Morgan’s Mullaghbawn embracing derby dates

By Shaun Casey

THINGS are incredibly tight at the bottom of the Division 1A league table, with five teams still not safe from the drop, and Mullaghbawn are eyeing up two South Armagh derbies in the final two rounds to secure their status.

They survived by the skin of their teeth last season on ten points, having claimed the Division 1B title in 2024, and with two games left, they have already matched last year’s tally.

Mullaghbawn are tied on ten points alongside Crossmaglen and Cullyhanna. Armagh Harps are just below that with nine while Culloville are at the foot of the division on eight.

County champions Madden already have the league title wrapped up ahead of the final two games but it’s at the other end of the table where everything is on the line.

Mullaghbawn’s joint-manager Eamon Morgan, who takes the side along with Gareth Johnston, is pleased with the progress they have made in terms of squad development.

“It’s okay getting these guys in and having a big panel but ultimately you want to know that the stock is there,” he explained.

“You want to know that with 15 minutes to go, you’re able to make the change.

“Good competition for places – I think that’s what has driven Madden these last couple of years and that’s where everyone wants to be, everyone wants to take that next step and that’s how you grow it.

“Everything is very tight and we’re probably thinking that we’re not that far away from those top teams, but we’re far enough away that we have to be on it every day.”

Mullaghbawn had three players on the Armagh panel this season that won the Anglo Celt Cup. Fergal O’Brien (pictured), who saw game time in the league, Joe McCann and Fionn Downey are on the squad, although they are spending the summer in America.

With clashes against Killeavy, who have nothing to play for, and fellow relegation contenders Cullyhanna on the horizon, Morgan pays a lot of attention to the derby element.

“I think that’s the good thing about it, everybody knows each other inside out,” the Tullylish clubman continued.

“Coming from County Down, there’s good rivalries in South Down but the South Armagh rivalries are definitely up a level.

“I think that’s a good thing because in every game, you have to be on it.

“You want the bragging rights and that drives everything and probably makes every game feel a wee bit more like championship rather than a league match.

“These two games are massive and every fixture, even if we aren’t directly involved, it has a bearing on where you might finish up so it’s big stakes in the last few weeks.”