Armagh will be hoping they can exact revenge against Monaghan this weekend in the National League semi-final.
Monaghan handed Karl McKeegan’s men their first defeat of the campaign in the second round of the league.
It took a late goal from substitute Ciaran Guinan to snatch the victory for Monaghan, who won 2-17 to 0-22.
Armagh were marginally the better team throughout but couldn’t shake off the attentions of the Farney men.
It’s back in the same venue this weekend, the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, and Armagh will be aiming for a different result.
The Orchard County were missing a number of key men that day. The likes of Fintan Woods, Tiarnan Nevin and Odhran Curry were unavailable.
They also played the majority of the game with 14 men as Tomas Galvin received his marching orders after ten minutes.
But all four will be available from the start on Saturday and will be major boosts to McKeegan’s charges.
Galvin was the hero last weekend against Fermanagh when Armagh booked their spot in Saturday’s semi-final.
The young Keady sharpshooter finished the game with 2-3 and netted twice early in the second half.
They were much needed goals as well as Armagh trailed by six-points at the halfway stage. Although Fermanagh did have the aid of a strong breeze at their backs throughout the opening period.
Danny Magee added a third three-pointer after the turnaround as Armagh squeezed through by the minimum of margins, 3-17 to 3-16.
The victory signalled their third win of the campaign, following defeats to both Monaghan and Roscommon.
And it’s the Rossies that topped the table and qualified for the Division 3A league final and they await the winners of Saturday’s meeting.
Armagh have yet to put back-to-back wins together this season and Saturday provides a great chance to do just that.
They’ll not be short on motivation and their goal of achieving promotion to Division 2B is still well within their grasp.
