Armagh overcome red card adversity
Last year’s Ulster senior finalists were reduced to 14 when wing-forward, Ryan Gaffney, was shown a straight red just before the changeover.
Paul McCormack was another to see red, five minutes from time, but by then Armagh had the game in safe keeping.
David Carvill was eagle-eyed from frees and in a second half dominated by the visitors, goalkeeper Simon Doherty more than paid his way, stopping two late penalty attempts.
Scorers for Armagh: David Carvill 0-9, R Lewis 0-4, P McCormack, R McGrattan 0-2 each, J King, C Corvan, R Gaffney 0-1 each.
Scorers for Louth: S Fennell 0-3, A Wallace 1-0, B Corcoran 0-2, S Callan, G Rellis, R Byrne 0-1 each.
ARMAGH: S Doherty; M Garvey, C Clifford, C McKee; P Gaffney, N Curry, K McKernan; J King, P McCormack; R Gaffney, M Maguire, David Carvill; R Lewis, C Corvan, C Carvill.
Subs: R McGrattan for Maguire, Donal Carvill for Garvey, C Coulter for Lewis; E Carvill for Corvan.
LOUTH: J Connolly; D McArdle, W Morrissey, M Wallace; D O’Sullivan, R Byrne, D Horan; S Callan, D O’Hanrahan; D Dunne, S Fennell, D Murphy; K McNally, B Corcoran, A Wallace. Subs: G Rellis for McNally; G Smyth for O’Hanrahan.
Referee: P O’Dwyer (Carlow).
