Who do you think should be the Armagh goalkeeper against Monaghan in the opening round of the league?
Armagh travel to Castleblayney next Saturday evening and there’s plenty of spots up for grabs.
There are three contenders for the number one jersey. Ethan Rafferty, Shea Magill and Patrick McAteer will all contest the goalkeeper position.
Ethan Rafferty
Rafferty earned the number one jersey midway through the league last year and has held a tight grip on it ever since.
Rafferty was nominated for an All-Star for his performances between the sticks and took the ‘sweeper keeper’ role to a new level.
The Grange mans forays up the field were one of the highlights of the season for Armagh. He even got up to raise two white flags against Tyrone in the qualifiers.
He kept clean sheets against Mayo and Kildare in the league and against Donegal in Armagh’s qualifier victory in Clones.
Shea Magill
Magill has been part of Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh panel for the last number of seasons, having played for the minors and u-20s in recent years.
Magill got two run outs in the McKenna Cup this year, replacing Ethan Rafferty at half time in both the Antrim and Cavan games.
Magill’s debut came against Monaghan in the 2021 Ulster semi-final. He was thrown in at the deep end and experienced a difficult day, conceding four first half goal.
The Killeavy netminder has a long kickout and kept a clean sheet in his most recent appearance against Cavan.
Patrick McAteer
The youngster joined the Armagh panel last year and also helped his club earn promotion from Division 1B in 2022.
Mullaghbawn finished in second place, just behind Ballymacnab, and will compete in the top tier this season.
McAteer also helped his club side reach the under 19 Division One Championship final, playing at midfield.
Mullaghbawn lost out heavily in the decider, with Crossmaglen proving much too strong on the day.
