By Shaun Casey AFTER this year’s dramatic Ulster final that was ultimately decided via a penalty shootout, and won by Derry, Paul Flynn caught the headlines for his views on the best team in Ulster. Derry had just edged out Armagh to complete back-to-back titles for only the second time in their history and their […]
Nugent aiming to end Ulster drought
May 11, 2023
By Shaun Casey WHEN the final whistle sounded in Clones and droves of Armagh supporters flew onto the field to greet their heroes, who had just ended a 15-year Orchard wait to reach the Ulster final, three Cullyhanna men were lined out in the orange and white. Jason Duffy had started the game and ended […]
Duffy can’t wait for Ulster final showdown
May 4, 2023
By Shaun Casey JASON Duffy is one of the few Armagh players that has featured in every single game this season, but bar a four-point first half cameo against Roscommon in the league, the Cullyhanna attacker hasn’t been contributing to the scoreboard. One of the hardest workers on the team, Duffy covers every blade of […]
Kelly’s eye on rectifying final loss
April 14, 2023
By Shaun Casey LOSING a league final, or any final for that matter, in Croke Park is tough to take. Armagh suffered that exact experience this time last year when Kerry pipped them at the post to earn promotion to the top tier. The hurt, the disappointment, Armagh don’t want to be feeling that way […]
Armagh aiming to play the right way says Forker
April 13, 2023
By Shaun Casey ARMAGH were routine winners over Antrim in the preliminary round of the Ulster Championship, sending them through to a mouth-watering quarter-final encounter with Cavan in two weeks’ time. From start to finish, Kieran McGeeney’s side dominated the tussle, bursting out of the traps to strike the first five scores of the game […]
Nugent finding his feet after injury
April 6, 2023
By Shaun Casey THE last time Armagh faced Antrim in the Ulster Championship, Aidan Nugent missed out through injury. That was back in 2021 and Nugent, now Armagh’s joint-captain along with Rian O’Neill, was sidelined for the entire year having suffered the dreaded ACL tear. Two years on and the lively Cullyhanna sharpshooter is making […]
Donaghy ready for Kerry return
February 23, 2023
By Shaun Casey KIERAN Donaghy isn’t expecting a warm welcome this weekend when he’s in the Armagh dugout against All-Ireland champions, and his former side, Kerry on Saturday evening. The Austin Stack’s clubman will know every inch of the Tralee turf and he’ll be hoping that knowledge can help the Orchard County. They face a […]
IN FOCUS: Ethan Rafferty – the evolution of the fly goalkeeper
February 16, 2023
Two former net-minders examine Ethan Rafferty’s role as Armagh’s fly-goalkeeper. Shaun Casey writes… THE role of the goalkeeper is constantly evolving and in the modern game of tactical innovation, systems and patterns of play, Ethan Rafferty has taken the netminder’s job to another level. The sharpshooter turned shot stopper has been a huge asset for […]
JOE BROLLY: The Armagh Triangle
February 12, 2023
I CANNOT remember seeing a bad match at the Athletic Grounds. Something about it brings footballers and supporters to life. In the same way as Donegal cannot lose at Ballybofey, even if they pick a tall u-14 in goals and half the team has hangovers, the Gods have decreed that the Athletic Grounds will bring […]
KEVIN CASSIDY: Armagh have the tools to mix it up
February 9, 2023
WE head for a break this weekend with the first two rounds of the National Football League over us. The one thing that is clear to see is that the intensity levels are a lot higher than they would normally be at this time of the year. Given the condensed season and the fact that […]