Derry 1-13 Armagh 1-8:This was a worrying day in south Armagh. The market town of Crossmaglen was festooned in black and amber in anticipation of the St Patrick's Day club finals.
And on the Rangers home pitch, how sorely Armagh missed the local boys. Take no notice of the five-point difference; Derry inflicted a bad beating on their old rivals here.
Afterwards, Kieran McGeeney and Paul McGrane, muddied veterans of countless such Sundays, had a private conversation on the edge of the field. Leaning against the railings of the changing rooms where he has enjoyed terrific days, Joe Kernan looked out at the world from under a black woollen hat and offered a sobering view of the day.
"Division Three is staring Armagh in the face at this minute in time. And that would be a disgrace for us to allow that to happen after all the good work of the last four of five years.
"We didn't play at all today. They didn't do what we asked them to do. There was no drive at all today, which was disappointing for an Armagh team. We didn't match Derry's tenacity.
"I think we need a wee row in the camp this week and it might help. The amount of ball we kicked away was a joke. Some boys did well today. I thought Paul Keenan and Páidí McCreesh, two lads who were on the fringe, did themselves a world of good out there. But other boys will have to look at themselves.
"We will be making decision in a few weeks when the Cross boys come back and some boys just mightn't be here. And that's how simple it is."
Sometimes league defeats signify nothing more than a bad day at the office, but the sheer deadness of the Armagh performance suggested a deeper malaise. Derry looked comfortable throughout. In wretched rain, they entertained the crowd of 2,500 with stylish football, building swiftly from the back and delivering quality ball to their forwards.
The fourth-minute goal stemmed from hapless Armagh defending, Ruairi Murray fisting a high ball that floated past goalkeeper Ciarán McKinney. But it was the sight of Mark Lynch embarking on a daring solo run before turning infield and firing at the Armagh goal that was the eye opener. Since when does the Armagh defence permit that sort of effrontery? Derry had the run of Crossmaglen and they worked some beautiful points.
Back since Ballinderry's 2001 All-Ireland, Conleth Gilligan has been advertising his attacking skills and here he fired six points and was involved in much of the Derry's attractive approach play.
The rangy James Conway had an impressive day at midfield and the back six were in stunning form. Armagh's half-forward line was obliterated.
Full back Kevin McCloy, who has perhaps lived in the shadow of Barry Owens and Francie Bellew these last few seasons, gave a master class, a 70th-minute block on Martin O'Rourke's goal attempt the high point of his afternoon. Kevin McGuckin successfully tailed Stevie McDonnell. Joe Keenan popped up everywhere.
Overall, it was the perfect response to the controversial departure of Eoin Bradley from the squad, and a clearly pleased Paddy Crozier suggested the situation was far from hopeless.
In a week when Paisley and Adams saw eye to eye in the North, it seems highly likely the talented Glenullin man can get over his row with the Derry boss.
"We had an internal problem and we dealt with it," said Crozier. "The door is always open for every football player in Derry and that includes Eoin Bradley."
Derry have been uneven in the league and this performance was a reminder they are capable of posing a real threat in Ulster and across Ireland this summer.
What of Armagh? It was, undeniably, a grim day. The return of Diarmuid Marsden brought the loudest cheer of the day and when Kieran McGeeney came on early in the second half, the Orchard County looked half-way recognisable again.
But given Paul McGrane's goal came from a harmless 50-yard punt that Derry goalkeeper Barry Gillis carried behind the line, they were way off the pace.
For the remainder of the half, they were outscored by 0-7 to 0-2 and they failed to land any score for 22 minutes of the second half.
Armagh are against the wall and Joe Kernan's bleak prognosis may come true in the short term.
But the feeling here is that Big Joe will use this bleak day as a point of no return. Armagh have another big shout in them. There is no way they'll bow out quietly.
DERRY: B Gillis; K McGuckin, K McCloy, J Keenan; P Cartin, SM Lockhart, G O'Kane; F Doherty, J Conway (0-2); R Murray (1-0), C Gilligan (0-6, 4 frees), M Lynch (0-1); R Wilkinson (0-1), E Muldoon (0-1), P Bradley (0-2). Subs: G Donaghy for R Murray (40 mins), L Hinphey for G O'Kane (57 mins), M McGoldrick for P Cartin (61 mins, inj), R Convery for F Doherty (69 mins).
ARMAGH: C McKinney; A Mallon, E McNulty, F Moriarty; P McCreesh, C McKeever, T McClelland; P McGrane (1-0), J Lavery; P McKeever, C Vernon, M O'Rourke (0-1); S McDonnell (0-4, 3 frees), M Mackin, P Keenan (0-3). Subs: JP Donnelly for T McClelland (20 mins), D Marsden for M Mackin (26 mins inj), K McGeeney for C McKeever, K Toner for C Vernon (both 43 mins), S Forker for P McKeever (64 mins).
Referee: P McEnaney (Monaghan).
