By Shaun Casey

ARMAGH are well used to the hype and build-up that comes with Ulster final day, but they face an unfamiliar opponent this time around as near-neighbours Tyrone stand in the opposite corner this year.

For the seventh season on the bounce, the Orchard County are represented on Ulster final day and they are chasing a sixth title in that time and a three in-a-row.

It’s the first time since 2020 that Armagh won’t meet Donegal in the decider, with both Armagh and Tyrone overcoming the Tir Chonaill ladies in the group phase of the Ulster Championship to reach the showpiece.

Captain Lauren McConville admits there is some “anxiousness” in the camp ahead of Sunday’s showdown with the Red Hand County but insists they are looking forward to the challenge.

“You could say there’s a bit of anxiousness in maybe not being as familiar with your opponent,” said McConville, who watched her brother Cian win an Ulster title with Armagh last weekend.

“We played them in the league last year and recently in the Ulster Championship, but prior to that we probably hadn’t played them in quite a few years.

“We have a lot of work to do in trying to learn different things about them. We’ll need to get our matchups right on the day but we’re well up for the challenge.

On the threat of Tyrone, McConville noted their dangerous forward line containing the likes of Aoife Horisk, Chloe McCaffrey, Sorcha Gormley and Niamh O’Neill, all of whom played a significant role in their run to last year’s All-Ireland Intermediate title.

“You can’t take it away from them, they’re a great side and particularly up front, we know how dangerous they are.

“They had great success last year (winning the All-Ireland Intermediate title) and they carried that momentum into this year. They’re a team that’s going well and they definitely looked hungry against us two weeks ago.

“We’ve been in the last number of Ulster finals but it’s a little bit different this year in that we’re playing Tyrone and it’s not just a straight final coming up against Donegal.

“I think that’s good for the Ulster Championship in general. It’s made it that bit more competitive this year.

“We’re not unfamiliar with the occasion but that doesn’t mean we’re looking forward to it any less than we would have before. We’re certainly up for the challenge and we just can’t wait for the weekend.”

McConville played in all seven of Armagh’s Division One league games as they clung onto their top tier status, but Gregory McGonigle’s side struggled to get their best team out on the field for most of their clashes.

Squad rotation

Armagh fielded a weakened panel in their most recent clash with Tyrone in the final round of the Ulster Championship group stages, giving some meaningful minutes to the wider members of their squad.

“I would sum up the league by saying that it was a bit rocky for us,” McConville continued. “We had plenty of ups and downs but with that we also had plenty of learnings.

“It was massive for us getting game-time and big-game experience into some of those younger girls and some of the wider panel.”

McConville continued: “We have been unfortunate with injuries these last few months, but it has been coming together at the right time and we’re getting people back and it’s really starting to show.

“We know all too well, especially having faced extra time in a couple of Ulster finals, you do need that wider panel on the day. It’s not going to be the 1-15 (that starts), it’s going to be everyone. The league will stand to us from that point of view.”

There’s a real battle for places now that most players have returned to full fitness and Armagh have also called in five players from their minor panel that recently secured the Ulster Minor Silver Championship title with a 14-point victory over Derry.

“In that middle eight sector in particular, the team really changed from week-to-week (in the league) and you don’t know what position you could find yourself in, it has been really competitive,” she added.

“We’ve got a few of the minors on board and they’ve really added to that and taken our training to the next level too.

“Every year, you want to be getting one or two minors in off the back of those teams. This year we’ve got five of them in and they play with no fear which is a breath of fresh air and they bring great energy to everything.”