Armagh 3-16 Louth 0-9
The Armagh Masters made a winning start to their championship campaign on Saturday, overcoming Louth by 16-points.
First half goals from Shane McKeever and Austy McKenna sent the Orchard on their way. Colm Nugent also hit the net in the opening stages of the second half.
Armagh led from start to finish, stringing together some excellent pieces of play to control the game comfortably.
McKenna and Seamus McConville opened the scoring before McKeever raised the first green flag of the day following good work from Benny Rafferty.
Centre half forward McKenna added two more points while Cormac McAvoy traded scores with the visiting side.
McConville split the posts for his second score while Chris Rafferty also raced forward to slot over a point.
Colm Campbell fisted over before McKenna added to his tally with a goal. That gave Armagh a 2-9 to 0-2 half time lead.
Dara Edwards pointed with the goal at his mercy at the start of the second half. But that was soon cancelled out with the next Louth attack.
Owen McCormack and Edwards raised white flags before Nugent picked up Armagh third major of the day.
A super score from Eoin Reynolds was sandwiched by two more from Louth, while Ruairi McGeary traded scores with the Wee County.
Francie Nugent and Chris Rafferty tagged on scores late on and Armagh were comfortably ahead when the final whistle sounded.
It’s the perfect start for Paul Cullen’s men, but there will be bigger challenges coming down the road.
They face All-Ireland champions Tyrone in round two, who have a number of household names like Sean Cavanagh and Stephen O’Neill in their ranks.
That game is in three weeks’ time, but for now, the Orchard County will enjoy their opening day victory.
