Football

Armagh and Donegal win home Division One clashes against Tyrone and Dublin

McGeeney and McGuinness will be glad that their sides claimed two points in a tight Division One of the Allianz Football League

Jim McGuinness speaks to the huddle before Donegal's Ulster Championship win over Tyrone in Celtic Park earlier this year. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin
Jim McGuinness and his Donegal panel finally get their season started against Dublin at home. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin

Donegal and Armagh came out on top in their National Football League fixtures against Dublin and Tyrone on Saturday evening.

The new rules played their part in the result as both Ulster sides used the two-point arc to further their respective causes and both matches made for attacking games.

Armagh’s first-half scoring display proved the difference between the two sides as Tyrone couldn’t get near their hosts' goal.

The Orchardmen were sitting pretty at the break but their fierce rival Red Hands were threatening a comeback early in the second half but it proved a step too far for Malachy O’Rourke’s side as they crossed the Blackwater River empty-handed.

In Ballybofey, Donegal started their season off in the best way as Dublin came to MacCumhaill Park and left with nothing.

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Jim McGuinness and his side, minus the returning Michael Murphy, got off to a good start, with Daire Ó Baoill ruling the right wing in the opening 35 minutes and his side had a five-point lead going into halftime.

After the break, Dublin mounted a comeback, with the first three scores going to the Boys in Blue and making the Northwesterners sweat.

The substitutes, including Paddy McBrearty, proved the difference, with the bench providing much-needed fresh legs for the home side to see out a win against the visitors from the capital.

Follow the action as it happened in the blog below as Armagh and Donegal come out of this matchday with two points each...