Armagh 1-15 Dublin 0-7
All-Ireland champions Armagh returned to the scene of their greatest success to record an 11 point Division 1A mauling of Dublin at Croke Park today.
Armagh beat Dublin last season in a thrilling All-Ireland semi-final contest en route to the final victory over Kerry and served up another masterful display this afternoon to open their league account in style.
Despite a low scoring opening to the game - Armagh led 0-2 to 0-1 after 20 minutes - both sides progressed to treat the 54,000 strong attendance to inventive and entertaining football.
Armagh did take time to settle but once they found a rhythm their superb forward division took the game by the scruff and opened up a telling advantage. Steven McDonnell (2), Oisin McConville (3) and Paul McGrane (2) all found their range in the opening period.
Dublin failed to make use of a strong breeze in the first half and found the formidable Armagh defence difficult to penetrate. They trailed 0-7 to 0-3 at the break
Barry Duffy's fisted goal three minutes into the second half deflated the home side and when Diarmuid Marsden and Aidan O'Rourke added further points soon after Dublin were left searching for mere consolation scores.
- League champions Tyrone were denied a point in Dr.Hyde Park after a late injury-time score from Gerry Lohan saw Roscommon secure both points.
Roscommon, under the guidance of former Dublin boss Tommy Carr, had half-forward Jonathan Dunning sent-off after 15 minutes but nevertheless clawed back from a 0-8 to 0-4 half-time deficit to oust a depleted Tyrone side at the death.
- Spectators in Tuam saw Galway run out comfortable winners over Donegal in an entertaining game played in atrocious conditions.
Galway, who are without the suspended Padraig Joyce for the opening rounds, got off to a flyer with 18-year-old Michael Meehan scoring 1-2 from play within 10 minutes.
Derek Savage and Kieran Comer extended that lead before Donegal hit back on the half-hour mark. Damien Diver saw his effort smack off the upright but Johnny McCafferty was on hand to steer the rebound past Galway 'keeper Alan Keane.
Galway led by five points (1-9 to 1-4) at the break and were never in danger of relinquishing that margin in the second period. Keane made a superb save to deny Donegal a second goal and with that their challenge faded.
National Football League
Division 1A
Roscommon 0-11 Tyrone 0-10
Dublin 0-7 Armagh 1-15
Galway 1-16 Donegal 1-8
Division 1B
Kildare 2-10 Cavan 3-9
Mayo 2-8 Sligo 1-10
Meath 0-7 Laois 0-11
Fermanagh 0-6 Down 0-8
Division 2A
Louth 2-10 Offaly 2-12
Leitrim 1-10 Limerick 1-11
Wicklow 0-5 Westmeath 2-16
Division 2B
Carlow 0-12 Longford 3-13
Tipperary 1-6 Clare 1-12
Wexford 0-15 Waterford 1-8
Derry P-P Monaghan
Walsh Cup SH semi-finals
Dublin 2-11 Laois 1-9
Offaly 1-13 Kilkenny 4-15
Kehoe Cup SH semi-finals
Louth 1-9 Monaghan 1-5
Kildare 1-15 Longford 1-10