Armagh kick-start league campaign

Armagh 1-9 Down 0-10, Crossmaglen

Armagh breathed new life into their National League campaign with a dogged display against Down today.

In front of an 8,500-strong crowd in Crossmaglen, Armagh claimed just their second Division 1B win despite having centre back Ciaran McKeever sent off in the closing stages.

Helped by three early points from full-forward Aidan Burns, Down led 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval but Dan Gordon did miss a decent goal chance.

the introduction of Kieran McGeeney and Stephen McDonnell's finishing power - he tallied up 1-6, grabbing a crucial late goal after Paddy McKeever's set-up - saw Armagh just pip their Ulster rivals.