Armagh’s most recent defeat to Monaghan in the McKenna Cup won’t hurt as much as last year’s Ulster semi-final did.
The Orchard lost out after a penalty shoot out to Seamus McEnaney’s men in this season’s McKenna Cup.
Armagh’s most recent win over the Farney men came in last years league. McGeeney’s men earned an opening day four-point win.
Armagh have been flying so far in this year’s league campaign and will want to keep up their good form this weekend.
2022: Armagh 0-15 (4) Monaghan 0-15 (5) (McKenna Cup SF)
Armagh were undoubtedly the better team throughout this game but couldn’t hold on to their lead.
Kieran McGeeney emptied the bench, giving 25 players game time through the contest. Monaghan dragged themselves back into the game to scrape a draw.
It was actually Armagh who needed the final score, with Stefan Campbell stepping up to bring the game to penalties.
Both sides put on an exhibition of spot kicks, but it was Jemar Hall’s miss that sent Monaghan through to the McKenna Cup semi-final.
2021: Monaghan 4-17 Armagh 2-21 (USFC SF)
When you hand a team four goals in the first half, you’re instantly pinning yourself against an incredible uphill battle.
That was the situation Armagh found themselves in last year. Blaine Hughes missed the entire game while Aidan Forker was unfit to start.
Still, despite everything, this was a game Armagh could have won. Goals from Clann Eireann super-subs Conor Turbitt and Tiernan Kelly helped the Orchard County go ahead.
Monaghan’s craft and experience got them over the line however as Conor McManus nailed two late frees to see them through to the Ulster Final.
2021: Monaghan 1-12 Armagh 1-16 (NFL R1)
Soupy Campbell confidently smashed home a penalty inside the opening minute to get his side off to a flyer.
The impressive Rory Grugan helped Armagh open up a six-point lead early on, but Monaghan clawed their way back into the game.
Debutant Sean Jones netted to leave the minimum the difference at the half time interval. Armagh ahead 1-6 to 1-5.
McGeeney’s men gained the upper hand after the turnaround with Turbitt, Rian O’Neill and Grugan raising white flags to guarantee the two points.
2019: Monaghan 1-12 Armagh 2-17 (Qualifiers R2)
A throwback to the glory days as Armagh came good in Clones to earn a famous victory over their Farney rivals.
Kieran McGeeney’s men played some mighty stuff as they put Monaghan to the sword in Malachy O’Rourke’s last game in charge.
Rian O’Neill blew away the home side with two goals that sent Armagh into the next round of the qualifiers.
Unfortunately, Mayo ended their run that season the next day out. But the win in Clones was one of the highlights of recent years.
