Armagh’s Finnian Moriarty isn’t reading anything into Derry’s relegation from Division 1 - even after Armagh’s Division 2

final win over Down at Croke Park over the weekend.

Armagh , on the way up, may be passing Derry on the way Down, but it will matter little in Celtic Park in three weeks time.

One battle ends, and another is fast approaching on the horizon.

Moriarty is expecting a battle when Armagh meet Derry in the preliminary round of the Ulster championship.

Derry failed to beat the drop on points scored, despite a win on the last day over a Galway side with little to play for.

Moriarty said: “They were getting beat by two or three points in their matches., and beat Galway in their last match.

“Obviously the standard is a bit higher in Division 1 than in Division 2. That’s why Down and Armagh wanted to be in

Division 1.

“It’ll be a battle in Celtic Park, and we’ll be ready and I’m sure Derry will be ready. That’s where our focus is now.”

Moriarty believes the last quarter of the weekend win over Down was f=great preparation for the championship.

Armagh finished strongly, with substitutes Malachy Mackin, Stefan Forker and Jamie Clarke helping them power over the

finish line for a richly deserved 0-17 to 1-12 win.

Moriarty said: “it’s good to get another win - but we’re glad to be at championship pace.

“It was definitely championship pace in the last 10, 15 minutes, so we’re very happy with it that way.

“It was always going to be a tight game. It was more the performance than anything we were looking for, especially with

the championship only three week away.”

Armagh also hoovered up some valuable Croke Park experience along the way, with the likes of Gareth Swift, Ryan

Henderson, James LAvery, Clarke and Forker getting a taste of the big time.

However, Moriarty doesn’t believe that Armagh’s previous experience of Croke Park was a major benefit in the win.

He said: “If you go back to I suppose 2005, 2006 there’s not many who played on the starting team then, so I don’t think

that was a factor to be honest. We had a ton of boys who had never played in Croke Park before.”

Armagh also had revenge on their mind after their “embarrassing” 1-13 to 1-6 defeat in Newry five weeks ago, when they

were blown out of the water in the first-half.

Moriarty was red-carded that day, as Martin Clarke went off injured after 20 minutes.

He said: “Obviously Down knew we were going to be coming looking for a wee bit of payback, but in fairness the match in

Newry, there was only two points in it when I got sent off.

“There wasn’t as big a gap there as it looked. It was very embarrassing in Newry, for the supporters and for us. It was

good to get another opportunity to play Down again.”

Moriarty man-marked Clarke yesterday and held him scoreless from play, although Clarke did hit some fine passes and

converted some immense free kicks.

Wolfe Tones Derrymacash man Moriarty said: “he’s a good player. You have to keep concentrating the whole match to

keep and eye on him. Martin played well. He’s a big plus for Down.”

On a personal level, Moriarty is one of the most improved players in Ulster over the last few years and has clearly worked

hard on his game, his athleticism and his power. He is comfortable playing across the half-back line or at corner-back and

can do a man-marking job.

Moriarty is also very mobile and is comfortable in possession as well as being a fine finisher, as he showed with a fine

point last Sunday.

Armagh had six different scorers from play, including half-back Paul Duffy and subs Forker and Mackin, but they are

looking for more scores form their starting midfield and attack.

Moriarty said: “I don’t know who scored, I’ll be honest. You just be concentrating on your own game. I know Stevie

McDonnell scored six or seven.

“If somebody goes, somebody has to cover, it’s as simple as that.”