Rafferty’s road to guarding the goal


Shaun Casey talks to Ethan Rafferty about his recent injury news and how he ended up as the starting goalkeeper on the Armagh senior intercounty team. ETHAN Rafferty’s career has taken many different directions with plenty of bumps along the way, but the biggest turning point came in an in-house game against the Armagh u-21 […]


Getting back on the wagon


All-Ireland Group Stages Round One Armagh v Westmeath Saturday, Box-IT Athletic Grounds, 4.45pm By Niall Gartland Advertisement WHO says the provincial championships don’t matter? After Ciaran McFaul buried the winning penalty in an Oscar-worthy Ulster final, a number of Armagh players collapsed to the Clones sod in devastation. Who can blame them really – this […]


SHANE RICE: The tactical Breffni kick-out battle


THIS Saturday at 6.30pm, all eyes will be on Kingspan Breffni as Cavan take on Armagh in what promises to be an exciting encounter. Armagh, who were impressive in their recent game against Antrim, will be looking to continue their winning run. However, Cavan will be hoping to cause an upset and secure a crucial […]


Dream debuts


Ryan O’Toole It was fairy-tale stuff from O’Toole. He ignored all his natural instincts that screamed to fist the ball over the bar. Instead, the Scotstown clubman fired the ball low and hard, between the legs of Tyrone ’keeper Niall Morgan, to secure a famous win for Vinny Corey’s men and see them through to […]

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PATRICK MORRISON: Fail to prepare


By Patrick Morrison “THERE is no such thing as bad weather… only poor preparation!” – Alfred Wainwright With the inter-county scene finishing its National Leagues this weekend and the new club season(s) on the verge of commencing, or already have, teams the length and breadth of the country will be putting their well laid plans […]


Patrick Morrison – Raise your standards


By Patrick Morrison TO reach the top and become the best takes a massive amount of time and effort to perfect your goalkeeping. You will spend hours and hours refining your skills with the aim of improving your performances between the posts. Ultimately, it is important to understand that perfection is unattainable because each time […]


Hitting the ground running


1 Ethan Rafferty 0-1 (Armagh) WHILE Cavan’s Raymond Galligan’s 0-7 is the top score for a goalkeeper, Rafferty’s only point for far came from play. And it was a thing of beauty. He came up to add to the attack against Monaghan and found himself pulling the trigger for a sweet score.   2 Paudi […]


IN FOCUS: Ethan Rafferty – the evolution of the fly goalkeeper


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 […]


Rafferty: I’m still a work in progress


By Shaun Casey LAST year’s clash with Mayo was Ethan Rafferty’s first competitive game between the sticks for Armagh, and he’s held a tight grip on the number one jersey ever since that game played in Roscommon. Mayo were the first team to overcome the Orchard County in last year’s league, following early victories over […]