By Shaun Casey

THE semi-final hurdle has been the stumbling block for Madden in the last two championship campaigns, and they’re hoping to go at least one step further this season, says captain Tony O’Hagan.

The Raparees lost out to Crossmaglen in 2023 before falling to Clan na Gael in 2024 but remain one of the big hitters in the Orchard County and one of the favourites to go all the way this year.

They’ll have to do it without a few key men however, who will miss out through injury. Cathal Maguire, Ryan Morgan and most recently Conor Mone have all picked up season-ending knocks.

They should however have their All-Ireland winning duo to call on. Niall Grimley played in their last few league games while Darragh McMullan, who spent the summer in America, is expected to return soon.

“The last two years we’ve been in the semi-finals, so I think this year is just about pushing on and getting over that bit of a hurdle that we haven’t been able to get over before. Once again, that’s the goal,” said skipper O’Hagan.

Mark Harte’s side face a difficult group which consists of Mullaghbawn, Cullyhanna and Pearse Og, but O’Hagan insists that his side are well aware that there’s no easy games when it comes to this time of the season.

They kickstart their campaign with a trip to Cullyhanna on Friday night. “You don’t want to go in thinking you’re going to get any easy games so we’re looking forward to them all, can’t wait.”

Madden finished in their place in the Division 1A league table, joint on 19-points with reigning championship holders Clann Éireann and finished the campaign on a high, beating Silverbridge in the final round.

The men in red and black secured nine wins from their 14 league outings and finishing inside the top four was the main thing, added O’Hagan. “We started well and then took a wee bit of a hit but in the end, we probably felt like we left a couple (of games) behind us.

“To get to 19-points in a competitive league like that, we’re probably happy enough at the same time. It’s all about the next few weeks now in the championship. There are no easy games in Division One but to finish as a top seed, it gives you a bit more hope going into it.”