Dublin 0-7 Armagh 1-15

All-Ireland champions Armagh were in devastating form in their opening National league match as they defeated Dublin by 11 points.

There were 54,432 in Croke Park for the repeat of last year's All-Ireland semi-final and they witnessed a surprisingly one-sided contest.

Dublin's young team were always second best and the early indications are Joe Kernan's men will make a strong defence of the Sam Maguire later in the year.

The Dubs got the first point on the board but Armagh responded with a succession of scores.

Oisin McConville scored five points against Dublin

Steven McDonnell, Paul McGrane and Oisin McConville all got among the points and the Orchard county were 0-7 to 0-3 ahead at the interval.

Armagh stetched their advantage in the second half and underlined their superiority when Barry Duffy fisted the game's only goal.

McConville finished with five points, the others coming from Diarmuid Marsden (3), McDonnell (3) McGrane (2), Aidan O'Rourke and Paddy McKeever.

Naturally Armagh boss Joe Kernan was satisfied with the afternoon's work at headquarters.

"We wanted to put on a good performance and I am pleased with the attitude of the players," said Kernna.

"The league may not be our priority but we do not go out to lose any match.

"The performance was good but there were still mistakes which we can have a look at.

"It is only the start of the year and a lot can happen."

Allianz National Football League

Division 1A
Dublin 0-7 Armagh 1-15
Galway 1-16 Donegal 1-8
Roscommon 0-11 Tyrone 0-10

Division 1B
Fermanagh 0-6 Down 0-8
Kildare 2-10 Cavan 3-10
Mayo 2-8 Sligo 1-10
Meath 0-7 Laois 0-11

Division 2A
Leitrim 1-10 Lmierick 1-11
Louth 2-10 Offaly 2-12
Wicklow 0-5 Weatmeath 2-16

Division 2B
Carlow 0-12 Longford 3-13
Tipperary 1-6 Clare 1-12
Wexford 0-15 Waterford 1-08