Armagh overcome Fingal in Nicky Rackard Cup

Armagh had a comfortable nine-point win over North Dublin side Fingal in Round One of the Nicky Rackard Cup at Crossmaglen today.

Despite being totally outplayed in the opening 10 minutes, the Ulster men regained their composure and their ability to score goals proved crucial.

Fingal should have had at least two goals inside the opening seven minutes but twice they blasted efforts from close range off the upright. They did manage two points but will know they should have been ahead after dominating early on.

From thereafter to the half time whistle Armagh slowly got on top with a succession of points and a goal just before the break to see them hold a 1-7 to 0-2 points interval lead.

Emmett McCabe scored a Fingal goal to give them some cheer and followed it up with three points but on the day they were outplayed and can have no complaints with the 3-15 to 1-12 scoreline.

Louth opened their Nicky Rackard Cup account with an easy 3-15 to 1-7 win over Tyrone at Dundalk this afternoon.

One first-half goal and two more in the second period were enough to see the Wee County record a win at the first attempt and manager Paddy Kelly was happy with how his charges performed.

“We’re happy enough alright,” he said afterwards. “It was tight enough in the first-half but we pulled away towards the finish. “We’ve been looking forward to this since the league finished and I think it’s a great opportunity for the lads to show what they’re made of now.

"We’re a strong unit. We had David Dunne back and the likes of Gerard Smyth and Shane Callan as well (who didn't play last year) so we have every available player in the county with us this term.”

Tyrone took a surprise lead after 15 minutes when midfielder Justin Kelly blasted home a penalty but after Derek Horan cancelled that out with a goal of his own on 20 minutes, Louth were deserving of their 1-7 to 1-5 interval lead.

Full-forward Shane Callan blasted home their second goal on 45 minutes after taking a hand pass off David Dunne who galloped 40 yards and sub Kevin MacNally made the game safe with a goal after 50 minutes.

David Dunne had three points, so too did Gerard Smyth, Donagh O’Sullivan had two points while Wesley Morrisssey and Diarmuid Murphy also got in on the scoring act.

Division Four champions Monaghan suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Roscommon in Athleague, going down by 4-16 to 0-18 points.

The westerners led at the break by 2-5 to 0-7 and further increased their advantage on the resumption with two more goals.