Paul Hearty (Crossmaglen)
For over 20 years Paul Hearty minded the goals for Crossmaglen Rangers and his medal collection speaks for itself, winning 19 Armagh Championships, 11 Ulster Club titles and 6 All-Ireland Club titles during that time. Hearty was an ever-present figure in one of, if not the best, club team of all time.
This decade, Hearty was consistently one of the top keepers in the county and he won 6 County Championship medals, while proudly captaining the Crossmaglen side when he collected his final medal in 2015. Across those six Championship finals, Hearty conceded just one goal while keeping clean sheets in five finals in a row, from 2011-2015.
Paddy Morrison (Armagh Harps)
Paddy Morrison’s decade will be remembered for one incident, and one of the most important moments in the recent history of Armagh Harps. With time almost up and the Harps ahead by four in the 2016 Championship Final, Maghery scrambled for a goal to bring them back into the contest.
A long, hanging ball was sent towards the square, with Ben Crealey reaching tallest to punch the ball towards the corner of the net. Morrison sprung into action and his quick reflexes saw the Harps collect their first Championship title since 1991 and Morrison earned his first and only county title after years of dedicated service.
Sean Hughes (Ballymacnab)
Ballymacnab have experienced a pretty successful decade, reaching three Senior deciders, with Sean Hughes between the sticks for two of them, in 2011 and 2018. The 2011 final saw Ballymacnab well beaten by Crossmaglen, but Hughes gave a super performance, pulling off several spectacular saves that earned him a county call-up.
Last season Hughes helped Ballymacnab claim their maiden Senior League title while his heroics in the Championship saw him awarded with an All-Star, conceding just three goals throughout the Championship and keeping a clean sheet in three consecutive games, the Quarter Final, Semi Final and Final.
John Montgomery (Maghery)
Maghery claimed their first ever Senior Championship title this decade and Montgomery stood tall in goals throughout that 2016 season, becoming one of the top goalkeepers in the county. He conceded just three goals across his sides five games that year, keeping a clean sheet in the Final against Cullyhanna.
Montgomery’s great form continued into the next season as the Maghery men made it to back to back Senior Championship Finals, falling at the final hurdle against Armagh Harps. Montgomery has been a constant figure in the Maghery ranks this decade and has helped his side with their success in recent years.
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