By Shaun Casey

CLONES will also have a special place in my heart. Growing up, St Tiernach’s Park was Armagh’s home. Most championship contests were played in the Monaghan venue, and it was awesome.

My first real memory of being in Clones was in 2003. The Monaghan fans cheerfully chanted “cheerio cheerio” to the Armagh supporters after their Paul Finlay-inspired team knocked out the reigning Ulster and All-Ireland champions.

As an eight-year-old, I joined in with the joyful Armagh fanbase the following summer when the roles were reversed and Joe Kernan’s men hammered the Farney County out the gate.

My childhood was filled with those glorious days. For the first 11 years of my life, the Anglo Celt Cup resided in the Orchard County seven times.

The last of those came in 2008. 18 years ago. I had just left primary school the last time Armagh won Ulster.

I can still remember running onto the field that day. The steward (all on his own) tried to hold back the rushing crowd but to no avail.

Fermanagh were aiming for their first ever provincial success. Armagh were used to it, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t celebrate.

I remember climbing on top of my uncle’s shoulders, just to see Paul McGrane lift the cup. The dejected Fermanagh players split the joyous sea of orange and white as they dragged themselves to the changing rooms.

Barry Owens. Marty McGrath. Tom Brewster. Stalwarts of the Erne County that deserved an Ulster medal. But that day, unfortunately for them, was all about Armagh.

We waited outside the changing rooms at the back of the Gerry Arthurs stand for the Armagh players strolling towards the bus. Ciaran McKeever. Francie Bellew. McGrane. Legends.

For those few years, Clones and Armagh went hand in hand – and it never seemed to rain. The sun always split the trees and more often than not, Armagh beat whoever they played.

I do remember a wet, cold and miserable day back in 2006. May 14th to be exact. 20 years ago. Armagh and Monaghan played out a 0-10 draw on a day you wouldn’t send a dog out in.

But those glorious, sunny Clones days soon dried up. All of a sudden, Armagh were strangers to the place they once called home.

The big days disappeared. Ulster finals were a long, forgotten dream. Even just getting a win in the province was a stumbling block Armagh struggled to mount.

Over the next decade, Armagh played four championship games at Clones. The only positive result was a draw with Monaghan in 2014, thanks to a late Rory Grugan free.

THE GRIEF…Kieran McGeeney has suffered more than anyone else on Ulster final day

They lost the replay, adding to their defeats at the hands of Tyrone in 2009 and Derry in 2011. Even in 2019, they drew again with Cavan before losing the replay after extra time.

During my teenage years, I never got to live the life of a youngster going to big games. The bus from Keady to Clones. The chants and sing-alongs in the back seats. The few pre-match cans. The buzz and excitement on the hill. It never happened.

A win finally arrived in the qualifiers though. Armagh were drawn away to Monaghan and that day; it was a different type of rain that poured in Clones town.

Two goals from Rian O’Neill in his debut season brought the curtain down on Monaghan’s year. And Malachy O’Rourke’s managerial tenure.

Suddenly, it felt, Armagh were back in the big time. But little did we know, the heartache was only beginning.

Clones, once a place of love and comfort, has transformed to the Theatre of Nightmares for Armagh fans in recent times.

Yes, there were the victories of Tyrone and Down which were much celebrated, but Ulster final days have been miserable. Well, the results have been.

Extra time. Penalties. Heartache. The rollercoaster of emotions would turn the most hardened man to tears, but Armagh keep coming back.

And we’ll be there on Sunday. Packed to the rafters again. Heading this time with expectation rather than hope that the trophy is coming home with us this time around.

18 years is a long time. Too long. Yes, lifting Sam Maguire in 2024 more than helped to ease the pain. But Armagh want an Ulster title.

When the final whistle blows on Sunday, I may not be the cheerful 11-year flooding onto the pitch like ’08.

But if there are orange and white streamers hanging from the Anglo Celt Cup, you can be sure I’ll be on the field and in the mood to celebrate.