Armagh win at a stroll

Armagh 0-16 Fermanagh 1-5

It was a stroll in the park for Armagh as they confidently dismissed Fermanagh's weak challenge to qualify for the Ulster Football Championship final.

At no stage did Dominic Corrigan's side threaten to trouble a well organised Armagh outfit, who were able to pick off scores at will.

The game had moved into injury-time before Fermanagh added to their meagre four point first-half tally, Rory Gallagher drilling home a penalty.

Oisin McConville and Diarmuid Marsden got Armagh off to a flying start with early points, but they failed to build on the solid approach work of midfielder Paul McGrane and centre back Kieran McGeeney.

Barry Owens and Paddy McGuinness defended with discipline, and their telling clearances provided the foundation for Fermanagh's gradual emergence.

They shot three points to take the lead by the 13th minute, with Raymond Gallagher and Rory Gallagher finding the target, and Tom Brewster floating over a superb point.

But then it was Armagh's turn to hit three in a row, Ronan Clarke for once eluding McGuinness to split the posts, before McGrane fisted over, and McConville opened up a two points advantage.

As the game ebbed and flowed without reaching any spectacular heights, Fermanagh dominated the closing stages of the half, but shot a series of bad wides, and could only manage a single point from a Rory Gallagher free.

Armagh went in at the break with a slender one point lead, 0-5 to 0-4, but they slipped into a higher gear on the restart.

While Fermanagh continued to gain little from a generous share of possession, the Orchard attackers were clinical in their finishing, and scores from Marsden, McConville, Paddy McKeever and substitute Barry O'Hagan gave them a 0-9 to 0-4 lead midway through the half.

Fermanagh defender Justin Gilheany and Armagh's Francie Bellew were lucky to stay on the field following a bout of wrestling.

The Erne county did lose a defender a short time later, Sean Burns dismissed after aiming a kick at Enda McNulty.

Meanwhile, Armagh continued to fire over points, Steven McDonnell, Cahal O'Rourke, McGrane, Marsden and McKeever all on target.

They were 10 points ahead by the time Gallagher stroked home a penalty, and won by an unflattering eight.