Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney.
Allianz Football League Division Three
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DERRY 2-20 WEXFORD 3-8
FERMANAGH 0-7 ARMAGH 0-7
Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh are back in Division 2 of the National Football League after they drew with Fermanagh in their Round 6 tie at Brewster Park.
It was hugely physical northern derby and Armagh were 0-5 to 0-1 in arrears at half-time. But they fought back in the second-half to secure a crucial draw.
They couldn’t continue their 100 per cent record in the league, but this promotion will be a massive boost ahead of their Ulster championship campaign, which begins against Fermanagh too.
That game will also take place in Brewster Park, on 19 May, and it was clear from the off here that both sides wanted to put down a marker ahead of the summer months.
But fresh off their disappointing 0-14 to 1-9 comeback defeat to Westmeath last time out, Fermanagh dominated a scrappy opening half and they did enough to lead by four at the break.
Full-forward Sean Quigley was once again the main man for Fermanagh and Armagh looked in real trouble at the interval – they didn’t score until the 23rd minute of the first-half.
Fermanagh were also in search of one of the two promotion places, and they looked set to move within touching distance of Armagh in the Division 3 table.
But Armagh’s experience helped them find a way back into the game in the second-half, and points from Rory Grugan, Oisin McKeever and Niall Grimley were crucial as they claimed a draw and promotion back to Division 2.
Derry moved away from relegation trouble in Division 3, but their 2-20 to 3-8 win over Wexford at Celtic Park, relegated their opponents.
It has been a disastrous campaign for Wexford in 2018 and they lost for the sixth time in a row. They are yet to even register a point on the table.
Damien McErlain’s side were utterly dominant and they held a 2-8 to 0-7 lead at half-time, after two goals from Padraig McGrogan and Emmett Bradley gave them an unassailable lead at half-time.
Wexford never looked like getting back into the tie, and Derry held a 2-12 to 0-7 lead before consolation goals from Naomhan Rossiter, Shane Doyle and Paul Curtis were scored.
Still Derry increased their advantage further in the closing stages, and Conor McAtamney scored six points as his team cruised to just their second win.
