Crunch games in Armagh’s top tier

THERE are huge games at both ends of the Division 1A league table this week as the Armagh Club Leagues reach their crucial stages.

Thursday sees the clash of the champions as reigning league holders Killeavy, currently sitting second in the table, travel to last year’s champions winners Madden, who are three clear in the number one spot.

The Raparees, managed by Mark Harte and Adrian O’Donnell, got their hands on the Gerry Fegan Cup for the first time ever last season and will win a first Division 1A league title in their history if they overcome Killeavy.

Killeavy won their maiden Division 1A league title in 2025 and have been in flying form of late, winning their last six games. In fact, their last defeat came against Madden back in round five.

Gareth Murphy netted twice in their recent 4-21 to 0-24 victory over Crossmaglen while former Armagh player Ciaron O’Hanlon remains a key player for Steven McDonnell’s charges.

Conor O’Neill returned to the fold after two years out with injury in their win over Culloville, but missed last week’s clash with Crossmaglen due to a hamstring injury.

Madden are without their captain Tony O’Hagan, who is sidelined with an arm injury, but they do have Niall Grimley to call on. Darragh McMullan didn’t feature in last week’s win away to Mullaghbawn and is off to America for the summer.

Mullaghbawn will aim to bounce back this Sunday when they host Armagh Harps, but they will be without two key men in Joe McCann and Fionn Downey, both members of the Armagh squad, as they head stateside as well.

Mullaghbawn are currently on nine points while the Harps, Culloville and Cullyhanna are all sitting on eight points at the wrong end of the table, so Sunday’s showdown could be massive in terms of relegation.

There’s a huge South Armagh derby on Friday evening as Crossmaglen entertain Cullyhanna and both are aiming to get back to winning ways after losses to Killeavy and Culloville respectively.

Oisin O’Neill finished with 0-8 as he returned to club action last week, although Cian McConville did make way before the end of the game with a knock. Shane Lennon’s side were also without James Morgan, Paul Hughes and Ronan Fitzpatrick.

Last year’s beaten championship finalists Cullyhanna, who overcame Cross in the semi-final, welcomed Ross McQuillan and Jason Duffy back to club action last week, although McQuillan left the play early with a knock.

Culloville were crowned Division 1B winners last season and are a team to watch over the next few years, given the crop of talent they have coming through, and they take on Clann Eireann on Friday night.

The Lurgan men, with Antrim boss Mark Doran back on the sideline for them, were minus a number of key players last weekend when they lost to Armagh Harps.

2024 All-Ireland winner Barry McCambridge lined out a wing forward after a frustrating year with Armagh while Ryan Owens has also returned after time travelling.