By Niall Gartland

THERE were many positives to be gleaned from Armagh’s opening day win over Kildare in the All-Ireland Premier Junior Championship – but perhaps chief among them was the performance of their returning star Ciara Geoghegan.

One of the most talented camogs of her generation, Geoghegan parked her camogie career to start a family before making her return to the field of play in last weekend’s win over Kildare.

And it was as if she had never been away – the Eglish star lofted over five points in an eye-catching individual performance.

Manager PJ O’Mullan – a native of Loughgiel in Antrim – admits that Ciara was one of the few Armagh players on his radar before stepping into the role last year. He’s delighted that he can call upon her as they now turn their attention to Saturday’s away trip to Cavan.

“It’s something I had on the long finger. She’s now had her second child. There had been an indication that she’d be interested in playing a bit and you’re not going to turn that opportunity down. She’s a great lady, a great player and one of the few Armagh players I knew when I first came to Armagh.

“I rang her at the end of the league and we agreed that she’d come back in after the Ulster Championship. She’s back in now and it’s like muscle memory – you’d think she’d never been away.

“Five points in her first real competitive game for a couple of years is fantastic for us. It gives us another string to our bow and also helps the players around her because they’ve looked up to her for years.

“She’s been a brilliant addition and I hope it works out for her.”

Their opponents Cavan fielded for the first time in nearly two seasons in a recent Ulster Intermediate Championship final against Tyrone. They won, and proved it was no fluke with a thumping victory over Wicklow in their All-Ireland opener.”

O’Mullan said: “To me, they’re probably one of the favourites for the competition. I watched them against Tyrone and was very impressed with them.

“They’ve got the addition of Tessa Ryan from Tipperary. I think she’s married in Cavan. I remember her playing for Tipperary before she went to Australia. That’s a serious addition – coming from top-level camogie, marrying into Cavan and bringing that experience with her.

“Her aside, Cavan were always a good team. For whatever reason it didn’t work out for them during the league in terms of fielding, but they were very impressive against Tyrone. They make no bones about what they’re trying to do.

“It’s not a winner-takes-all game. If we win, we win. If we’re beaten, we’ll try to go back and get it right the next week.

“We’re looking forward to it. It’ll let us see where we’re at and it’ll let them see where they’re at, so it should be a good game.”

The Orchard County do have their injury concerns to contend with. Sinéad Quinn returned from injury to play against Kildare, but Ciara Hill, Eimear Hayes and Eimear Smyth were unavailable. O’Mullan is happy with his squad’s ability to absorb those injuries, though.

“Eimear O’Kane missed all of last year. She came back this season and started the first couple of league games before getting injured. She missed the league final, so last Saturday was her first game in two months and she was excellent.

“We also had Eimear McGeary, one of the minors who came up from last year. She came in after being sick for a while.

“Naoise Hughes from Ballymacnab didn’t play last year, but she came in and got 1-2 or 1-3 on Saturday.

“Those are three players who have come in when you’re talking about replacing players like Ciara Hill, Eimear Hayes and Eimear Smyth. Those three played every minute of the league and Eimear Hayes got Player of the Match in the league final.

“Sinéad Quinn hadn’t played in four weeks. It was only on the Thursday night before the match that she came back in and it was touch and go whether she’d make it.

“The subs’ bench this year is very young, but they all got league experience and we’re hoping that will stand to us.”