ARMAGH’S 2024: All-Ireland glory for Armagh

1 Securing Sam

AT the start of the season, an Ulster title felt like the ceiling of Armagh’s ambitions. Maybe inside the Orchard changing room they were envisioning a bigger prize, but for their faithful followers, the Anglo Celt was the main target. While Kieran McGeeney’s men came desperately close in Ulster once again this year, they ended up on a journey that led to the Sam Maguire Cup for just the second time in the county’s history. After years of heartache, the Orchard County finally earned a bit of luck and not only got over the line in a big game, but they got over the line in the biggest game of all. Kieran McGeeney was already a legend in Armagh circles but having now led the orange men to All-Ireland crowns as both a player and a manager, he’ll go down as one of the all-time GAA greats.

2 Ladies make history

THE Armagh ladies have been on an upward trajectory for the past number of seasons, and they took a further step forward in 2024. For the first time ever, the Orchard Ladies secured the Division One National League title, defeating Kerry at Croke Park. Armagh won six of their seven league games, losing to Dublin in the final round when their place in the decider had already been secured, and went all the way in the showpiece against the Kingdom. A fourth Ulster title in five years followed and while they crashed out of the All-Ireland series at the semi-final stage, losing to Kerry without the injured Aimee Mackin, they showed that they are one of the top teams in the country and with Joe Feeney and Darnell Parkinson now at the helm, they’ll look to push on once again in 2025.

3 Six on the bounce

THERE is no doubting that Middletown are the leading force on the hurling scene in Armagh and they demonstrated their dominance once again in 2024. Despite not playing overly well in the final against arch-rivals Keady, they did enough to get over the line by two-points, with a late goal for Club Hurler of the Year Cahal Carvill proving the crucial score. That was their fourth final win over Keady in a row, but this one was slightly sweeter than the rest as Middletown became the first ever team in Armagh to win six Senior Hurling Championship titles on the bounce. The competition looks to be getting a bit more competitive, but as Middletown showed this year, they’re still out ahead of the chasing pack.

4 Granemore’s double delight

GRANEMOREcreated history last season by getting their hands not only on a first ever Ulster title but going all the way to lift the All-Ireland crown as well. 2024 was another memorable year for Granemore as they competed three in a row in Armagh, the second time the club has ever achieved such a feat, before going on to retain their Ulster crown. Unfortunately for Connor Devlin’s girls, the All-Ireland title proved a step too far on this occasion although they did reach the final once again, but lost out to Knockananna by eight points in the end. A number of the Granemore girls also helped Armagh collect the Division Three league title this season as well, after a number of years of knocking on the door, with their goalkeeper Ciarrai Devlin being one of the Orchard Counties joint captains. Granemore will hope to continue flying the flag for Armagh on the national stage and no doubt they are already eyeing up more history for next season.

5 Burns earns top job

2024 will long be remembered in Armagh has a historic year and Jarlath Burns actually kicked things off right at the start of the year. The Silverbridge clubman became the Orchard County’s second ever President of the GAA, following in the footsteps of Alf Murray, who held the top position from 1964-1967. Burns has already underseen plenty of change in the association since taking over, including the new playing rules that have been established for next season, but no doubt his proudest moment came on July 28 when he presented the Sam Maguire Cup to Armagh skipper Aidan Forker.