Talk all you like about defensive systems and structures and so on, but when it comes down to it, nothing beats thumping the ball into the square for a big man.

Kieran McGeeney savoured his first Ulster Championship victory in five seasons as Armagh manager as a manic quarter-final tie was settled in dramatic fashion in extra-time.

After missing out on a place in last year’s inaugual Super 8s and promotion to Division One in the spring, Armagh were patted on the head and told they’d dodged a bullet.

It has been a shocking decade of decline for Cork football and having started it in 2010 as Division One and All-Ireland champions, they finish it as a Division Three side after yesterday’s deserved win in Armagh failed to save them from relegation.

Armagh 1-14 Cork 3-9

Armagh 1-15 Tipperary 0-12

Bruce Springsteen’s Glory Days blared out over the tannoy prior to the start of this Allianz League Division 2 tie at breezy Páirc Tailteann yesterday and while that may have been a bit premature for the Royals there were some positive signs in this hard-fought victory.

Kieran McGeeney had to settle for a draw on his first return to Kildare as an opposing manager after Jimmy Hyland earned the home team a share of the spoils with the last kick of the game.

The game was played without the controversial hand-pass rule which had just hours earlier been ditched by Central Council, and Sunday’s FBD Connacht League final between Galway and Roscommon at Tuam will also be played without the ill-fated regulation.

Dr McKenna Cup semi-final Armagh 0-14 Donegal 1-10

“A self-inflicted wound” is how Gary Brennan felt about Clare’s game management in a frantic finish at the Athletic Grounds after their four-point lead ended up in a four-point defeat.

Sligo 1-13 Armagh 1-19

Fermanagh 0-7 - Armagh 07: A point each gives plenty to both teams. Armagh go up, after two seasons in the third division, while Fermanagh have to wait the outcome of a winner-takes all battle, on the final day of the season, away to Longford.

Armagh 1-11 Longford 1-10: This was the ultimate smash and grab operation.

Jamie Clarke was in sublime form as Armagh marched into next Saturday’s All-Ireland quarter-final against Dublin or Tyrone.

A Jamie Clarke goal in the 70th minute propelled Armagh into the fourth round of the qualifiers, writes Eoghan Cormican

Westmeath restored battered pride, but it was 14-man Armagh who took the spoils in a bruising Round 2B Qualifier at Cusack Park.

Tipperary 3-8 Armagh 0-16

Kieran McGeeney hopes the returning Jamie Clarke “gives himself the best chance” to prove his class with Armagh in 2017.

Laois 1-11 Armagh 1-10: In the end, like most recounts in a general election, there was no change.

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.

Sport is not life or death, but there are times when it can be a joyous distraction or stabilising influence when all seems lost.

Armagh 1-18 Derry 0-15: Armagh went down, but not without a fight, and Kieran McGeeney took the positives from a difficult spring despite the team’s relegation from Division 2 for the second time in three seasons.

Cavan have earned promotion and a league final place with a 1-16 to 1-12 win over Galway at Kingspan/Breffni Park.

Tyrone 0-10 Armagh 0-13

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.

This morning's draw for rounds 2A and 2B of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifiers has thrown up a juicy all-Ulster clash between Tyrone and the losers of the Monaghan-Armagh replay.

Armagh 0-14 Monaghan 0-14

Monaghan boss Malachy O’Rourke was furious at referee Joe McQuillan over the late, late free that got Armagh out of jail at Clones.

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.

NUI Maynooth 2-19 IT Blanchardstown 1-5

Queen’s University 0-13 University of Limerick 0-11

Crossmaglen Rangers flashed out the message that a 17th title in 18 years is in their sights by beating Pearse Óg by 2-11 to 0-7 in the quarter-finals.

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).

After a nightmare week for Armagh, there was more than a touch of irony about Ciarán McKeever’s late heroics which helped the Orchard county snatch a precious league victory on Saturday night.

Armagh 1-14 Down 0-16

Cavan put their troubles at senior level behind them to advance to an Ulster U21FC semi-final in impressive fashion at Kingspan Breffni Park last night.

Declan McKenna will make his first Championship start for Armagh in tomorrow's All-Ireland SFC second round replay against Wicklow.