Mackin excited by Ulster campaign

By Shaun Casey

LAST year, the Ulster Senior Ladies Championship consisted of one game. The final. Armagh and Donegal were the only two teams that competed at that level and the Orchard County won the decider comfortably.

This year is going to be a bit more challenging for the defending champions. Donegal are back challenging for the crown while Tyrone, All-Ireland Intermediate championship last season, are also competing for the senior provincial title.

Gregory McGonigle’s girls are aiming for a third Ulster success in a row having and have dominated the provincial scene of late.

“It’s obviously really good that Tyrone came up this year and we have an Ulster campaign rather than just a final. They’ll be two really good games for us all being well,” said star player Blaithin Mackin.

“Donegal have just gained promotion back up to Division One and Tyrone weren’t too far away from getting promoted as well. We played them in the league last season and they’re a really strong side and they’ve just got stronger.

“They will be too really good games, and those championship games are what you play for, so it’ll be nice to have an Ulster run rather than what is has been in previous years.”

Armagh, who competed in the Division One league finals in ’24 and ‘25 survived the drop this year and gave valuable minutes to some of the fresher faces on the panel.

“I think the way we progressed as the league went on was really positive,” she added. “It wasn’t an ideal start when we got beat by Waterford – that probably shook us a bit and then you’re trying to build momentum after that.

“As the league went on, I think we got better and we kept getting players back, but a lot of girls made their debuts for the senior team so that was really positive too. They all came in and did really well and thrived in Division One.

“It’s not easy coming in and playing against the top teams but it was really positive from that side of things, giving girls that experience.

Mackin continued: “The back end of the league was really good. We’d a good win against Kerry and then a draw against Meath but it was more the performances we’re looking for – we have to try and keep going for that 60-minute performance.

Armagh finished the league campaign strongly, building confidence ahead of the championship. They drew with Dublin and Meath, either side of a win over Kerry, going unbeaten against the last three All-Ireland champions.

“They are three really good teams, and they were three really good games. Probably the two draws could have gone either way but we’re definitely up there competing.

“There’s a couple of things that, if they had have gone our way, it could have been a different result but that’s why we have to perform for 60 minutes, we’re definitely close.”