Mayo saw off Armagh on a comprehensive 2-25 to 2-7 scoreline at the Box-It Athletic Grounds this afternoon to get their 2026 Nickey Rackard Cup campaign off to a winning start.

Having led by 0-18 to 2-2 at half-time, the visitors struck goals via Corey Scahill and Cormac Phillips in the second-half to cruise to an 18-point victory in the end.

In Garvaghey, Tyrone made their goals count in a 4-10 to 0-15 win against Division 4 champions Sligo.

Shea Munrone’s goal three minutes in set the tone for the Red Hands and they’d net twice more through Turlough Mullin and Munrone to move towards a 3-6 to 0-4 half-time lead.

Niall McGarel raised the hosts’ fourth green flag five minutes into the second-half as they went on to record a seven-point victory and deal the Yeats men their first competitive defeat of the season in the process.

Meanwhile, Conor Murphy’s goal midway through the second-half proved key for Louth as they defeated Fermanagh by 1-16 to 0-15 in Darver.

The Wee County held a 0-8 to 0-7 lead at the halfway stage but saw centre half-back Michael O’Shea red-carded late in the first-half, with the Ernesiders staying within a score until Murphy found their net and two late points from Darren Geoghegan helped to ensure the opening win for Louth.

In the Lory Meagher Cup, last year’s beaten finalists Cavan were 3-14 to 0-15 winners over Warwickshire at Kingspan Breffni.

Ollie Bellew’s side trailed by 0-12 to 1-5 at half-time before moving in front within 10 minutes of the resumption and a late brace of goals from Mark Moffett would ensure their first round victory.

Longford were too strong for Lancashire at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, where Niall Hawes, Ronan Courtney, Dan Crossan, Johnny Casey and Reuben Murray (1-14) netted the hosts’ goals in an emphatic 5-21 to 1-6 win, while Leitrim scored a 2-13 to 2-9 victory against Monaghan in Carrick-on-Shannon.

Gavin O’Hagan found the Farney men’s net after seven minutes and Michael O’Brien did likewise 15 minutes into the second-half as the hosts were able to see out the four-point win despite a late Niall Arthur goal.

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