By Niall Gartland

THE circumstances of Armagh ladies hugely dramatic Ulster Senior Championship triumph over Donegal made their historic success all the sweeter for their hard-working playmaker Aoife McCoy.

Not only did they win their third provincial title in-a-row for the first ever time in their history, but it was a game for the ages that hinged on a late goal in extra-time from their nerveless skipper Kelly Mallon.

The final scoreboard read 3-17 to 2-19 in Armagh’s favour, and the jubilation at the final whistle from players, management and supporters showed just how much this one meant to the Orchard County.

McCoy said: “If you look back at the video, I was one of the last ones to lay the ball off before the final whistle and the reaction in the stands was crazy.

“It’s unreal to be honest, it obviously would’ve been amazing no matter how much we won by, but the way it panned out was incredible.”

It’s a bitter pill to swallow for Maxi Curran’s side, who also lost by a point to Armagh in last year’s decider as well. They too gave a brilliant account of themselves (Geraldine McLaughlin gave a player-of-the match display) and they’d been quite open about their determination to make amends for last year’s defeat in the lead up to the game.

However, Armagh also had a point to prove to themselves after the disappointment of losing their Division Two final to Kerry in Croke Park a month ago.

“We weren’t happy with our performance at all that day,” said McCoy.

“We set our stall out at the start of the year to get out of Division Two so we were disappointed that didn’t happen, but we fixed some of our issues in the Ulster semi-final against Monaghan and that gave us a great platform for the Donegal game.

“Obviously the league is a brilliant competition but there’s just something about the Ulster Championship as well.

“There’s a great buzz about it and it’s that bit more competitive as there’s only four or five teams in it.”

Armagh’s win means they’ve been pitted against the Leinster final winners of Meath and Dublin, as well as Monaghan, in the group stages of the upcoming All-Ireland competition. Meath are reigning champions but McCoy recognises that to be the best, you’re going to have to beat the best.

“The Donegal game was the toughest game we’ve played to date this year but you need those competitive games.

“We’re happy with the draw, if you’re going to be successful in the All-Ireland series we need to be beating Dublin or Meath anyway, so you’re better meeting them at that stage of the competition.”

HISTORY MAKERS…Aoife McCoy and Armagh won their third Ulster title in as many years