Dr McKenna Cup/Armagh 1-6, Down 1-3: It was meant to be the new-faces show but the old reliables took centre stage. Armagh's veterans Paul McGrane and John McEntee had central roles as the Orchard county edged to victory at Crossmaglen yesterday.
McGrane's midfield mastery, McEntee's cultured finishing and the defensive resilience of the home side ensured an encouraging start to 2005.
Down led by 1-1 to 0-3 at half-time, Aidan O'Prey's goal giving them a slightly flattering advantage. But when Barry Murray hit Armagh's goal early in the second half it provided the encouragement Joe Kernan's side needed to keep their noses in front.
Down mustered only two points in the second half.
ARMAGH: C McKinney; A Mallon, J McNulty, P McCormack; P Duffy, K McKeever, A McCann; J Toal, P McGrane; M O'Rourke, J McEntee (0-3, 2 frees), B Murray (1-3, 3 frees); G Swift, R Austin, K Fearon. Subs: S Kernan for Swift (55 mins); E McNulty for Fearon (56 mins).
DOWN: B McVeigh; D Rafferty, S O'Hanlon, A Rice; M Doran (0-1), J Doran, A Brannigan; C McCrickard, A Scullion; J Lavery, A O'Prey (1-0), J Clarke (0-1); F McGreevy (0-1), R Murtagh, A Fegan. Sub: G Barry for Rafferty (55 mins).
Referee: Aidan McAlynn (Derry).
