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Diarmuid Connolly scored three goals for Dublin as the All-Ireland champions hammered Armagh in the Division One match at Croke Park.

The Dubs made a blistering start with Diarmuid Connolly and Tomas Quinn scoring goals inside nine minutes.

Connolly got his second goal in the 28th minute as Dublin romped to a 3-7 to 0-5 advantage.

Armagh battled in the second half and got a goal through Caolan Rafferty but Connolly netted again late in the game.

Connolly also landed two frees to finish on 3-2 while Quinn's tally was 1-3.

The win hoists the Dubs above Paddy O'Rourke's men in the table.

Armagh fans will be wondering just what was going on in those early stages as the Ulster men made a dreadful start.

Full-foward Eoin O'Gara opened the scoring and then Connolly netted a low right-foot shot.

Armagh gifted Dublin their second goal when a loose pass by Declan McKenna led to Quinn getting in to side-foot home.

There could have been a third goal but for Philip McEvoy's fine diving save from Eamonn Fennell's strong shot.

Aidan Forker landed Armagh's first two points while Gavin McParland, on as an early sub for James Lavery, also bagged a couple in the first half.

Rafferty got the Orchard County's goal in the 49th minute, following up after McParland's shot had been saved.

Dublin kept the scoreboard turning and got their final goal through Connolly's cool finish.

The Dubs had Philly McMahon harshly dismissed for second yellow card but it was not going to have any bearing on the outcome of this one-sided encounter.