Despite playing against the wind, Conor Glass kicked the first score of the game on four minutes.
From the very next play, Shane McGuigan raced through after claiming a kick-out, McGuigan opted not to utilise options to his left and right, before blasting wide of the target with a goal on.
Armagh replied in style hitting the next six scores, as they ruthlessly dominated the Derry kick-out.
Conor Turbitt landed a two-pointer before Jason Duffy and Darragh McMullen rattled scores after a brace from Tomas McCormack.
Just as the game looked to be slipping away from the visitors Lachlan Murray nipped in front of Murphy to claim an Armagh restart, before racing clear to fire to the back of the net.
Niall Loughlin followed up with a point from the next attack to leave just the minimum between the sides.
The Ulster champions’ reply was emphatic, for the second time in the contest they rattled off six points without reply.
Kelly ran direct at goal and was fouled in the process, and with a free secured via the advantage rule.
Kelly tried a shot at goal from long range, rifling the ball into the top right corner of the net, one of the best goals you are likely to see in championship ball.
Oisin Conaty raised an orange flag from the next play before Jarly Og Burns extended Armagh’s led to seven points with 21 minutes on the clock, bizarrely this proved to be their last score of the half.
Murray replied for Derry two minutes later with the final score of the half, in that spell Blaine Hughes made a miraculous save to deny Conor McCluskey a goal from point-blank range.
After a breathless half of football, the home side went in at the break leading 1-9 to 1-3.
Leave a Reply