They shot 14 wides, more than twice as many off-target efforts as their infinitely more efficient opponents, but have a fortnight to address their problems before they enter the minefield of the Qualifiers series.

Joe Kernan's first year in charge at Armagh has restored the county to provincial greatness, with Ronan Clarke, Steven McDonnell and Oisin McConville picking off some superb scores.

Kernan owes a great debt of gratitude to his defence, particularly the McNulty brothers, Justin and Enda, who snuffed out the threat posed by Donegal twin strike force, Brendan Devenney and Adrian Sweeney.

Donegal were rocked by a John McEntee goal after just two minutes, the Armagh centre forward punching against the crossbar and reacting sharpest to finish the rebound to the net past Tony Blake.

But it was Donegal who looked the more composed side on the ball, John Gildea and Barry Monaghan driving them forward into promising attacking positions time after time.

Their finishing, however, was hopelessly inadequate, a total of eight first half wides to Armagh's one telling a sorry tale of unforgivable wastefulness.

Adrian Sweeney and Paul McGonigle did hit the target, with teenager Christy Toye weighing in with two superb scores.

They were just a point behind by the midway stage of the first half, but Armagh regrouped, and eased ahead through Diarmuid Marsden, who also missed an open goal, Ronan Clarke and Oisin McConville.

Brendan Devenney and Sweeney kept Donegal very much in contention, but a long range free from McConville sent Joe Kernan's men in at the break with a 1-6 to 0-6 advantage.

McDonnell and McConville, now working sweetly together, stretched the advantage, with Donegal continuing to squander chance after chance.

The Orchard side led by 1-11 to 0-9 when Donegal suddenly struck gold.

Almost from nothing, Devenney sent midfielder Jim McGuinnesss through, and his shot rocketed to

the net at Brendan Tierney's near post.

Now just a goal separated the sides, but Armagh were unruffled, they kept their heads, regained control, and the slick movement up front saw Clarke deliver two killer blows before McDonnell brought his tally to three.

The Anglo-Celt Cup was on its way back to Armagh.