Donegal Celtic 3-0 Armagh City

Paul McVeigh's goals are proving precious for Donegal Celtic

Paul McVeigh's hat-trick helped ease Donegal Celtic's Carnegie Premier League relegation worries as they defeated struggling Armagh City.

Armagh's Conor Forker went close on 18 minutes and he should have scored on 36 minutes when he fired over.

McVeigh hit Donegal Celtic's opener on 43 minutes after Rory Hamill's cross.

DC's lead was doubled by McVeigh's penalty (60) after Gary Fitzpatrick had handled and a 75th-minute free-kick completed the striker's hat-trick.

McVeigh curled his free-kick home from 25 yards after Ciaran Gargan had been fouled.

The DC striker was involved in a late scuffle with Armagh's Mark Gracey but referee Adrian McCourt, who had been a late replacement for injured Michael McLaughlin, believed that a stern talking-to was appropriate rather than any further action.

The win moves Donegal Celtic seven points clear of the relegation play-off spot.

In contrast, Armagh drop further into the relegation mix as they stay only two points clear of second bottom Institute.