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The first games of the GAA year proved fruitful for both Down and Armagh with wins over UUJ and Queens respectively in the Power NI Dr McKenna Cup.
On a windy blustery day with the threat of showers not far away the Armagh panel found it difficult to get ahead of Queens who were playing with the wind. Half time arrived with eight points apiece in a game that just lacked a spark. Armagh found their way though in the first fifteen minutes of the second half with a goal from Armagh's Niall McConville coupled with a flurry of points leaving them with a lead of 8 points after 50 minutes.
Queens made a late attempt to get back in the game but it was just too late in the day.
Armagh's new arrival Robbie Tasker was the first to leave the field with the first use of the Black Card rule which saw him being replaced by Stefan Forker.
Top scorers for Armagh were Niall McConville 1:2; Oisin MacÍomhair 0:3; Stefan Forker 0:3 and Ethan Rafferty 0:3
Final Score Armagh 1:17 QUB 0:15
Down had a comprehensive win over Jordanstown at Pairc Esler with the first score of the second half producing a goal from Down's Peter Fitzpatrick which essentially put the game beyond UUJ's reach.
Again the Black Card rule caused some consternation with two Down players replaced.
Top scorers for Down were Mark Poland 0:5; Conleth O'Hare 0:3 and Peter Fitzpatrick 1:0
Final Score Down 1:15 UUJ 0:7
