Football League Division Three: Mixed fortunes for Armagh and Antrim

Armagh defender Charlie Vernon feels the impact of this challenge from Offaly's Graham Guilfoyle

Armagh hammered Offaly 6-22 to 0-10 in Division Three while Antrim lost out 2-10 to 1-11 against leaders Louth.

Niall Rowland, Stefan Campbell, Niall Grimley, Andrew Murnin, Rory Grugan and Anto Duffy netted for the Orchard side in a one-sided Athletic Grounds game.

It was much closer in Drogheda with Eoin O'Connor and Ryan Burns getting the Louth goals while Ryan Murray was on target for the Saffrons.

Armagh move up to second with Antrim remaining in relegation trouble.

The Orchard side were aiming to build on last weekend's win over Longford and they made a superb start, surging to a 1-7 to 0-0 lead after just nine minutes.

Blistering start

Rowland fired into the bottom corner while the points came from Stephen Sheridan, Campbell (2), Charlie Vernon, Duffy, Grugan and Murnin.

Offally registered the next four points but there was to be no comeback as the remainder of the game became a procession of Orchard scores.

Murnin set up Campbell for the second goal and Grimley's clinical strike left it 3-10 to 0-6 at the break.

Murnin fisted in after a goalmouth scramble on the restart before Gurgan was presented with a simple finish after a classy Armagh move.

Promotion hopes

Duffy netted the final goal from a Gavin McParland pass as Armagh put themselves in contention for promotion.

"We planned to get a good start and we backed that up with a decent half-time advantage," said Orchard forward Grugan.

"It just clicked for us - there has been a fresh influx of players which has created a buzz and we've pushed on."

Antrim pushed Louth to the end in a close encounter but lost out by two points.

The opening two goals came early in the game with O'Connor hitting the Antrim net before Murray replied for the Ulster visitors.

Ryan Murray netted Antrim's goal in the defeat by Division Three pacesetters Louth

Saffrons forward CJ McGourty slotted over to level but points from Bevan Duffy and Paraic Smith gave Louth a 1-3 to 1-1 lead at half-time.

The teams exchanged scores after the interval with Kevin Niblock (2), CJ McGourty and Paddy McBride adding Antrim points.

Louth were just a point ahead when Ryan Burns scored a point before netting a penalty after he was fouled.

The goal proved decisive although Antrim stayed in touch with the impressive CJ McGouty sending over three points.

Despite the defeat Antrim have moved out of the bottom two on points difference after a heavy defeat for Laois.

WEEKEND ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE RESULTS

SATURDAY

Division One

Cavan 0-11 1-16 Donegal, Breffni Park

Dublin 1-16 0-7 Mayo, Croke Park

Tyrone 0-14 0-10 Monaghan, Healy Park

Division Four

Limerick 1-13 0-12 London, Gaelic Grounds

SUNDAY

Division One

Roscommon 1-13 1019 Kerry, Dr Hyde Park

Division Two

Kildare 4-14 0-14 Fermanagh, Newbridge

Clare 2-11 0-9 Cork, Ennis

Meath 1-13 0-15 Galway, Navan

Derry 1-7 1-15 Down, Celtic Park

Division Three

Tipperary P Longford, Thurles

Armagh 6-22 0-10 Offaly, Athletic Grounds

Louth 2-10 1-11 Antrim, Drogheda

Sligo 0-18 2-10 Laois, Markievicz Park

Division Four

Leitrim 2-14 2-12 Carlow, Carrick-on-Shannon

Waterford 1-11 3-13 Westmeath, Ardmore

Wicklow 0-13 1-13 Wexford, Arklow