What a battle we have on our hands in Division 1B when football action returns in 2021.
Five teams all have realistic chances of gaining promotion, while one of them will fall into the bottom four.
In terms of relegation, Annaghmore look the most certain to go down, although only two points behind St Peter’s and Mullaghbawn.
Silverbridge:
Silverbridge experienced a positive league campaign, following their relegation to Division 1B in 2019.
They currently sit top of the table, joined on points with Madden and Cullyhanna while one ahead of Clann Eireann.
They drew the short straw in the championship when they met the reigning champions and their neighbours Crossmaglen.
The Bridge give a good account of themselves, especially in the first half, but just weren’t good enough to match the Rangers.
Madden:
Madden look on track to finally secure promotion to the top division after a trying to make the breakthrough for a few years now.
Cullyhanna defeated Mickey Grimley’s men on the opening day of the league, but that was the only game Madden lost during the campaign.
They caused one of the upsets of the Senior Championship when they knocked out Ballymacnab in round one.
They failed to build on their momentum however and lost out in the quarter final to Pearse Ogs after penalties.
Cullyhanna:
Like Silverbridge and Madden, Cullyhanna will be eyeing up a promotion spot when action returns in the new year.
They have also experienced just one loss in the league in their six games to date while winning four as well.
Their championship season was short lived as they fell at the first hurdle against Pearse Ogs in the opening round.
The loss of Aidan Nugent through the year was massive and if he returns to see out the league, Cullyhanna will feel they can secure one of the promotion spots.
Clann Eireann:
The county is waiting for this Clann Eireann side to spring into life after dominating the underage scene in Armagh for years.
We may have seen glimpses of that in 2020 and the Lurgan men will be keen to push on and get to Division 1A.
They defeated Granemore in round one, with Barry McCambridge’s late three-pointer getting them through to the quarter finals.
They had plenty of chances to beat eventual winners Maghery, but the loughshore men sneaked through by one after extra time.
Grange:
Having captured Intermediate success in 2019, Grange have matched the step up in quality and played extremely well.
They sit in fifth place, two points behind the league leaders and with a game in hand they can certainly make a case for a promotion place.
They also performed well in their one championship game, although they didn’t have enough to get past Killeavy in the end.
They led at times during the game and got to extra time, but Killeavy’s eventually pulled away to book their place in the next round.
Mullaghbawn:
Mullaghbawn have struggled in the league this year, securing just one win from their five games in 2020.
That single victory was an important one in terms of relegation, as they beat Annaghmore who sit at the foot of the division.
Mullaghbawn showed their attacking quality against the same opposition in the first round of the championship, winning 4-13 to 0-13.
Crossmaglen were much the better side when the teams met in the last eight, although Mullaghbawn showed some positive signs, particularly in the first quarter.
St Peter’s:
Like Mullaghbawn, who sit just above them, St Peter’s have secured just one in the 2020 league campaign.
They sit second from bottom and will be up against it when the action returns and the sides will have to battle it out to remain in the division.
Their championship campaign ended early as well as the Lurgan side were defeated in the first round.
Armagh Harps proved to have too much, winning by ten points in the end, 2-21 to 2-11.
Annaghmore:
Annaghmore have enjoyed several years of rubbing shoulders with the best teams in the county and seemingly punching above their weight.
A draw against Granemore on the last day of the season kept them in the division last season, and their going to need serious improvement to repeat that feat when the games return.
Annaghmore have failed to pick up a single point in the league this season and the championship followed a similar path.
They were knocked out at the earliest junction by Mullaghbawn, with twelve points the difference at full time.
