Crossmaglen opened the defence of their Armagh SFC title with an emphatic 3-16 to 0-11 victory over Sarsfields at the Athletic Grounds last night.

With county captain Jamie Clarke taking a nine-month sabbatical, Johnny Murtagh stepped up to the plate with a haul of 2-2, while Michael McNamee raised the other green flag for the black and ambers, who had full back Brendan McKeown sent off midway through the second half.

In the Armagh city derby, Ultan Lennon's fisted goal eight minutes from time proved decisive as Armagh Harps overcame Pearse Og by 1-11 to 0-10.

Gareth Mackin and Eugene Casey hit two goals each as last year's runners-up St. Patrick's, Cullyhanna trumped Dromintee 5-9 to 3-6. Stefan Forker scored 0-5 for Maghery in their 2-10 to 0-12 victory over Killeavy at Pearse Og Park on Saturday night, while Whitecross cruised to a 1-22 to 2-7 win over Tir na nOg at the same venue.

In the weekend's other first round games, Carrickcruppen beat Madden 2-6 to 0-8, Granemore edged out Ballymacnab 1-11 to 0-13, while Annaghmore overcame Shane O'Neill's 3-12 to 1-8. Tweet

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