McDonnell provides power for Armagh

Armagh 0-16 Sligo 0-8:  Steven McDonnell played a major role as Armagh blitzed Sligo at Markievicz Park yesterday. Joe Kernan's side played with a swagger and he wasn't unduly worried when McDonnell and Martin O'Rourke missed goal chances in the space of 60 seconds.

A superb block by Philip Greene in the home goal denied McDonnell in the 15th minute, and O'Rourke missed an open goal a minute later. Sligo had one goal chance in first-half stoppage time. A high, dropping ball by substitute Gerry McGowan unnerved the Armagh backs and goalkeeper Paul Hearty was fortunate to get a hand to the ball.

Martin O'Rourke and Mark Brehony exchanged points early in the first half but then Sligo allowed the visitors to build a six points to three half-time lead.

Seán Davey got Sligo off the mark after 30 seconds of the second half. John McEntee and McDonnell kept Armagh in control as Sligo failed to raise the flag during a nine-minute spell that saw Armagh double their advantage 0-12 to 0-6. Sligo were battling against the odds as McDonnell and Armagh led their opponents a merry dance.

SLIGO: P Greene; P Naughton, B Phillips, B Kirrane; R Donovan, N McGuire, J Martyn; T Taylor, N Clancy; B Egan, M Breheny (0-2, one free), D McGarty, D McTernan, S Davey (0-3, one free), J Davey. Subs: B Curran for McGarty (yellow card), D Durkin (0-1) for Kirrane (yellow card), A Marren for Egan; G McGowan (0-2, one free) for McTernan, M Langan for Clancy, K Sweeney for Langan (yellow card).

ARMAGH: P Hearty; R Mallon, F Bellew, P McCormack; K McIlvanna, C McKeever, A McCann; J Toal, P McGrane; M O'Rourke (0-1), J McEntee (0-3), O McConville (0-2); S McDonnell (0-5, three frees), R Clarke (0-2), P McKeever (0-2). Subs: G Loughran for McKeever (yellow card), S Kiernan for McConville, G Swift (0-1) for McGrane, M Mackin for Toal (yellow card), A O'Rourke for McIlvanna .

YELLOW CARDS: Sligo: D McGarty, B Kirrane, M Langan); Armagh: C McKeever, J Toal.

Referee: D Goldrick (Meath).