Armagh made history at Croke Park today by winning their first-ever national football league title. The Orchard County were in tremendous form as they took league laurels for the first time, completely blitzing a game Wexford outfit to take a mighty 1-21 to 1-14 win. Stephen McDonnell was the star of the show as Armagh showed that they'll take a lot of stopping in this year's championship. Wexford made a super start with a point from captain John Hudson after only 15 seconds but Oisin McConville had the Orchard level within a minute. Mattie Forde floated over a Model County free on three minutes before the same player and Steven McDonnell both had uncharacteristic wides. Brian Mallon hit the leveller in the tenth minute. McDonnell - left-footed - put Armagh in front for the first time and Aaron Kernan sent them further ahead. Forde finally rediscovered his shooting boots with a very good point after three wides and the Model County All Star then set up full forward Hudson for the levelling score, 0-4 apiece after 20 minutes. Redmond Barry put Wexford back in front but John McEntee replied executioner-style. Mallon fired Armagh's sixth point after McDonnell's attempt unluckily rebounded off the post and McDonnell added two more from close-range frees. Corner back Paul McCormack raided upfield to add to the Ulster county's double and Forde's free was cancelled out by towering Armagh full forward Ronan Clarke. Mallon got his third point in the last minute of the first half and McDonnell's injury-time point gave dominant Armagh a double-scores interval advantage, 0-12 to 0-6. On the resumption, Stephen McDonnell was on fire, kicking four points in the space of seven excellent minutes. Mallon also brought his personal tally to four as the Orchard men raced into a massive 0-17 to 0-8 lead. Wexford did manage two points inside the first five minutes of the half but Armagh's scoring burst had those scores quickly looking like mere consolations. Forde popped over a free for the Slaneysiders following a spectacular save from Armagh goalkeeper Paul Hearty and when Mattie landed another free there were seven points between the teams. Armagh's forwards were in unforgiving mood though and Clarke quickly blasted over the best point of the day to leave a bemused look on the face of Wexford boss Pat Roe. Wexford needed a tonic and midfielder Diarmuid Kinsella was the man to provide it when he stormed forward to score a magnificent solo goal for the Leinster side. But Armagh refused to panic and McDonnell steadied Joe Kernan's team with his ninth point of the match. McDonnell had long since sealed the Man of the Match award but he wasn't done yet - in the 58th minute he selflessly set up Paddy McKeever for a goal which put nine point between the teams. A stunning McDonnell point made it 1-20 to 1-10. Oisin McConville decided to get back in on the scoring act and his point was followed by a converted Forde free five minutes from time. Wexford pulled back another couple of points before the end of normal time, but it was to be Armagh's day. A minute into injury time Wexford brought their tally to an impressive 1-14. It would be enough to beat most teams, but nobody would get the better of the Orchard on this scintillating form. Tweet

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