Armagh 5-13 Antrim 1-8
The Armagh minors opened their account for the season with a huge 17-point victory over Antrim on Saturday.
Brendan Hughes’ side hit five goals in their dismissal of the Saffron’s and had nine different scorers throughout.
The visitors opened the scoring, but Armagh took control from there with their first goal and never looked back.
Team captain and Clan na Gael clubman Callum O’Neill ended a superb move by planting the ball into the net.
James Austin and Michael McSorley tagged on points before Daragh McNulty rattled home Armagh’s second major.
McNulty followed it up with a pointed free before Austin added to his growing personal tally with his second.
Antrim shot back with 1-1 of their own but corner forward Caolan O’Hare steadied the ship for the Orchard.
Midfielder McSorley traded scores with the opposition as the half time whistle sounded. Armagh ahead by double scores, 2-6 to 1-3 at the interval.
Like the first half, Antrim opened the scoring, but Austin cancelled it out before pulling further in front.
Aaron O’Neill, the teams vice-captain nailed a goal while Ryan Duff did likewise to fire the hosts 12 points ahead.
O’Neill, younger brother of Oisin and Rian, was on hand once again to raise a green flag, netting Armagh’s fifth of the game.
Austin, O’Neill and substitutes Dara McCloskey (2) and Sean Hamill added points as Armagh ran out easy victors in the end.
The minors continue their league campaign next weekend and are on the road. They travel to Monaghan on Saturday for round two.
Armagh: Liam Carroll, Keegan Grant, Micheal Marmion, Fionnbar McKee, Callum O’Neill 1-0, Ryan McGahan, Tiarnan McDonald, Michael McSorley 0-2, Oran Callaghan, Padraig O’Keefe, Aaron O’Neill 2-2 (1f), Daragh McNulty 1-1 (1f), Ryan Duffy 1-0, James Austin 0-4 (1f), Caolan O’Hare 0-1. Subs: Ciaran Reel for F. McKee, James Mallon for T. McDonald, Sean Hamill 0-1 for D. McNulty, Kealan McDonnell for R. Duffy, Dara McCloskey 0-2 (1m) for J. Austin.
