Nine teams will compete in Division 1B this season, with the fear of three relegation spots looming large.
All teams will feel they can push on and aim for the top of the tree and 1B is guaranteed to be extremely competitive.
Ballymacnab
Ballymacnab were relegated from the top tier last season after a disappointing league campaign.
They are under new management with Derry native Barry Dillon taking charge of the Round Towers.
Rory Grugan will miss out on part of the league due to his county involvement while Jack Grugan and Ryan Kennedy are both out through injury.
Gavin McParland is still on the comeback trail from a hamstring injury picked up in last year’s championship.
Carrickcruppen
Carrickcruppen were one of the stories of 2021, coming from Division 2B to win the Intermediate championship.
Barry Flynn will continue to oversee the youthful side, who will be full of confidence heading into the new year.
Blaine Hughes is still on county duty while Eoghan Woods is part of Kieran McGeeney’s wider squad.
Woods should be available for the Camlough men, while Oisin O’Hare is on the under 20 panel.
Clan na Gael
Also experiencing their first year in the senior league is Clan na Gael, the 2020 Intermediate championship winners.
All-Ireland winner Diarmuid Marsden has done an admirable job with the Lurgan men and remains in charge.
They got their first taste of senior football in ten years in 2021, losing to Crossmaglen in the preliminary round of the championship.
They’ll be minus Stefan Campbell for the start of the league but will be confident of enjoying a good campaign.
Grange
Ronan McAlinden, an Intermediate championship winning manager with St Peter’s, takes over Grange for the season.
They exited the championship early last year, coming up against eventual winners Clann Eireann in the first round.
Justin Kieran’s performances warranted him a county call up while Ethan Rafferty is also on the Armagh team.
Miceal McKenna, Cathal McKenna, Ben Toal and Ronan Mallon will be carrying the fight for the Grange during the early stages of the league.
Mullaghbawn
There’s no change in management for Mullaghbawn as Peter McDonnell remains in charge of his native club.
They avoided the drop last year and just missed out on a place in the championship quarter finals.
Cullyhanna pipped them in the opening round, on a day where Eddie English was really impressive.
English, Shea Loye, Cormac Smyth and Eoghan McDonnell are all the star names for the South Armagh men.
Pearse Og
Conor Clarke is in charge of his home team this year after filling in as manager for half of last season.
Shane McConville stepped away mid-season, leaving 2009 championship winner ‘Shorty’ to take control of the city side.
Pearse Ogs will be minus the Freeman brothers, Shea and James, while Vincy Brady remains on the injury list.
Chris Rafferty, their 2021 Player of the Year, has retired after over 20 years of service.
Sarsfields
Sarsfields are under new management, after being promoted as Division 2A winners last season.
Brendan Hughes, the current Armagh minor boss, will lead the High Moss men for the season ahead.
Sarsfields had an extremely disappointing ending to 2021, losing to Culloville in the Intermediate semi-final.
They did secure promotion however, and the Derrytrasna men will be confident of remaining in the division.
Silverbridge
Silverbridge made huge progress last year as they reached the Senior Championship semi-finals.
They defeated Dromintee and Cullyhanna along the way before Crossmaglen ended their season.
Jarly Og Burns has been in outstanding form for Armagh and will miss the beginning of the club season.
Goal machine Sean Rock is part of Barry O’Hagan’s under 20 squad, so his involvement will depend on how they get on this weekend.
St Patrick’s
In terms of county involvement, Cullyhanna are perhaps the worst hit team in the division.
Ross McQuillan, who is currently injured along with Aidan Nugent and Jason Duffy are members of Kieran McGeeney’s squad.
Caolan Reavey is also part of the under 20 team that begin their championship campaign on Friday.
Cullyhanna have a bye in the opening round and should Armagh lose this weekend, they will be able to call upon Reavey for their first game.
