It was a hard fought season in Division 1A, with Armagh Harps eventually coming away with silverware while championship gold returned to Crossmaglen.
Armagh Harps
A mixed season for the Harps. They enjoyed an excellent league campaign, landing their first title since 1991, but failed to carry that momentum into the championship.
They lost just three times throughout the entire league and edged out a thrilling league decider against Killeavy in Abbey Park.
Their championship clash with Maghery was underwhelming, however. Maghery dominated the first half and while the Harps came back after the turnaround, it wasn’t enough to remain in the competition.
With Pascal Canavan now at the helm, the Harps will be aiming to make their mark on the championship next year.
Clann Eireann
This year was never going to be as good as 2021 for Clann Eireann, after they carried home the Gerry Fegan Cup.
They lost that crown on the opening day of the championship, losing out to Mullaghbawn by one point.
The big positive for Clann Eireann is that they retained their Division 1A status and will compete at the top table next year.
Ruairi Lavery remains in charge and without their county contingent and captain Shea Heffron for most of the league, safety will be the first target for 2021.
Crossmaglen
Crossmaglen are back on top in Armagh, so this season was a great one for the Rangers. They toppled Granemore by 12-points to win the championship after a two-year hiatus.
While they’ll be delighted with winning the championship, they’ll be bitterly disappointed with their Ulster display.
But as their under 19 team proved, there’s plenty of talent coming through their ranks. And they’ll be hungry for more success.
Anthony Cunningham has replaced Stephen Kernan as manager, and he’ll be hoping to guide Cross to another title.
Dromintee
Dromintee were crowned Division 1A league winners in 2021, but this season they suffered relegation to 1B.
Injuries halted their progress this year and a last day league win over Clann Eireann wasn’t enough to keep them in the topflight.
They earned a good battling victory over Sarsfields in the championship and dragged Cross to extra time. But faltered in the additional time and lost by ten.
John Kennedy has since stepped down as manager and Dromintee remain in the hunt for a new boss.
Granemore
A historic year for the Granemore club as they reached their first ever Senior Championship decider.
They lost out to Crossmaglen by 12-points in the end, but 2021 offered plenty of excitement and promise for the years ahead.
Granemore flirted with relegation throughout the season, losing their opening five league games. But did enough to finish just above the relegation zone.
Niall McAleenan is back in the bainisteoir bib and will be hoping to build on the momentum that 2021 offered.
Killeavy
Killeavy will be disappointed they didn’t see the year out with some silverware but encouraged for next year.
The league went right down to the final day, but Harps, on home turf, claimed the Division 1A crown.
Injuries played their part in the championship, but Wayne Kieran’s men still made it to the last four where they lost out to Granemore.
Kieran’s in back in charge and with a few key men back from injury should challenge for league honours once again.
Madden
Madden showed this year that they are a team that can compete at the highest level and will be looking to push on against next year.
They finished fourth in the league, earning a number of eye-catching wins, before emphatically beating Grange in the preliminary round of the championship.
Killeavy ended their season in the next round, but Madden may wonder what could have been. Had Niall Grimley been fit, how far could they have gone?
Grimley will be back next season, as is manager Mickey Grimley, with Ryan Mellon joining the management ticket.
Maghery
Maghery remain on the hunt for a new boss after what was a disappointing year for the Loughshore men.
They suffered relegation to Division 1B despite two victories over Crossmaglen in the last two rounds of the league.
The Rangers gained their revenge in the championship, however. Cross proved too strong in their semi-final showdown and breezed into the decider.
2023 will be about rebuilding, getting back to the top tier and challenging for championships once again.
