final place with a comfortable if unspectacular eight points win over Down at Pairc Esler.

Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice has backed Paul Murphy to shine again at centre-forward, though he accepts that tomorrow’s Allianz FL Division 1 clash with Donegal in Tralee will represent a different challenge for the Rathmore man than Down did last week.

Scoil Mhuire gan Smál Blarney 2-12 Coachford College 0-11: A first Munster Post Primary School’s hurling title for Scoil Mhuire gan Smál Blarney as they claimed victory over fellow Cork school Coachford College in the Corn Risteard Uí Mhathúna (U18½ CHC final) in Carrigaline yesterday.

Aidan Walsh of St Mary’s makes his league debut as Kerry make seven changes for tomorrow’s Allianz FL Division 1 clash with Down at Páirc Esler in Newry (2pm).

Monaghan 0-13 Down 0-11: Monaghan just about held out in a frenetic finish to make it two wins from two outings but they were pushed all the way by a resurgent Down who were a transformed side from their opening weekend drubbing by Donegal.

St Pat’s/Mater Dei 2-14 IT Carlow 4-17: IT Carlow claimed victory after a highly entertaining Fitzgibbon Cup clash with St Pat’s/Mater Dei in the Na Fianna’s club grounds in Dublin.

Down 0-7 Donegal 3-15: Rory Gallagher wants Donegal’s established players to feel the heat from the next generation, and there were loads of positives for him to take from Saturday night’s emphatic league win in Newry.

Donegal 1-11 Down 0-11: Frank McGlynn’s goal, after only 68 seconds, fired Donegal to a useful opening-day win over Down, in the Dr McKenna Cup, at Ballybofey.

Crossmaglen (Armagh) 0-12 Kilcoo (Down) 0-8: Stephen Kernan was the dominant figure as Crossmaglen reached their first Ulster Club SFC final since 2012.

Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan has failed to overcome a groin injury and will sit out their Ulster football championship preliminary round clash away to Donegal on Sunday.

Allianz Football League leaders Cork have included all three O’Driscoll brothers for Sunday’s table-topping clash with Mayo.

Down 1-17, Galway 1-16: Kevin Walsh was left regretting Galway’s wastefulness as Down came with a late charge to snatch a valuable win which moved them to the top of Div 2 in the Allianz Football League.