Donegal 2-10
Armagh 1-8

Two Michael Murphy goals sealed Donegal's return to the top flight and sent Armagh crashing through the relegation trapdoor to Division 3 at the Athletic Grounds.

Whereas Donegal can now look forward to a Division 2 final against Monaghan, Armagh join already-relegated Louth in making the drop by virtue of their defeat to Galway who survive. Jim McGuinness' men had opened up a 0-4 to 0-2 lead thanks to two points each from Colm McFadden and Rory Kavanagh, with Kyle Carragher and Aaron Kernan replying for the home side, before Murphy netted a penalty after McFadden had been taken down.

Jamie Clarke responded with 1-1, and Paul Durcan was called upon to make a fine save from Stefan Campbell, as the Orchard County reduced the leeway to two points, 1-3 to 1-5, at the break.

But the 2012 All-Ireland champions took control again four minutes after the restart when Murphy fielded a high ball from Kavanagh before shrugging aside the challenge of Charlie Vernon and finishing to the net.

Tony Kernan kept Armagh in it with a brace of points, but Paddy McBrearty came off the bench to score a couple of points and keep the Tir Chonaill men - who had David Walsh black carded late on - in front.

Donegal - P Durcan; E McGee, N McGee, K Lacey; F McGlynn, L McLoone, A Thompson; R Kavanagh (0-2), N Gallagher; C Toye, M McElhinney, O MacNiallais; C McFadden (0-6, 5f), M Murphy (2-0, 1-0pen), D Molloy. Subs: P McBrearty (0-2) for N Gallagher, David Walsh for C Toye, R McHugh for D Molloy, H McFadden for M McElhinney, Declan Walsh for David Walsh (BC).

Armagh - P McEvoy; M Murray, C Vernon, F Moriarty; A Kernan (0-1), K Toner, A Mallon; S Campbell, S Harold; E McVerry, G McCooey (0-1), K Dyas; J Clarke (1-1), T Kernan (0-3, 2f, 1'45), K Carragher (0-1). Subs: A Findon for A Kernan, E Rafferty for K Dyas, R Grugan for G McCooey, R Tasker (0-1) for J Clarke.

Referee - F Kelly. Tweet

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