A Armagh TV
With the year that was it in, Armagh TV has never been more important. They streamed a total of 41 live games across all codes, divisions and age groups and deserve huge credit for their quality production in a time when they were many peoples only hope of seeing games!
B Back to Back
Both Middletown hurlers and Ballymacnab camogie team achieved back to back championship titles this season. Middletown saw off Cuchulainns with ease while St Brenda’s got the better of their rivals Granemore with a 1-7 to 0-7 win in the decider.
C Cian’s Chip
An excellent piece of skill that will be remembered by all those in attendance for years to come. Crossmaglen’s Cian McConville performed a beautiful chip after beating his Mullaghbawn marker in a race and without breaking stride, lifted possession and curled the ball over the bar.
D Domino’s
During the latter stages of the Championship, Domino’s pizza was available at half time of a lot of games, in association with the ‘My Ticket App’, which was used to purchase tickets for Championship games.
E Extra Time
Six football championship games went to extra time this season, the most obvious being the Junior Championship Final between Forkhill and Belleek. A Cormac Toner goal allowed Forkhill to claim the victory.
F Facebook Live
While there was plenty of on-field action to enjoy throughout the Championship season, The Sideline Eye’s Facebook Live ‘incident’ during the penalty shootout between Madden and Pearse Ogs will be remembered for some time.
G Goals
Goals win games and, in this instance, four goals win championships. Maghery struck the net four times in the Senior Championship final to defeat Crossmaglen, with Brendan Haveron, Brian Fox, Aidan Forker and Ronan Lappin and raising green flags.
H Headband
It wasn’t hard to pick out Stefan Campbell in the semi-final win over Keady as he was reintroduced wearing a blue headband after picking up an injury. ‘Soupy’ performed an amazing run to assist the games only goal while also chipping in with six points of his own.
I Injury Time Score
With Belleek one point up and looking best placed to earn their first championship title in 21 years, Jemar Hall stepped up and cracked over an awesome point to tie the game and bring it to extra time.
J Just a number
Age is just a number and no matter how long you’ve been around; championship success is always welcomed. Barry Shannon finally earned a championship medal on the 6th attempt at age 39 while 40-year-old Paula Enright won Player of the Match in the Harps Ladies final win over Carrickcruppen.
K Knockout
A return to the straight knockout. Many believe that the thrill of straight knockout adds to the excitement of the championship and that was certainly the case this season. We saw big hitters in their respective divisions such as Ballymacnab and Shane O’Neill’s exit the championship at the earliest stage.
L Lurgan Final
This season we witnessed the all-Lurgan clash of Clan na Gael against St Paul’s in the Intermediate Championship final. The Clans saw off their neighbours with relative ease in the decider, winning by double scores in the end.
M Mackin
Known as one of the best female footballers in the country, Aimee Mackin wasted no time in displaying her talents as she hit eight goals against Crossmaglen after being introduced at half time! Her first appearance after recovering from an ACL injury.
N No supporters on the field
Huge credit must go not only to the stewards who implemented the rule, but also to the fans who obeyed. No supporters were allowed on to the field to celebrate championship victories this season, with the presentation taking place on a podium.
O Oisin O’Neill
Oisin O’Neill finished top scorer of the Senior Football Championship, ending his campaign with 2-14 across his four games. Aidan Forker finished in second place, hitting 1-10.
P Podcast
This season The Sideline Eye brought you a dedicated GAA Podcast with preview and review shows every week, covering as many games as possible. Our podcasts can be heard back on Spotify, Anchor, Castbox and all the usual podcast platforms.
Q Queue
Is it the best way to decide a game? Perhaps not. But penalties were used to choose a winner this season. How nerve-shattering it must be to be at the back of the queue, knowing you could be the hero in a penalty shootout, just as Paul Duffy did for Pearse Ogs.
R Rivalries
We witnessed plenty of rival clashes in the championship, none more so that Middletown and Keady. The sides met in both the football and hurling championship opening rounds, Keady winning the football game while Middletown came out on top in the hurling.
S Sister Act
The name Marley is famous in Armagh LGFA circles and the Marley sisters proved unstoppable in 2020. They helped Lissummon claim the Intermediate Championship crown, while Catherine received the Player of the Match award after hitting 1-6 in the final against Ballyhegan.
T Team talks
A throwback to the olden days when there were no changing rooms, showers or post-match meals. Bring your boots and be ready for a game. If you ever wondered what was said inside the changing area, this was the year to find out as team talks were performed out in the open air.
U Upset
Ballyhegan pulled off the shock of the Championship when the defeated a well fancied Whitecross team in the opening round of the Intermediate Championship. James McCormack starred, hitting 2-5 to help his team over the line.
V Victory Speeches
The joy was clear to see in the speeches of the championship winning captains. David Lavery was delighted in telling the crowd “Gerry’s back. He’s f****n back” when holding aloft the Gerry Fegan Cup.
W Water Breaks
A big part of games this season was the water breaks. Not everyone’s cup of tea but plenty of teams used them to great effect to turn momentum in a match. The best example being Maghery against the Ogs when the Loughshore men outscored their opponents 1-5 to 0-0 in the second quarter of their semi-final clash.
X X-ray
Crossmaglen will rue the 2020 season as two major injuries dented their chances of claiming three in a row Senior crowns. Tiernan McConville and Stephen Morris were side-lined for the final, having both experienced excellent campaigns up to that point.
Y Years
Forkhill had to wait 39-years to get back on top in the Junior Division, and they had to wait longer that they would have liked. After leading by four in the first game, they needed extra time in the replay to finally get their hands on the Sean Quinn Cup.
Z Zero
The amount of goals Clan na Gael conceded during their championship run. Their clean sheet lasted for four games and they were the only county finalists to complete the championship having not conceded a goal.
