By this stage, Armagh and Donegal are bound to be sick of looking at each other as they face off that often.
2022 was no different as the two teams crossed paths three times, once in the league and twice in the championship.
Donegal won the first two, but Armagh’s victory in Clones is perhaps a turning point in the rivalry.
2022: Armagh 3-17 Donegal 0-16 (Qualifiers R2)
This win really felt like a big one for Armagh as they finally got that Donegal monkey off their back.
Following the Ballybofey flop, Armagh cruised to an impressive ten-point win against their rivals. Ultimately retiring Declan Bonner and Michael Murphy at the same time.
Rory Grugan’s early goal gave the Orchard the lead by Donegal dominated for long periods of the first half.
Rian O’Neill slotted home a penalty, followed by a second half Stephen Sheridan goal and Armagh ran out big winners.
2022: Donegal 1-16 Armagh 0-12 (USFC quarter-final)
This one was tough to take. While Armagh would eventually hammer Donegal in the qualifiers, it felt like this was the time for Armagh to make their mark in Ulster.
It just didn’t happen, for whatever reason, and it was one of the toughest defeats of the Kieran McGeeney era.
Rian O’Neill’s disallowed goal at the start of the second could have changed the tide, but it didn’t stand.
Paddy McBrearty grabbed a major at the other end and that saw the home side into the next round of the USFC.
2022: Donegal 1-14 Armagh 1-13 (National Football League R7)
Armagh’s top tier status was well secured by this stage, so they decided to rest the likes of Rory Grugan and Rian O’Neill.
The pair eventually came off the bench and made a real game of it in the second half to close the gap.
Aidan Nugent top scored with 1-6 while midfielder Jason McGee raised a green flag for Donegal.
The game is probably best remembered for the row at full time, which added a bit of spice to the championship meeting.
2021: Armagh 1-16 Donegal 1-16 (National Football League R3)
This draw meant Armagh would compete in a relegation playoff against Roscommon, which they eventually won.
Donegal were minus the likes of Michael Murphy and Neil McGee but still fielded a strong starting line-up.
Kieran McGeeney’s men were the better team on the night, but Donegal proved a difficult team to shake.
Tiernan Kelly netted for the Orchard County, his first ever goal, but Michael Langan rattled the net for visitors to help them earn a draw.
