Seven Armagh players earned their debuts on Wednesday evening as the Orchard County dismissed Antrim, to the delight of coach Kieran Donaghy.
The Saffrons offered little competition and the game was more or less over before the end of the first quarter.
Shane McPartland started the game at corner forward and the Clan na Gael man earned a first half score.
Lee Rice, Kieran Doyle, Tomas McCormack and Cian McConville all came on at half time. Conor Grimley and Oisin Conaty also made second half appearances.
Eoin Woods earned a first start while Niall McConville played his first game since 2017. The likes of Niall Smith, Joe Sheridan and Peter McGrane played in last year’s McKenna Cup.
Forwards coach and Kerry legend Kieran Donaghy was pleased with how the less experienced players performed.
Kieran Donaghy
“I think Joey (Joe Sheridan) took his goal very well when he came on and he’s been showing really well in training.
“Lee Rice did a great job in at the backs. I thought Eoin Woods was very good with his power running in the first half.
“I thought Niall McConville was good,” added Donaghy. “Playmaking really in the first half, I think he had two assists in the first half, got a point and then came back on and got a point in the second half.
“It was great to see those fellas moving around like that. They’ve been the guys that have been carrying the can really in training.
“They’re really eager to make ground. They’ve been doing a great job in preseason and it’s nice to see them get their reward and nice to get back out playing games.
“That slog for players is always a tough one. But to get them out in the Athletic Grounds again in front of a brilliant Armagh crowd that came to the game tonight, it’s a nice way to kickstart the year.”
