Armagh’s decision to drop down a tier paid dividends as they cruised to victory in Saturday’s Nicky Rackard Cup final at Croke Park.

Louth will face Armagh in the Nicky Rackard Cup final after a 20-point rout of Donegal at Letterkenny on Saturday.

Armagh overcame two sendings-off to score a comfortable win over Louth in Saturday’s Nicky Rackard Cup first round match at Dundalk.

CHAMPIONS Kerry lead the way on this year’s Christy Ring Cup Champion 15 with four players rewarded for their performances on the side that claimed honours in last June’s final against Wicklow in Croke Park.

CORK natives Martin Finn and Kevin Canty were the key contributors as London finally put Louth to the sword with a convincing second-half performance to win the Nicky Rackard Cup at Croke Park.

London 2-20 Louth 0-11

Louth 2-17 Monaghan 1-13

SEAMUS McENANEY has strongly defended his surprise decision to recall 38-year-old Graham Geraghty to the Meath panel.

Wicklow 3-18 Louth 2-9

HURLING was in short supply on a football weekend at Croke Park but the brilliance of Keith Raymond did the small game’s stock no harm as Sligo claimed Nicky Rackard Cup honours.

Louth's hurlers will bridge a 24-year gap when they step out onto the hallowed turf of Croke Park for Sunday's Nicky Rackard Cup final.

Tee-off times for the first two rounds of the 130th Open championship at Royal Lytham St Annes (GB and Ire unless stated):