When scrolling through last weekend’s Division 1B results, one score-line stood out above the rest as the most eye-catching.
Yes, Cullyhanna done well to fight off a gallant Madden comeback, and Silverbridge overran neighbours Mullaghbawn, but there was a much more unexpected result.
Grange’s quality performance against an established Senior side in Clann Eireann was testament to their class.
Perhaps the actual result wasn’t as shocking, more so the score line, as they secured a hugely impressive five-point win.
What makes the result all the more notable is that fact that, had they not won the Intermediate Championship last season, they would be plying their trade in Division 2B.
Peter Nugent’s men are unquestionably a difficult proposition for any team in the division, and they may have flown in under the radar last week.
It was their forward division that caught the eye in 2019 and the front six are still operating at a high level one year on.
Ethan Rafferty, along with Micael and Cathal McKenna have all represented Armagh while Justin Kieran captained his counties under 20 team this year.
Ben Toal is another option in that forward division while Colm Rafferty commands the edge of the square and was the goal-scorer last weekend.
They did enjoy the comforts of home advantage in the opening round, but the Grange men will be on the road this Friday.
St Peter’s also claimed a noteworthy first round win away to Annaghmore, a notoriously difficult place for any team to collect two points.
A fantastic display after the turn-around saw the Lurgan men claim maximum points on the first outing, outscoring their hosts 1-7 to 0-1.
Having led 0-6 to 0-3 at the halfway stage, the home side could just rustle up one point, while St Peter’s drove forward to earn a 1-13 to 0-4 win.
Ruairi McDonald was the man who raised the green flag while Niall McConville is still a quality attacker and a real handful for any defence.
Aaron Findon is the main man around the centre of the park and his battle with Diarmuid Rafferty could go along way to deciding the contest.
Fearghal Moore is the one who makes the Lurgan based side tick and he could find himself shadowed by Mark Toal this weekend.
With a huge two points to play for on Friday evening, it’s sure the sides will leave everything on the field.
Home advantage could be huge but the Grange have enough quality in their arsenal to really push in this division and a win this weekend would see them gather huge momentum with Championship season just around the corner.
