Dominant Armagh punish tired Derry to keep momentum going 

Goals were key as the Orchard County turned the screw on their Ulster rivals. 

BRAGGING RIGHTS: Armagh's Rian O'Neill celebrates scoring a goal. Pic: INPHO/Lorcan Doherty

Armagh 3-17 Derry 0-15 

It was Armagh’s day at Celtic Park with the Orchard County backing up their win over Westmeath with victory over league champions Derry.

It was goals from Ross McQuillan and Conor Turbitt that put Derry on the way to a 2-8 to 0-6 interval on a day they totally outplayed a home side who looked a pale shadow of what they brought to the league.

It was Emmett Bradley who opened the scoring for Derry before on the way to a 0-3 lead, with scores from Conor Glass (mark) and McGuigan free.

In that time, Rian O’Neill kicked a point unchallenged with Oisin Conaty’s pace leading to a goal chance coming off the crossbar.

It was the signal of Armagh’s intent. They hunted Derry down to get level at 0-3 each after 15 minutes.

Then came the first goal. A Tiernan Kelly turnover let to Conaty’s run before he tied up blood sub Ross McQuillan who blasted to the net for a 1-3 to 0-3 lead after 13 minutes.

Armagh hit their second goal. Rogers had a pass intercepted by Aaron McKay who put Armagh on the front foot with Turbitt’s goal making the score 2-3 to 0-4.

Baker and Cassidy points for Derry but it was all Armagh who pushed eight clear by half-time, 2-8 to 0-6 with scores from McCambridge, Forker and Turbitt.

Glass and McGuigan hit early Derry scores before Armagh settled the game down. Niall Grimley, who bossed the game was on target McGeeney’s side.

Lachlan Murray and McGuigan hit points for Derry before Ruan O’Neill buried a third Armagh goal n the 53rd minute for a 3-10 to 0-11.

It went from bad to worse for Derry who had Ciaran McFaul sent off when his yellow was backed up by a black card.

Armagh turned on the style with 12 players on the scoresheet in a victory that was every bit as convincing as the scoreline suggests.

Derry face into a round three game with Westmeath with Kieran McGeeney’s side now up against Galway.

Scorers for Derry: S McGuigan 0-7 (4f), C Glass 0-3 (1m), L Murray, E Doherty, E Bradley, P Cassidy and D Baker 0-1 each 

Armagh: C Turbitt 1-4 (1f, 1m), R O’Neill 1-1, R McQuillan 1-0, O Conaty, T Kelly 0-2 each B McCambridge, R Grugan, A Forker, S McPartlan, A Nugent (f), B Crealey (m), N Grimley and O O’Neill 0-1 each 

Derry: O Lynch; C McCluskey, C McKaigue, D Baker; D Gilmore; C Doherty, B Rogers, D Gilmore; C Glass, E Bradley; E Doherty, N Toner, P Cassidy; S McGuigan, L Murray Subs: C McFaul for E Bradley (42), D Cassidy for N Toner (48), Black cards: C McFaul (59) Yellow cards: C McFaul (48) Red cards: C McFaul (59) 

Armagh: B Hughes; B McCambridge, A McKay, P McGrane; J McElroy, Connaire Mackin, A Forker; R O’Neill, B Crealey; S Campbell, R Grugan, T Kelly; O Conaty, N Grimley, C Turbitt Subs: R McQuillan for McGrane (blood sub 9, reversed 62), J Duffy for S Campbell (50), O O’Neill for R O’Neill (56), G McCabe for A Forker (56), S McPartlan for B Crealey (65), A Nugent for C Turbitt (66), D McMullen for Connaire Mackin (73) Yellow cards: R O’Neill (8), A Forker (42), R Grugan (62) 

Referee: D Coldrick (Meath)