It’s champion against top contender in the senior showpiece as Middletown look to defend their crown against arch-rivals Keady.
2013 was the last time one of these two didn’t get their hands on the trophy. The pair have dominated the hurling scene in Armagh.
Middletown have shaded the recent history between the sides and are out to claim their third championship crown in three years and their sixth in seven.
Keady sandwiched Middletown’s last three-in-a-row but are out to halt their hopes of achieving the same feat this weekend.
The reigning champions have come through the preliminary round, seeing off Cuchulainns and Derrynoose in the process.
Dean Gaffney has been the go-to man in the forward line, striking 2-9 in the semi-final. He’s accompanied up front by Cahal Carvill and Ryan Gaffney.
Tiarnan Nevin and Shea Gaffney are part of a forceful back six that Keady may find difficult to break down.
The Lamh Dhearg side will look to Conor Corvan for inspirational. His personal haul of 2-6 helped to see off Sean Treacy’s.
Keady made light work of the Lurgan men in the semi-final but know a tougher test lies in front of them on Sunday.
Joby Burke will call the shots from between the sticks in an effort to keep another clean sheet. Joint-captains James King and Jim Short command the middle of the park.
Middletown won last year’s clash by four. It proved to be a shootout between two of the most accurate free takers in the county, Dean Gaffney and Fionntan Donnelly, with Middletown just shading it.
An intense matchup is always guaranteed when these two face off and there will be no love lost between the sides.
