Orchard hurlers in must-win territory

HAVING tasted back-to-back defeats in their opening two league games, Armagh suddenly find themselves in must win territory heading into round three as they travel to Kingspan Breffni Park on Sunday.

Sligo are the only other team in Division Three that have failed to pick up any points at this stage of the season, and they currently rest above Armagh in the table due to their better scoring average.

The Orchard County have taken two fairly hefty beatings at the start of the season, losing by 15-points in the opening round against Roscommon while Wicklow travelled to Armagh the last day out and returned home nine-points better off.

Karl McKeegan’s side battled bravely against the Garden County in their most recent outing having conceded an extremely early goal. Armagh actually held the lead at the half time break but couldn’t back up that performance after the turnaround.

Their scoring return is something that they’ll have been working on as they didn’t trouble Roscommon nor Wicklow in front of the posts enough. Danny Magee is their top scorer so far in the campaign with 0-8 but has yet to split the posts from open play.

Shea Harvey was impressive the last day out around the middle of the field, and he took over the scoring mantle when Magee was replaced. He is a real leading light around the middle and an important figure for Armagh.

Peter McKearney, who returned this season after spending the last few years in Australia, was in fine form in round two but did pick up a second half injury which may keep him out of contention this weekend.

Their captain Barry Shortt also missed out the last day through injury but may return while the likes of Shea Gaffney, Charlie McArdle, Stephen O’Keefe and Connor Renaghan will be expected to carry the fight.

Just three-points separated these sides last season when they also clashed in Kingspan Breffni Park, and it was the home side who earned the victory on the day. Armagh will hope to get that one back this weekend.

Cavan’s early season form hasn’t been great either as they’ve lost two of their three games, with their one win over Sligo being followed by two defeats on the trot to league leaders London and Mayo last weekend.