Feeney pleased with competition for places

MATHEMATICALLY, a place in the Division One league final isn’t quite secured yet but a sixth win on the trot this weekend will do the trick for Armagh, although they are just taking the game-by-game approach says joint manager Joe Feeney.

The Orchard County, who are the defending league champions, have been in flying form during the early stages of the campaign. Those five straight victories see them sit at the top of the table with maximum points.

They take on the challenge of Waterford, away from home, this weekend while Meath will travel north for the final round of fixtures. Feeney is delighted with his squad at the minute and the competition for places.

“It’s very much week-on-week and we place a lot of value on our in-house games and our trainings are very competitive,” said Feeney, who takes the team alongside Darnell Parkinson. “If you’re not on it in the in-house games, you probably don’t get a run out.

“We have another battle now this week against Waterford. We’ve had a lot of college football over the last few weeks but we’re happy that the girls have come through it injury free, we’ve managed our load, and we’ve managed our training time as well.

“We’re happy with how we’re progressing and there’s plenty of competition for places but there’s a great team spirit.”

Armagh have been without a number of key players throughout the campaign, which makes their winning run all the more impressive. Feeney is expecting some of those players back sooner rather than later.

Kelly Mallon, Aimee Mackin and captain Clodagh McCambridge, three of Armagh’s best players, have yet to see any game time in the league. They are all making their way back into contention.

“Kelly was back training and did the warm-up the last day, Sarah Quigley the same, they were big blows early in the year because they were both going well,” added Feeney. “Sarah unfortunately missed Queen’s (O’Connor Cup) campaign as well.

“Clodagh is coming back nicely; she warmed up against Kildare as well. She’s our leader, our captain, she was blocking and everything and being her usual self in the warm-up and Aimee is going well too.

“It’s good to see her going well, it’s one day at a time for Aimee but she’s a massive personality around the group and a great character.

“Rachel McCabe is coming back as well; they’re all building nicely, and they all add value.”