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Fermanagh can look ahead to life in Division Two next season after drawing with Wexford in Lisnaskea.
Neighbours Leitrim did them a huge favour by condemning Down to a one-point defeat in Carrick-on-Shannon.
The Erne men though did it the hard way, having to play the entire second-half with 14 players after defender Shane Goan was red carded as the sides left the pitch at half-time.
Referee Martin Sludden's report will make interesting reading when it lands in Croke Park later this week for there was a massive brawl as he sounded his whistle for half-time with both sets of players involved.
Fermanagh boss Malachy O'Rourke is entitled to feel well satisfied at winning promotion at the first time of asking and without losing a game.
"It was a bit too close for comfort at the finish, but it just shows the value of hanging in when things aren't going your way," he said.
"We were up against it for long periods in the second-half when reduced to 14 men and Wexford actually went ahead, but our lads kept their composure, never panicked and kept working.
"No disrespect to Down, but I was relieved to see results elsewhere going our way. It was a strange game in that we started so well with the two early goals, but instead of pressing forward, we seemed to wait and allowed our opponents back into the match.
"It was very much back to the walls stuff in the second-half and while we only scored three points in the entire second half they actually made all the difference.
"I didn't see the actual sending off, but I know that while Shane Goan is a very competitive player, he's not the kind of player who gets sent off.
"I doubt very much if he's ever been red carded before in his career."
Down's shock defeat by Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon ended their promotion hopes for another season, losing by the minimum margin.
In fairness to Down boss Ross Carr he refused to offer any excuses and was typically honest in his assessment.
"Coming here to Carrick-on-Shannon our destiny was very much in our own hands, but after a very insipid first 35 minute we left ourselves with far too much to do," he said.
"The reality is that we were guilty of too many unforced errors which inevitably placed additional pressure on the defence.
"Leitrim in fairness played with far greater intensity and it was only in the second-half that we came close to matching them. We've done this too often this season, getting ourselves into match winning situations only to fall away again."
Games against Meath in Navan are always tough and uncompromising, but Armagh will be hugely disappointed not only at having come off second best, but having conceded three goals.
Armagh success over the last decade has been built on a tenacious and resolute defence.
Rediscovering the art of defence has to be a priority in remaining league matches beginning with Dublin on Sunday in Crossmaglen.
