Allianz Football League: All-Ireland champions Armagh crush Tyrone in dominant home win

The late inclusion of Ethan Rafferty, a goalkeeper who looks ‘oven ready’ for the new rule enhancements, was notable for Armagh and with that strong wind in the first half, their intent to go for two-pointers at every opportunity was obvious.

Rafferty scored 0-4 of Armagh’s first-half total from two long-range scores.

With Aidan Forker and Ross McQuillan also scoring from outside the arc, Armagh managed a whopping 0-8 from four two-pointers before the break.

It would have been 0-10, only goalkeeper Niall Morgan got a hand to an effort from Andrew Murnin as the ball sailed over his head, which automatically reduced the score back to one point.

Tyrone were well off the pace in a first half dominated by the All-Ireland champions, back on home soil for the first time since lifting Sam Maguire last summer.

The fans expected, and Kieran McGeeney’s side delivered with a performance brimming with confidence, cohesion and a new-found understanding of the new rules which seemed to be lacking in Salthill last weekend.

Murnin’s goal came after 20 minutes. Oisin Conaty threaded a pass through to Rory Grugan, who squared the ball across to Murnin flying in at the back post, and he palmed it beyond Morgan.