Opportunities like this don’t come around too often. Armagh know they will have to play to their full potential to get past the challenge of Dublin.
Ronan Murphy’s side have been playing some fantastic football since the action returned, but this is a step above what they have face so far.
Armagh are the only team remaining in the hunt for All-Ireland glory that currently operate outstanding Division One.
Plus, they haven’t been to this stage of the competition for five years and haven’t reached the final since 2006.
Dublin on the other hand are hoping to gain their fourth All-Ireland title in a row this winter and a win tomorrow sees them through to the decider for the seventh year running.
While the odds are firmly stacked against the Orchard County, they aren’t the sort of team that will play just to make up the numbers.
They proved the bookies wrong the last day out when they saw off Mayo in the final round of the group stages, 4-12 to 1-16.
Combine that with their two wins over Tyrone prior to defeating the Westerners and you get a team that is currently in super form.
Their forward unit has been sensational thus far, recording an impressive fourteen goals in their last three outings.
Aimee Mackin has been the star of the championship and has accompanied her 3-13 against Tyrone and Mayo with two Player of the Match awards.
Up front, Mackin has been assisted by two of the more experienced heads on the team, in Kelly Mallon and Caroline O’Hanlon.
Aoife McCoy lit up the Tyrone game with an outstanding hattrick while Catherine Marley recorded the final goal against Mayo that sent Armagh through to the last four.
The midfield duo of Niamh Coleman and Aveen Bellew work tirelessly while Eve Lavery also covers plenty of ground.
Anna Carr commends her defence from between the sticks with Sarah Marley and Clodagh McCambridge swallowing up any danger that comes their way.
Shauna Grey retains her spot in the corner from the last day out while Tiarna Grimes, Blaithin Mackin and Grace Ferguson make up and attack minded half back line.
There is plenty of quality in the Dublin ranks as well of course, with Carla Rowe, Sarah McCaffrey and Sinead Aherne stand out members of the forward line.
Niamh Collins is the rock of the Dublin defence while Sinead Goldrick, Olwen Carey, Siobhan McGrath, Niamh McEvoy and Lyndsey Davey are All-Stars from 2019.
There’s no doubt that Armagh will be up against it, but Ronan Murphy and his ladies wouldn’t have it any other way.
They know they have enough quality spread throughout the pitch to trouble any team in Ireland, including Dublin.
If Armagh can get their deadly forward line enough of the ball, they can cause serious damage on the scoreboard.
Their defence will have to be on top of their game to keep the score down at the other end, and if they can do that they are in with a great chance.
The whole county is behind the ladies, and have every faith that they can topple the Dubs and continue their amazing journey.
