Strength in depth
Armagh used 27 players in four games throughout their league campaign and all will be hoping to push for a championship spot.
Ryan Kennedy, Aidan Forker, James Morgan, Brendan Donaghy and Conor O’Neill all entered the fray the last day out.
Those five will bolster Kieran McGeeney’s defensive options while the likes of Ross Finn, Connaire Mackin and Aaron McKay have performed well this season.
Tiernan Kelly burst on to the scene with his 1-1 vs Donegal while his clubmate Conor Turbitt continues to impress.
Ross Finn, Tiernan Kelly, Barry McCambridge and Jack Grugan all made their national league debuts this year while Ross McQuillan and Ciaron O’Hanlon also returned to the fold.
Armagh can mix it with the big boys
At the beginning of the league, it was disheartening that Armagh wouldn’t get the chance to showcase their talents against the likes of Kerry and Dublin.
Instead, it was a regional based mini–Ulster Championship and the Orchard County performed heroically in the opening three rounds.
Armagh were the last outside of the ‘Big Three’ in Ulster to lift the Anglo Celt cup, so putting it up to Monaghan, Tyrone and Donegal was impressive.
Getting one win and one draw from those three outings would have pleased Geezer and he’ll know they weren’t far off winning all three.
Roscommon have been knocking at the door for a few years, but Armagh were well fit for them, despite the wobbly start just before the water break.
Consistency
It’s been an issue for Armagh for a number of years, but for the first time in a long time the boys in orange and white were able to put a string of good performances together.
Despite failing to overcome Tyrone, they were well in the game and on another day could have got something from it.
Armagh were much the better side for long periods against Donegal and despite drawing, showed they have enough quality to deal with the likes of Declan Bonners team.
The best display came against the Rossie’s after the opening quarter, and they were so cool and composed to get over the line convincingly.
Hope for Championship run
Hope may be the wrong word. There’s perhaps now an expectation that Armagh will reach their first provincial final since 2008.
The ‘easy’ side of the draw provides Armagh with a real chance of a Ulster Championship run, something they haven’t had during McGeeney’s time in charge.
They are most certainly expected to beat Enda McGinley’s Antrim and would fancy themselves against either Fermanagh or Monaghan in the last four.
Armagh’s league form has brought some excitement to the county and along with that comes both hope and expectation.
