By Niall McCoy

ARMAGH’S Ulster final victory over Donegal on Saturday was especially sweet not only for the team, but for marauding Crossmaglen star Lauren McConville.

The thrilling 3-12 to 3-11 victory at Healy Park ensured that Ronan Murphy’s side went back-to-back in the provincial series, and perhaps that second title carried a bit of extra weight as the Tir Chonaill county opted against competing in the 2020 tournament.

It was also a special day for McConville, who was not involved in last year’s panel as she had been in Australia for part of the season.

“It was really, really special for me. I wasn’t on the panel last year. I was just back from Australia, so it’s nice for me coming back and having that success,” said McConville, who also won an Ulster title in 2014.

“Especially with the crowds being back, there was such a nice atmosphere although we didn’t exactly want the game to be as tight as it was. It was great having friends and family there.

“I know the girls were talking a lot going into the game about what was said last year. They probably had a bit of a hump on them about it because some people were maybe saying that they weren’t fully deserving winners. It was just lovely to be able to go out and prove that point.”

For long periods it looked like they would prove it emphatically, but Murphy’s side nearly committed hari-kari in the final moments to lose the match.

First, a misplaced free allowed the superb Geraldine McLoughlin in for a goal to take Donegal within range and then in the final moments a poor kick-out was eventually deflected out for a 45 when it could very easily have ended up in the net.

Such a blow would have been unfair. Despite McLaughlin’s heroics against one of the best full-backs in the game in Clodagh McCambridge, Armagh were the better team overall with Niamh Reel and Aimee Mackin (2) grabbing their goals in the pouring rain.

McConville was her energetic self as she continued to play the role of the late breaking, off-the-shoulder link woman coming from deep, and she said that she has enjoyed the new position since returning to the panel.

“I was used to being in the forward line but I am always happy to learn and I’ve received great coaching from the management team. I was delighted to take on whatever role they thought was fit for me.

“The driving runs forward, the timing, knowing when to make them, that was probably the biggest challenge for me. You can get caught very easily.

“I think I grew into it as the season went on and I was happy to play it and I felt I embraced it.”

Both sides entered the match on the back of All-Ireland quarter-final defeats with Armagh suffering a surprise loss to Meath while Donegal were unable to build on a good start against champions Dublin.

It left fans wondering how seriously the respective camps would take the Ulster final, but they got their answer as both teams went at each other with the full-time whistle sparking wild celebrations for those in orange and white.

“The Meath game was one of the most disappointing games I’ve ever played in, there was so much hurt from that,” McConville said.

“It was actually nice that it didn’t have to be end of the season, that you had a chance to sort of redeem yourself. You had to be motivated for it.

“We were buzzing to get back training after the Meath game. We took a rest for a couple of days and we really upped the training from there. The Meath match was a wake-up call.

“Unfortunately we weren’t in the All-Ireland series anymore but it was nice to bounce back and at least end the year on a high.”