All-Ireland – Quarter Final
Armagh vs Meath
Sunday 1st August – Clones – 2.00pm
Armagh will be under no illusions of the task ahead of them this weekend. They face one of the best up and coming teams in the country.
It’s been a crazy couple of years for Meath, who have shot from Division Three to Division One. They also claimed Intermediate All-Ireland success in 2020, so they are a team on the rise.
A win over Armagh on Sunday would signal a real breakthrough moment. Something similar to what Armagh experienced against Cork two years ago.
Ronan Murphy’s side are targeting a place in the last four and the opportunity to right the wrongs of last season.
Armagh pushed Dublin right to the end, but couldn’t get over the line. They will have the burden of the favourites tag this weekend, something they’ve become accustomed to.
With Aimee Mackin in the form she’s in, it’s no surprise that her side are being tipped to edge through on Sunday.
The 2020 Player of the Year is showing no signs of slowing down as her hattrick the last day out suggests.
Limiting the Shane O’Neill stars influence will be the goal for the Meath defence. But they would be foolish to solely focus on Mackin.
Caroline O’Hanlon, Aoife McCoy, Fionnuala McKenna and Kelly Mallon are all proven match winners that know where the posts are.
Alex Clarke has been in superb form and has held her spot in the team. Blaithin Mackin is another star that will cause Meath problems.
Armagh’s attacking half back line is a sight to behold. Eve Lavery, Lauren McConville and Tiarna Grimes will all charge forward when the opportunity arises.
The Meath forward line are no slouches either. Shauna Grimes, Vikki Wall and Emma Duggan will all need watched this weekend.
The Royals were victorious the last time these sides clashed, in round five of the 2020 league. Meath were ten-point winners on the day
That was the final game of the campaign as Covid restrictions saw the competition suspended early.
Armagh had no Aimee Mackin that day. And no Tiarna Grimes. No Lauren McConville. No Alex Clarke.
While a different team will take the field this weekend, it was a big defeat to suffer at home. Meath will obviously take great comfort and confidence from that result
It won’t be a case of revenge for the Orchard County. But rather another step in the journey of reaching that semi-final once again.
Armagh ladies football is riding the crest of a wave and they won’t want their All-Ireland campaign to end early.
