ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2

ARMAGH 1-18 DERRY 0-15

By ORLA BANNON at the Athletic Grounds

A comfortable six-point victory over Derry wasn't enough to save Armagh from relegation, with results elsewhere meaning they make an instant return to Division Three.

Kieran McGeeney's side hit three injury-time points in a desperate bid to boost their scoring difference, but it was too little too late with the 17-point defeat by Cavan several weeks ago the result which ultimately proved their undoing.

The orchard players were applauded off the pitch by the home supporters, who still appreciated their improved performances of recent weeks.

The draws against Galway and Tyrone were followed by this win against a disinterested Derry side who looked – and performed – like they had little to play for.

Armagh effectively won the game in the 15 minutes before half time when they hit unanswered 1-5, Miceal McKenna with the goal in first-half stoppage time.

Derry did have the best of things early on and led 0-3 to 0-1 after six minutes against a strong breeze but Armagh levelled through points from Stefan Campbell and Mark Shields.

Campbell continued his superb form this spring with two brilliant points off either foot as Armagh warmed to their task in a must-win game for Kieran McGeeney.

The sides were level on another two occasions in the opening half.

Armagh opened up a two-point lead for the first time, Ciaran O'Hanlon and Gavin McParland on target, but Christopher Bradley scored the second of his two quality first-half points with Emmett McGuckin tying the scores again at 0-7 apiece in the 21st minute.

Armagh completely took over with 1-5 without reply before the interval, Rory Grugan becoming the sixth Armagh player to score from play when he scored two superb left-footed points in a three-minute spell.

Ethan Rafferty converted three left-footed frees in a prolific second quarter and Miceal McKenna's goal in first-half stoppage time gave Armagh an eight-point cushion going in at the break.

Campbell fed Ciaran O'Hanlon whose direct run through the middle had Derry in trouble. He passed across to McKenna who cut in on his left foot to hit the ball low into the net to give Armagh a 1-12 to 0-7 interval lead.

Damian Barton, back on the sideline after serving an eight-week suspension, showed his displeasure with the first-half proceedings by shaking things up during the break.

Mark Lynch, a peripheral figure in the first half, was moved from full-forward to midfield with Ryan Bell brought on to the edge of the square.

The second half failed to hit the heights of the first with the free-taking of Mark Lynch and Ethan Rafferty the dominant features.

Derry only hit two points from play in the second half from Ryan Bell and James Kielt with Armagh totally bossing the second half against the wind.

The second half was littered with stoppages with Derry scoring through Lynch's five second half frees and Armagh, who played with a greater sense of urgency, scoring through Andy Mallon, Campbell and Rafferty's frees.

Despite pressing hard in the closing stages, the fate was sealed by Fermanagh's draw against Tyrone and Meath's win over Laois.

Scorers for Armagh: E Rafferty 0-7 (7f), M McKenna 1-1, S Campbell 0-3, R Grugan 0-2, A Mallon 0-1, M Shields 0-1, C O'Hanlon 0-1, C Watters 0-1, G McParland 0-1

Armagh: P Morrison; A Mallon, C Vernon, S Heffron; M Shields, S Connell, J McElroy; A Forker, E Rafferty; R Grugan, M McKenna, C O'Hanlon; C Watters, S Campbell, G McParland

Subs: T Kernan for McElroy (48), N Grimley for O'Hanlon (55), M McNeice for Morrison (58), A Findon for McParland (69)

**Scorers for Derry: **M Lynch 0-7 (7f), J Kielt 0-3 (2f), C Bradley 0-2, SL McGoldrick 0-1, E McGuckin 0-1, R Bell 0-1

**Derry: **T Mallon; O Duffy, C McKaigue, K McKaigue; L McGoldrick, B Rogers, D Heavron; C McAtamney, C McFaul; N Loughlin, C Bradley (0-2), J Kielt (0-3, 2f); E McGuckin (0-1), M Lynch (0-7, 7f), SL McGoldrick (0-1)

Subs: E Bradley for McAtamney (34), R Bell (0-1) for SL McGoldrick (HT), C Mullan for L McGoldrick (HT), C Murphy for Loughlin (55), D Mullan for McGuckin (55), C O'Boyle for Kielt (64)

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford)