Division 1A – Crossmaglen 1-8 Madden 1-13
An Aron McKenna goal eight minutes from time secured the two points for Madden in their first outing of the year.
It was Crossmaglen’s second game of the season, following their 13-point win over Killeavy last weekend.
Scores from Conor Grimley (2), Joe Sheridan and McKenna put Madden into a 4-0 lead early in the game.
But a fortuitous goal from Pearse Blessing and a Stephen Morris point got the hosts back on level terms.
Grimley traded points with both Jamie Clarke and Patsy Finnegan before putting the Raparees back in front.
McKenna swapped scores with Ryan Duffy before the half time whistle sounded. Madden led by the minimum, 0-8 to 1-4.
McKenna and Clarke cancelled each other out early on before Clarke chipped over a free to level the game.
Two more Grimley frees put Madden ahead, before McKenna’s three-pointer made five the difference.
Niall Smith and Grimley equalled efforts from Jamie Clarke and Orin McKeown to bring the game to a close.
Granemore 0-4 Armagh Harps 2-4
Two goals from Oisin McGurgan and James McCoy saw defending Division 1A league champions Armagh Harps get their season up and running with a win.
McGurgan slotted home the games first goal inside the opening minute before McCoy pointed a mark.
McCoy was then upended in the square and after dusting himself down coolly dispatched the resulting penalty to the top righthand corner.
Scores from Marty and Pete Carr got Granemore up and running before the break. The Harps lead 2-1 to 0-2.
O’Kane hit a super free for Harps on the restart, which was cancelled out by Marty Carr. McGurgan and Paudie Doyle exchanged scores as Harps ran out six-point winners.
Ballymacnab 0-10 Killeavy 1-10
Killeavy picked up their first win of the season, following their first-round defeat to Crossmaglen last week.
Ciaran Cosgrove’s first half three-pointer was the difference between the sides at the end of the game.
Finnen Maguire opened the scoring for the hosts, while Ronan McGuinness was proving a handful at the other end.
Only two points separated the sides at the break, with Tommy Coleman’s men ahead 1-6 to 0-7.
Killeavy stretched that lead at the start of the second half with points from Cosgrove and Miceal McNamee.
Chris Kerr slotted over a long range free, his second of the game, while Ryan Watters also pointed twice from the dead ball.
McGuinness had the final say however as he’s late score ensured Killeavy left with maximum points.
Mullaghbawn 0-8 Clann Eireann 1-15
Clann Eireann opened their account with an away win over Mullaghbawn, with ten the difference in the end.
A Ruairi McDonald goal after 15 minutes put the Lurgan men in front and they never looked back.
Mullaghbawn closed the gap to just two-points by the break, with Clann Eireann ahead 1-6 to 0-7.
But Ruairi Lavery’s side pushed on after the turnaround, with the scoring power of Jack Conlon keeping them on top.
Conlon finished with 0-5, while McDonald chipped in with 1-3. Aodhan McConville (0-3), Paul McKenna (0-3) and Rioghan Meehan (0-1) also got in on the scoring act.
James French and Emmet Magee scored when introduced from the bench, while there were also good performances from Johnny Torode in midfield and Michael O’Shea at full back.
Division 1B –Dromintee 1-9 Sarsfields 1-10
A late pointed free from Paul McGeown saw Sarsfields picked up a one-point win over Dromintee in their Division 1B opener.
The sides exchanged scores early on, but it was Michael Stevenson’s goal that handed Sarsfields the initiative.
An Oran Loughran brace closed the gap, but Stephen McArdle (45), James McAlinden and McGeown put the High Moss men 1-6 to 0-4 ahead at the break.
Two scores from Aaron Boyle closed the gap at the start of the second half before Kevin McAlinden restored the visitors four-point cushion.
Ryan Hughes and Cathal McKenna swapped scores with Thomas McAlinden and Stevenson before McKenna grabbed a goal for Dromintee.
Jack McArdle split the posts to level the tie, before McGeown point with the last score to earn Sarsfields the two points on offer.
Silverbridge 2-6 Maghery 0-8
Silverbridge earned an eye-catching win over Maghery in their first Division 1B game of the year, with four the difference at full time.
First half goals from Peter Carragher and Fionnan Burns were the crucial scores for Colm Nally’s side.
Those three-pointers kept the home side on top at the halfway stage, with the ‘Bridge ahead 2-3 to 0-2.
They kept ahead in the second half and held on for a four-point victory to kickstart their 2023 campaign.
Shane O’Neill’s 0-13 Grange 1-5
Shane O’Neill’s registered their first league points of the year with a well-deserved win over Grange.
The hosts made a great start to the game and were three points up after ten minutes. Grange then scored two in as many minutes but the Shane’s hit another three points on the trot.
Two further points saw Grange trail by just two but a late first-half free saw the Camlough side go in three points to the good at the interval.
Shane’s began the second half where they left off in the first and fired over a long range point to increase the lead to four.
Patrick Gregory’s side continued to dominate, and a further three points saw them ahead by seven.
Grange tried hard to back into the game but the Shane’s defence, who were excellent throughout, kept the away side at bay before they got their first score of the second-half courtesy of a penalty kick.
Despite all their dominance the Shane’s only led by four at this stage but two brilliant late points ensured the win for the home side, with Grange getting the last point of the game.
