Ahead of the upcoming league campaign, we’ve taken a look at the ins and outs of the teams competing in Division 1A.
Armagh Harps
Armagh Harps will be aiming to retain their Division 1A league title under new manager Pascal Canavan.
Joe McElroy was a key driving force behind their success, so much so he was recalled to the county.
He mightn’t see much game time in the league due to those commitments. 2019 Club All-Star Niall Brady will line out for the Harps this year, having transferred from Collegeland.
Ballymacnab
Ballymacnab head into the new league campaign without one of their star forwards, Jack Grugan.
Grugan, a back-to-back Club All-Star winner in 2018 and 2019 is currently in Australia. Another two-time All-Star Michael Beagan has retired.
The Nab earned promotion back to Division 1A last season, winning the Division 1B league title.
Clann Eireann
Clann Eireann will be without their inspirational, championship winning captain Shea Heffron, who has gone travelling.
They can call upon the experienced Ryan Henderson however, who has returned for another campaign.
Ryan Owens may also be back in contention for a place in the team following an injury ravaged few years.
Crossmaglen
Crossmaglen will be minus a number of key personnel when the league returns due to county commitment while Paudie Studdart has gone to America.
They will have Aaron Kernan back in the setup however while Jamie Clarke will be an option from the start.
Aaron O’Neill, younger brother of Oisin and Rian, may also see some game time having impressed for the Armagh u20s.
Granemore
Granemore carry a lot of momentum into 2023, having reached their first ever SFC final last season.
They’ll hope to start the year on the front foot and can call upon the same playing panel as last year.
Ross Finn and Kieran Doyle are both part of the Armagh squad, so their league game time may be limited.
Killeavy
Ciaron O’Hanlon remains on the treatment table, as does youngster Lee Rice, so both will be unavailable for the early stages of the league.
Tommy Coleman’s side have also lost 2009 All-Ireland winning minor James Donnelly, who captained Killeavy to the 2017 IFC title, to retirement.
Killeavy just lost out on a league title last season, suffering a final day defeat to eventual winners Armagh Harps.
Madden
Madden currently have four players on the Armagh squad, with Niall Grimley and Joe Sheridan making most match day panels.
Niall Smith and Conor Grimley are involved as well, but they could be available for the Raparees during the league.
Mickey Grimley’s side have a number of younger players that could make the breakthrough this year.
Mullaghbawn
Mullaghbawn have received a major boost ahead of the season. 2009 All-Ireland winning minor Eugene McVerry has transferred back to the club.
McVerry, who lined out for New York in the 2017 Connacht championship, spent the last few years with Na Fianna in Dublin.
Mullaghbawn have lost a few players as well. Patrick Tiernan has gone to Canada while Niall Strain is off to Australia.
