Roscommon will return to division two again next year after losing 1-17 to 11 points to Armagh in the Allianz Football League relegation play-off at the Athletic Grounds.
Armagh led 1-7 to 0-7 at half-time and a strong second half saw them record a convincing victory.
Roscommon made an impressive start and led five points to two at the first water break. Diarmuid and Ciaran Murtagh each registered two points in the opening quarter while Conor Cox was also on target for the Rossies.
Armagh began the second quarter in explosive fashion and the Orchard men restored parity in the 25th minute thanks to a brace of points from Jemar Hall and one from Rian O’Neill.
Four minutes later, Oisin O’Neill struck for the game’s first goal helping Armagh to a three-point buffer at half-time. Kieran McGeeney’s side picked up where they left off and hit three points before Roscommon opened their second-half account.
Conor Cox eventually ended the barren spell in the 48th minute but the visitors still trailed 1-12 to 0-9 at the second water break. A brace of points from Cox reduced the gap to four points with nine minutes left before Armagh completely took over.
Armagh finished the game with nine points to spare thereby avoiding relegation while Roscommon will return to the second tier next year.
