Armagh 1-18 Derry 0-15
Armagh were applauded off the pitch by their supporters in the Athletic Grounds despite suffering relegation from Division Two of the Allianz League.
Kieran McGeeney's side had a comfortable six-point victory over Derry but it wasn't enough to save them, with results elsewhere ensuring they make an instant return to Division Three.
Armagh's last three performances against Galway, Tyrone and Derry were encouraging ones, but the 17-point hammering by Cavan several weeks ago was the result which ultimately proved to be their downfall as they slipped through the trap-door on scoring difference.
For long spells Derry were disinterested and performed like they had little to play for.
Armagh effectively won the game in the 15 minutes before half time with they hit unanswered 1-5, Miceal McKenna with the goal in first-half stoppage time.
After trailing by eight points at the break, Derry did muster a response, closing the gap to three after 55 minutes but Armagh, knowing their league status was on the line played with greater urgency and sense of purpose in the closing quarter.
Derry did have the best of things early on and led 0-03 to 0-01 after six minutes against a strong breeze but Armagh levelled through points from Stefan Campbell and Mark Shields.
Campbell continued his superb form this spring with two brilliant points off either foot as Armagh warmed to their task.
Armagh opened up a two-point lead for the first time, Ciaran O'Hanlon and Gavin McParland on target, but Christopher Bradley scored the second of his two quality first-half points with Emmett McGuckin tying the scores again at 0-7 apiece in the 21st minute.
Armagh completely took over with 1-5 without reply before the interval, Rory Grugan becoming the sixth Armagh player to score from play when he scored two superb left-footed points in a three-minute spell.
Ethan Rafferty converted three left-footed frees in a prolific second quarter and Miceal McKenna's goal in first-half stoppage time gave Armagh an eight-point cushion going in at the break.
Campbell fed Ciaran O'Hanlon whose direct run through the middle had Derry in trouble. He passed across to McKenna who cut in on his left foot to hit the ball low into the net to give Armagh a 1-12 to 0-7 interval lead.
Damian Barton, back on the sideline after serving an eight-week suspension, showed his displeasure with the first-half proceedings by shaking things up during the break.
Mark Lynch, a periphery figure in the first half, was moved from full-forward to midfield with Ryan Bell brought on to the edge of the square.
The second half failed to hit the heights of the first with the free-taking of Mark Lynch and Ethan Rafferty the dominant features.
Derry only hit two points from play in the second half from Ryan Bell and James Kielt, with Armagh looking comfortable against the wind but inaccuracy hurt them with hit eight second-half wides.
Fermanagh's draw against Tyrone and Meath's win over Laois meant it was all coming down to scoring difference in the closing stages and with seven minutes of injury-time, Armagh tagged on late scores through Rafferty, Campbell and Andy Mallon, but it was too little too late to save them from relegation from Division Two for the second time in three years.
ARMAGH: P Morrison; A Mallon (0-1), C Vernon, S Heffron; M Shields (0-1), S Connell, J McElroy; A Forker, E Rafferty (0-7, 7f); R Grugan (0-2), M McKenna (1-1), C O'Hanlon (0-1); C Watters (0-1), S Campbell (0-3), G McParland (0-1)
Subs: T Kernan for McElroy (48), N Grimley for O'Hanlon (55), M McNeice for Morrison (58), A Findon for McParland (69)
DERRY: T Mallon; O Duffy, C McKaigue, K McKaigue; L McGoldrick, B Rogers, D Heavron; C McAtamney, C McFaul; N Loughlin, C Bradley (0-2), J Kielt (0-3, 2f); E McGuckin (0-1), M Lynch (0-7, 7f), SL McGoldrick (0-1)
Subs: E Bradley for McAtamney (34), R Bell (0-1) for SL McGoldrick (HT), C Mullan for L McGoldrick (HT), C Murphy for Loughlin (55), D Mullan for McGuckin (55), C O'Boyle for Kielt (64)
Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford)
