Ethan Rafferty reigns as Armagh topple Tyrone

Armagh got their division one campaign up and running with a convincing seven-point win over rivals Tyrone in a thriller in the Cathedral City.

It was fantastic game of football, played in front of 14,366 fans, the first time Armagh have played at home since lifting the Sam Maguire Cup and with Kieran McGeeney's men building up a big enough lead in the first-half to be able to manage the second, despite a gallant fightback from the Red Hands.

Armagh raced into a 14-point lead by half-time with three two pointers helping the margin and they would have had four had Niall Morgan not tapped over Andrew Murnin’s effort.

It was a blistering first of action with both goalkeepers pulling of stunning saves and several top notch scores.

Played in the Box-It Athletic Grounds, Armagh made five late changes before throw-up with Ethan Rafferty replacing Blaine Hughes and Jason Duffy, Ross McQuillan, Jemar Hall and Conor Turbitt replacing Paddy Burns, Jarly Og Burns, Cian McConville and Stefan Campbell respectively, while Tyrone brought Aodhan Donaghy on for Ciaran Daly.

It was Rafferty who bagged the first two-pointer of the evening on 20-minutes to give the Orchard a 1-07 to 0-01 lead.

Andrew Murnin had finished into Tyrone’s net a minute earlier after Oisin Conaty threaded a lovely, measured pass to Rory Grugan who forced keeper Morgan off his line before fist-passing across for Murnin to gratefully tap in. It was a stunning move and in keeping with the spirit of the play that had preceded it.

Armagh win another Tyrone kickout, with Oisín Conaty's superb pass culminating in a goal for Andrew Murnin.