Armagh Club football & hurling

[armaghniac]

I got a sense there was a certain fragility with Rangers at the start of the Championship, which was maybe a hangover from the defeats of the last two years, and that was evidenced in the first match against Silverbridge, when I felt there were a few things went for Cross in the last quarter which swung a very tight game in their favour. They then made very hard work of overcoming Dromintee - albeit with a man down - but thereafter though, they seemed to grow in belief and swept Maghery aside in the semi-final which I had felt was going to be their biggest hurdle. The final was then a formality.

Rangers undoubtedly have the best team and squad in the County and the victory yesterday will add to the confidence and self belief. I'll be very interested to see how they go in Ulster, although I feel that a provincial title might be beyond them.   

In the first two games Cross' only played in fits and starts and did not engender confidence even among Cross' football people or me. But from the ball was thrown in against Maghery they played with much more enthusiasm and confidence and having disposed of Maghery then the final was a foregone conclusion, as you say. While having a hard working defence these teams did not have a great attack and so there remains a big question mark if Cross' come up against a time that can score like themselves.

apart from Crossmaglen I would safely say they are 5 to 6 better clubs teams in Down than in Armagh, hopefully, we can start getting the buy in like Armagh county get to make us compete again.

It's entirely possible. I honestly feel the standard of club football in our County is terrible.

It actually contrasts with the 1996 - 2006 period, when the Senior Championship in Armagh was actually very strong - Mullaghbawn, Clan na Gael, Pearse Og and Dromintee in particular, all had sides capable of winning Ulster Clubs, but couldn't get out of Armagh due to the exceptional nature and dominance of that great Rangers team.

The likes of Dromintee give Cross' a harder game than most of other ones they had. But in the 2010-2012 period Cross' had less opposition in Armagh, like the final against Ballymacnab.
There was a good crowd at the double bill yesterday, there is good interest in Armagh if the football was better.

let's hope the younger crowd in Rangers want an Ulster medal like their Da or Uncle and perhaps Jamie and Aaron want one last one. 

[general_lee]

apart from Crossmaglen I would safely say they are 5 to 6 better clubs teams in Down than in Armagh, hopefully, we can start getting the buy in like Armagh county get to make us compete again.

It's entirely possible. I honestly feel the standard of club football in our County is terrible.

It actually contrasts with the 1996 - 2006 period, when the Senior Championship in Armagh was actually very strong - Mullaghbawn, Clan na Gael, Pearse Og and Dromintee in particular, all had sides capable of winning Ulster Clubs, but couldn't get out of Armagh due to the exceptional nature and dominance of that great Rangers team.

Apart from Cross and Maghery I would say a lot of teams would struggle to stay in Division 1 in Down. This year Ballyholland and Downpatrick were relegated and I would put them ahead of the likes of Granemore, the Nab and Clann Eireann , Killeavy etc

In the last ten years both Armagh and Down have had 7 different clubs reach a county final. Armagh have had 4 different winners, Down have had 2. I think clubs in Down now have the same mental block playing Kilcoo that clubs in Armagh had in the late 90s/00s when it came to playing Cross. I'd say there's a fairly similar standard outside of Cross, Kilcoo and Burren.

Have played against and watched plenty of Down Division 1 teams over recent years. You are way off the mark if you think Downpatrick or Ballyholland are better than Clann Éireann, Killeavy or Ballymacnab. FYI Maghery got relegated from 1A, Killeavy were a kick of a ball away from winning it and Clann Éireann won last years championship!

[tonto1888]

Maybe your right about CE, it's a bit mad how far they have dropped so quickly. I think in terms of Ulster this year it will be tough as if we get over Ballybay we're are into Kilcoo waiting in the long grass. They have a few weeks to prep themselves and will not want to give up their title easily. Momentum is good though so if we get a decent performance and win against Ballybay we should have nothing to fear

new manager and missing TK. Also were missing Sean McCarthy for Mullaghbawn game. Thats 2 big losses. Turbo and McCambridge didn't play much football with them this summer either due to being in the States. CE will be grand

[general_lee]

Championship draw last night; after straight knockout for a few years we are back to the group stages.
Hard to get excited about with three teams from each group progressing. Main talking point is Group A aka the group of death, 2020 winners Maghery as the bottom seeded team. Groups B & C should be fairly easy to call. Group D there could be a few upsets.

Group A
Killeavy
Ballymacnab
Dromintee
Maghery

Group B
Clann Éireann
Granemore
St Peter's
Grange

Group C
Madden
Armagh Harps
Silverbridge
Shane O'Neill's

Group D
Crossmaglen
Mullaghbawn
Clan na Gael
Sarsfield's

[statto]

Championship draw last night; after straight knockout for a few years we are back to the group stages.
Hard to get excited about with three teams from each group progressing. Main talking point is Group A aka the group of death, 2020 winners Maghery as the bottom seeded team. Groups B & C should be fairly easy to call. Group D there could be a few upsets.

Group A
Killeavy
Ballymacnab
Dromintee
Maghery

Group B
Clann Éireann
Granemore
St Peter's
Grange

Group C
Madden
Armagh Harps
Silverbridge
Shane O'Neill's

Group D
Crossmaglen
Mullaghbawn
Clan na Gael
Sarsfield's

Group C Harps, Madden and Silverbridge will all fancy their chances.  The Bridge won 1b and gave Cross a right rattle in last years championship. 

[marty34]

Championship draw last night; after straight knockout for a few years we are back to the group stages.
Hard to get excited about with three teams from each group progressing. Main talking point is Group A aka the group of death, 2020 winners Maghery as the bottom seeded team. Groups B & C should be fairly easy to call. Group D there could be a few upsets.

Group A
Killeavy
Ballymacnab
Dromintee
Maghery

Group B
Clann Éireann
Granemore
St Peter's
Grange

Group C
Madden
Armagh Harps
Silverbridge
Shane O'Neill's

Group D
Crossmaglen
Mullaghbawn
Clan na Gael
Sarsfield's

Is Armagh a 16 team Division 1 league?

[statto]

Championship draw last night; after straight knockout for a few years we are back to the group stages.
Hard to get excited about with three teams from each group progressing. Main talking point is Group A aka the group of death, 2020 winners Maghery as the bottom seeded team. Groups B & C should be fairly easy to call. Group D there could be a few upsets.

Group A
Killeavy
Ballymacnab
Dromintee
Maghery

Group B
Clann Éireann
Granemore
St Peter's
Grange

Group C
Madden
Armagh Harps
Silverbridge
Shane O'Neill's

Group D
Crossmaglen
Mullaghbawn
Clan na Gael
Sarsfield's

Is Armagh a 16 team Division 1 league?

1A & 1B 8 teams in each two up 2 down. 

[marty34]

Championship draw last night; after straight knockout for a few years we are back to the group stages.
Hard to get excited about with three teams from each group progressing. Main talking point is Group A aka the group of death, 2020 winners Maghery as the bottom seeded team. Groups B & C should be fairly easy to call. Group D there could be a few upsets.

Group A
Killeavy
Ballymacnab
Dromintee
Maghery

Group B
Clann Éireann
Granemore
St Peter's
Grange

Group C
Madden
Armagh Harps
Silverbridge
Shane O'Neill's

Group D
Crossmaglen
Mullaghbawn
Clan na Gael
Sarsfield's

Is Armagh a 16 team Division 1 league?

1A & 1B 8 teams in each two up 2 down.

Ok, thanks.

[statto]

Some really good ties in Senior championship with the standout being St Pauls v Culloville in intermediate.  Tir Na Nog, Cullyhanna and Pearse Og will be fancied to come through their games. 

Kileavey v Clan NaGael- should be an interesting game.  I haven't saw Kileavey this year, but with Tommy Coleman in charge and their scores to date they seem to be playing a more expansive game.  Clans should have won this game last year, but they will need Stefan Campbell to bring a big performance if they are to win. 

Madden v Ballymacnab- think the nab will shade this one, their forward line seems to be moving well its probably now or never for the nab giving age profile of some of their better players. 

Clann Eireann v Silverbridge- Silverbridge been scoring plenty of goals and after losing first day out have been very impressive.  Still think Clann Eireann are a better balanced team and will come through here. 

Cross v armagh harps - after seeing Harps yesterday can only see one winner wasn't impressed with them at all and they have had a poor championship to date.  Cross have the indian sign over them for quite some time and dont see that changing. 

[general_lee]

Killeavy v Clan na Gael
Fancy the Lurgan men for this one, they'll be out to exact revenge for last year. If Killeavy can keep McPartlan quiet that's half the battle, easier said than done though.

Madden v Ballymacnab
Think this one will be really close, just think Ballymacnab have a more dangerous forward unit. For a well established Div1A team, Madden haven't really made much inroads at championship level.

Clann Eireann  v Silverbridge
Don't think there'll be any bow and arrow celebrations in this one. CE will snuff out the Bridge attack and will out score them at the other end.

Cross v Harps
I don't think Harps have a mission here, any team that ships a 15pt defeat at home can't be considered contenders.

[Orior]

It's getting harder to call.

Clann Eireann v Clan Na Gael
CE stronger overall, and I think will give (spoiler alert) Cross a tougher game in the final.

Madden v XMG
Cross to nick it in extra time. Expect at least one red card dished out to Cross.

[5times5times]

https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2023/10/01/news/conleith_gilligan_joins_armagh_backroom_team-3661066/

Suprised this hasnt been mentioned yet.. What do Armagh folk think of the news?

I know he was very well thought of during his time with Kilcoo..

[Orior]

https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2023/10/01/news/conleith_gilligan_joins_armagh_backroom_team-3661066/

Suprised this hasnt been mentioned yet.. What do Armagh folk think of the news?

I know he was very well thought of during his time with Kilcoo..

Do four managers work well together?
Can these four work well together?

I think we're getting the best of both worlds. Build on the last couple of years plus an injection of fresh ideas.

Either way, good for Gilligan's CV.

[Armagh18]

https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2023/10/01/news/conleith_gilligan_joins_armagh_backroom_team-3661066/

Suprised this hasnt been mentioned yet.. What do Armagh folk think of the news?

I know he was very well thought of during his time with Kilcoo..

Do four managers work well together?
Can these four work well together?

I think we're getting the best of both worlds. Build on the last couple of years plus an injection of fresh ideas.

Either way, good for Gilligan's CV.

Is McKeever staying?

[shawshank]

As Aaron Kernan picks up his 18th senior championship medal, it further confirms how crap the senior clubs in Armagh are that they annually role over. What is it Cross are doing the rest of you are not apart from living rent free in your heads.