Derry's errant finishing proved costly as they trailed the Orchard men 0-6 to 0-4 at the break.

The Oak Leafers started the second half well and Paddy Bradley levelled it only for Armagh to go clear after substitute John Toal's goal on 50 minutes.

Armagh's experience was vital as they booked a place in the 10 July decider.

A superb point from Paddy Bradley put Derry ahead in the first minute of an entertaining first half.

Aaron Kernan levelled 60 seconds later before two Stephen McDonnell points gave Armagh the early initiative.

Bradley reduced the gap but Armagh responded with points from Oisin McConville and Martin O'Rourke.

The Oak Leafers were creating chances but their finishing was wasteful with Bradley putting three frees wide.

Derry half-forward Eoin Bradley made it 0-5 to 0-3 on 28 minutes only for Armagh to restore the three-point margin two minutes later through Brian Mallon.

Paul Murphy slotted over for Derry in injury time to keep the game close going into the second half.

Derry forward Enda Muldoon pointed three minutes after the break with Ronan Clarke restoring the two-point gap on 40 minutes.

Derry were beginning to control possession but again their finishing was letting them down.

However, Bradley put over another classy point before squaring the game in the 46th minute from a free.

The tie now hung in the balance and it was Armagh who grasped the imitative, first with a free from Kernan.

The turning point came on 50 minutes when Kernan's shot was blocked and Toal followed up to smash the ball into the net from close range.

Brian Mallon and Kernan stretched the lead before Bradley gave Derry a lift with a 45-metre free.

The impressive Mallon sent over another free to make it 1-11 to 0-8 with just seven minutes left.

Late points from Eoin Bradley and Mark Lynch were not enough to deny Armagh a place in the Croke Park final.

Armagh: P Hearty; A Mallon, F Bellew, E McNulty, A Kernan, K McGeeney, A O'Rourke, P Loughran, P McGrane, M O'Rourke; J McEntee, O McConville; S McDonnell, R Clarke, B Mallon.

Derry: B Gillis; K McGuckin, K McCloy, G O'Kane; P Wilson, SM Lockhart, P Kelly; F Doherty, Patsy Bradley; P Murphy, M Lynch, E Bradley; AN Other, Paddy Bradley (capt); E Muldoon.

Fixtures
Saturday
Nicky Rackard Cup
Group 3A, round 2
Fermanagh 1-15 3-10 Sligo
Donegal 3-12 1-11 Tyrone
Group 3B, round 2
Cavan 2-04 4-21 Louth
Leitrim 3-06 9-07 Armagh
Group 3C, round 2
London 1-20 2-11 Monaghan
Warwickshire 2-07 1-15 Longford

Christy Ring Cup
Group 2A, round 3
Derry 1-14 2-11 Meath
Down 5-25 2-08 Roscommon
Westmeath: Bye
Group 2B, round 3
Kildare 4-17 4-04 Mayo
Carlow: Bye.

Guinness Liam McCarthy HC, round 1
Antrim 1-09 4-25 Limerick

Bank of Ireland Ulster SFC, semi-final replay
Tyrone 3-19 0-07 Cavan

Sunday
Bank of Ireland Ulster SFC semi-final.
Armagh 1-11 0-10

Bank of Ireland FC qualifier, round 1
Wicklow 0-12 0-16 Donegal

Guinness Munster SHC, final
Cork 1-21 1-16 Tipperary