Christy O'Connor's talking points: Armagh learning from harsh lessons 

FINAL BOUND: Ciaran Mackin of Armagh celebrates at the final whistle. Pic: Stephen McCarthy, Sportsfile

Exactly a year after getting whacked by Armagh in an Ulster semi-final, conceding 4-10 in the process, Down arrived in Clones on Saturday evening with a different strategy in mind, one of containment and confinement, looking to frustrate Armagh in a tactical arm-wrestle, a low scoring dogfight.

From the first whistle, as soon as Down lost possession, even off a kickout, they decamped into their own half, set up their swarm defence, blocking the centre, happy to sit in and slowly attack up the pitch. And stay in the fight long enough to try and see the match out.