All-Ireland Series: Armagh get off to winning start against Westmeath

The winning of the game came in its third quarter, as Armagh outscored their opponents 0-5 to 0-0.

Following a fairly pedestrian first half display, Kieran McGeeeny’s came out for the second half showing much more pace, drive and urgency.

After two wides in the first half, Oisin Conaty found his range after the break with two superb scores, either side of a rare right-footed score from Grugan.

Andrew Murnin added his first of the day to push the lead out to five, before a Grugan free made it six.

With 20 minutes gone in the second half, Westmeath finally had their first score – via Kevin Maguire, but they seemed to lack ideas on how to penetrate through Armagh’s resolute defence during the second period.

As he did against Down and Donegal, Aidan Nugent made his mark from the bench with two points to help Armagh coast to victory down the stretch.

Both sides had a late goal chance apiece, but Conaty was denied by Jason Daly in a one-on-one, before Blaine Hughes tipped a low Stephen Smith shot past the post in the last minute of normal time.