Last County to win an AI and not in Division One

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

In 2002 Armagh were in Division 2A. Lost one game in the league proper away to Kerry before losing to Laois in the Division 2 semi final. Kerry then went on to win Division 2 I think.

I mind that game against Laois very well, big Joe and Grimley almost came to blows and it was possibly the worst league performance I had ever seen an Armagh team have, two of the mates walked out ten minutes before the end, I stayed and was amazed that a team that talented could get two shades o shite bate out of them by Laois.

A few months later I was on a plane and watched the same team beat Kerry in the AIF, pure unadulterated joy that will never be equaled for me!

Where was that Laois game played? It's doing my head in here, just can't remember.

I remember in 2003 they beat us again in a league semi at Croke Park, 2002 wasn't held there though as the re-development was just coming to an end.

Pearse Park

Were you at it?

I remember Armagh playing home games at Carrickcruppen that season, think we played Limerick at home and put in a great performance. Also remember we played Louth at home too.

An incident happened with my uncle after the game, which is why I remember the venue. Could have it mixed up but 90% sure it was Pearse and yes we did play Limerick at Carrickcruppen and Louth.

100% Pearse Park Longford.

Re Galway in 1998. I think 1997 / 1998 was the year of the the four divisions of equal ability as it was designed so that Cavan and Kerry would play in New York in the Autumn to celebrate fifty years since the All Ireland final between the two in America.

The 5th and 6th placed teams in each division would be in the third division the next year I think so perhaps that's where Galway ended up?

[T Fearon]

Armagh played Sligo in league quarter finals in1998 at Pearse Park Longford on a rotten wet and windy day,and won 6-4, to qualify for the semi finals against Dublin which we lost by a few points.First big game in Croker since the 94 league final.