ULSTER MFC FINAL Armagh 1-8 Down 1-5: TWO POINTS in the final minute of normal time by Rory Grugan saw Armagh close out this low-key minor final at the expense of Down in Clones yesterday.

Down created a couple of early chances but it was Armagh who struck first with a point by Peter Carragher in the fifth minute. A minute later Armagh were four in front when Rory Grugan goaled after good work by Conor King. Down dominated the next 15 minutes with Robbie White winning good breaking ball at midfield.

By the 13th minute Down were level, a point from a free by David McKibbin in the 10th minute getting them off the mark and Caolan Mooney rifled to the Armagh net three minutes later after a shot by McKibbin had been blocked.

Armagh retook the lead in the 22nd minute with a point by Robbie Tasker. A minute later Mark Haughey struck a superb point to bring Down level but Armagh ended the half with a point by Tasker to leave them 1-3 to 1-2 ahead at the break.

Armagh restarted well with points from Eugene McVerry (free) and Kealon Downey putting them three in front. Down got it back to the minimum through Kevin McClorey and Robbie White from a free. Eleven minutes in Gavin McParland put Armagh two in front as the standard of play deteriorated. With six minutes left Down’s Darragh O’Hanlon made it a one-point game but they were unable to pull level and Grugan slotted over two late points to see Armagh over the line.

ARMAGH: S O'Reilly; K Downey (0-1), R Finnegan, K Nugent; D McKenna, N Rowland, J Morgan; P Carragher (0-1), J Donnelly; R Grugan (1-2), A Murnin, C King; R Tasker (0-2), E McVerry (0-1), G McParland (0-1). Subs: R Rafferty for A Murnin, D Nugent for C King.

DOWN: J Deeny; R Doran, S McNamee, D O'Hanlon (0-1); K McClorey (0-1), C McClean, F McEvoy; C Mooney (1-0), N McParland; M Haughey (0-1), R White (0-1, free), K Quinn; M Bagnall, R McGarry, D McKibben (0-1, free). Subs: D O'Hare for D McKibben, N Cunningham for K McClorey, P Quinn for R White.

Referee: S McNamee(Tyrone).