Armagh produced a remarkable second half performance to stun Dublin in Saturday's All-Ireland Football Qualifier at Croke Park.

Joe Kernan's side looked set for defeat when the Dubs led 0-8 to 0-4 at the interval.

John McEntee hit four crucial points for the All-Ireland champions

However, the transformation of the All-Ireland champions after half-time was incredible.

Spurred on by man-of-the-match Paul McGrane, John McEntee and scorer-in-chief Steven McDonnell, Armagh hit six unanswered points in the third quarter against a visibly wilting home side.

The scores came even though Armagh had lost Paddy McKeever in the 39th minute with the forward dismissed after throwing a punch at Dublin's Darren Homan.

However Dublin's man advantage lasted only three minutes as their goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton was sent off four minutes later after he had kicked out at Steven McDonnell.

At that stage, Dublin were still three points ahead and manager Tommy Lyons described the incident as "pivotal" after the game.

However, it's arguable whether Cluxton's dismissal was that significant.

Such was Armagh's supercharged mood at that stage, a full strength Dublin side would probably have been unable to stem the tide.

It had all been so different in the first half.

Dublin controlled the majority of the exchanges and could have been seven or eight points clear.

Steven McDonnell's scores got Armagh back into the game

In particular, Alan Brogan was guilty of a number of bad misses.

In spite of that, Dublin seemed well on their way to victory at the break with two Ray Cosgrove frees and a beautiful Senan Connell finish contributing three scores in the five minutes before half-time.

Armagh had also lost Oisin McConville with his hamstring problem flaring up again and Ronan Clarke introduced.

It was at that point that Armagh boss Joe Kernan presumably wound up his troops with the kind of half-time team talk that has become his trademark.

Whatever words he delivered, Armagh were a changed team after the interval.

This was the Armagh class of 2002 reborn and Dublin simply didn't know what him them.

With McGrane and McEntee driving the team forward, Armagh, thanks to four McDonnell points, were level by the 49th minute.

McEntee's free then put Armagh ahead two minutes later which was followed by an exquisite point from out near the touchline by McGrane.

Jason Sherlock temporarily lifted the siege with a 52nd minute point but the Dublin attack was proving far too lightweight against a rampant Armagh defence.

With so much at stake, it was always going to be hot and heavy Kieran McGeeney

Armagh then extended their lead to two points on two occasions only for Dublin to reply with immediate scorers.

But with Ciaran Whelan and company marked absent, Armagh were by now dominating midfield and winning virtually all the break ball.

An astonishing point from John McEntee which was quickly followed by substitute Ronan Clarke waltzing through the Dublin defence put Armagh three ahead with six minutes left.

In injury-time, Dessie Farrell got dangerously near the Armagh goals but he sliced his attempt halmlessly wide.

McEntee's point in injury-time was the insurance score but Tommy Lyons' rudderless side were already comprehensively beaten.

Armagh skipper Kieran McGeeney acknowledged that the team had been "fired up" for the second half.

"Neither team wanted to lose at this stage so with so much at stake, it was always going to be hot and heavy," said McGeeney.

"We moved the ball well and ran with it. Everyone contributed to a good team performance".

Dublin: S Cluxton; S Ryan, P Christie, P Griffin; D Henry, J Magee, C Moran; C Whelan, D Homan (0-1); S Connell (0-1), D O'Mahony, J Sherlock (0-2); A Brogan, R Cosgrove (0-5), D Farrell (0-2). Subs: B Murphy, D Magee.

Armagh: P Hearty; A Mallon; E McNulty, F Bellew; A O'Rourke, K McGeeney, A McCann; P Loughran, P McGrane (0-1); P McKeever (0-1), J McEntee (0-4), O McConville (0-1); S McDonnell (0-5), D Marsden (0-2), T McEntee. Subs: R Clarke (0-1).

Referee: Pat McEnaney (Monaghan)