Down win Ulster derby

NFL DIVISION 2:

Down 1-13 Armagh 1-6, Pairc Esler

A first minute goal from Benny Coulter set Down on their way to an Ulster derby win over Armagh in Newry tonight.

Coulter capitalised on a defensive mix-up to palm into an empty net after barely 40 seconds.

Having trailed by 1-5 to 0-0, Steven McDonnell replied for Armagh with a penalty.

However, the Orchard men, who closed the gap to 1-7 to 1-4 for half-time, had Finian Moriarty sent-off and Down, with midfielder Ambrose Rodgers in top form, dominated the second period.

This was Down's first win over Armagh in NFL or Championship fare since 1995 and an important marker as they look to secure promotion back into the top flight of the Allianz National League.

The victory for James McCartan's men owed much to that blistering start which saw goalkeeper Philip McEvoy and Andy Mallon failed to clear the ball and Coulter was perfectly placed to take advantage.

With Rodgers driving the home side on from centre-field, points followed from Mark Poland, Martin Clarke (0-2), Coulter and Rodgers himself as Armagh fell eight points adrift.

But the visitors opened their account in the 12th minute when Stefan Forker drew a foul from Dan McCartan and McDonnell stepped up to fire the ball to the net, before adding a free shortly afterwards.

Moriarty, having just been yellow carded, tagged on a terrific point from play as Armagh grew in confidence. Down stemmed the tide with a point from John Clarke, whose brother Martin was forced off with an injury after Ciaran McKeever caught him with a heavy challenge.

McDonnell and Gareth Swift found the target as Armagh closed the gap to just two points in this Division 2 top of the table clash.

However, the complexion of the game changed coming up to half-time as Moriarty received his second yellow for his part in an off-the-ball incident and John Clarke claimed the half's final point at 1-7 to 1-4.

McDonnell pointed early in the second half but Armagh, managed by Down's 1991 All-Ireland winning captain Paddy O'Rourke, added just one more point over the remainder of the match - a late one from Swift.

McDonnell's effort took his tally to 1-3 but the 14-man Orchard side simply had no answer to Down's effective play and superior finishing.

Conor Maginn, who came on for the injured Clarke, showed his worth with a well-taken 40th minute score.

Fellow substitute Conor Lavery also impressed when on the ball and scores from Poland, Daniel Hughes and Maginn saw Down collect their fourth win of the league run.