Ciaran Downey fists another Louth point after Karl O'Connell gifts possession to the Wee County with a dreadful pass. That could have been even worse for the Farney men but Downey was content to take his point.

Conor Turbitt closes out the half's scoring, taking his personal tally to 1-3.

Derry have been in total disarray through the first 35 minutes and, to Armagh's credit, they are being duly punished.

Armagh lead by eight at the break and it is hard to see how Derry come back from here.

It's just been a shootout in Kingspan Breffni between Antrim and Sligo with both teams going all-out attack.

Sligo seemed to be taking a grip when pushing out to lead by five after 25 minutes, but a good trim rally into the break culminated with the excellent Ryan McQuillan nudging them ahead.

McQuillan has top-scored with four points for the Saffrons who have seven different names on the board, while Sligo have six with Nially Murphy leading the way with five points.

Sam Mulroy hits his first score from play after Conor Grimes wins a kickout following Rory Beggan's long-range placed ball miss at the other end. But Ciaran McNulty responds with a Monaghan point seconds later to leave a kick of the ball between the sides again as Vinny Corey introduces Conor McManus for Jack McCarron.

Time and again Armagh have hurt Derry on the counter attack in this game, with the Oak Leaf County leaving themselves wide open whenever they get turned over.

Barry McCambridge settles for a fisted point on this occasion, but it was certainly a chance to get a third goal for Armagh.

Louth's lead was only two after Monaghan corner-back Ryan O'Toole's made one of his regular forays upfield to point but Ryan Burns has got the Wee County's first score of the second half to put them three ahead once more.

Shane McGuigan converts a free to bring Derry closer. With just a few minutes to go until half-time, can they reel Armagh in further before the break?

Dermot McAleese with a huge block as it seemed certain Cian Lally was about to find the net for Sligo.

Prior to that, Joseph Finnegan brought Antrim to within one and since, Paddy McBride draws Antrim level from a free.

Still a few minutes from half-time and it has been a very open game. Great for the neutral, as they say.

It's been a tense opening quarter in this Nicky Rackard Final.

Mayo seem to be getting their scores just a little bit easier than Donegal are at the moment.

Both teams look well up for this contest. This could get interesting!

Image source, BBC Sport

Gary Mohan lofts over a 38th-minute point for Monaghan - although it looked a questionable score - and suddenly there is only a kick of the ball between the sides.

Derry appeal for a penalty and they may have a case!

Barry McCambridge appears to pull down Shane McGuigan inside the small square, but the referee David Coldrick waves their shouts away.

Micheal Bannigan has pulled a point back for Monaghan after Jack McCarron fired a wide in the first half of the second half. That's eight wides for Monaghan with Louth having only hit one.

Diarmuid Baker points for Derry, but Armagh's Aidan Forker responds.

Antrim have put a spell together and have scored the last three to get back to within two. Exactly what they needed.

The game is back on at St Tiernach's Park. Louth were in control in the first half but there is still plenty of time for Monaghan to get back into this one. Karl O'Connell has been introduced at half-time for Kieran Duffy.

Armagh lead by seven following a Conor Turbitt free and a Tiernan Kelly point.

Whilst Armagh have been very good so far, Derry need to sort themselves out here before this game gets out of reach.

Sligo stretching the lead with two from Niall Murphy but the other Ruairi McCann (Creggan one) pulls one back.

But yes again, Sligo come up with the next score, this one from Sean Carrabine and Murphy adds another.

Antrim looking for that direct long ball into 'big' Ruairi McCann (the Aghagallon one) but he has been well marshalled by Eddie McGuinness so far. Ryan McQuillan kicks a free but Sligo are responding each time and Cian Lally hits back.