Armagh v Donegal – BOX-IT Athletic Grounds – Saturday 2pm
Armagh got their Nickey Rackard Cup campaign off to a flying start last weekend, defeating Roscommon away from home.
The Orchard County were heavy underdogs going into the game, having lost twice this year already to the Rossies.
But Karl McKeegan’s side turned things around and won in style, travelling home with two points in the bag.
Gaols from Conor Renaghan and Eoin McGuinness were the main scores, along with 0-11 from captain Fionntan Donnelly.
But Armagh will expect a step up in quality this weekend when they welcome Donegal to the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds.
Donegal were six-point winners on the opening day, seeing off Fermanagh 1-21 to 0-18, a team Armagh beat in the final round of the league.
It was an Armagh man who guided Donegal over the line with former Orchard star Declan Coulter the main man in attack.
The ex-Cuchulainns sharpshooter claimed four points on the trot in the final few minutes to guarantee victory for Donegal.
While Armagh will be well aware of his threat, he’s not the only notable name on the Donegal team sheet.
Liam McKinney top scored on the day with 1-5 while half back Danny Cullen claimed 0-2 from play.
Donegal enjoyed a brilliant league campaign, reaching the Division 2B league final, but lost to Meath by six-points.
The sides haven’t met since the 2020 Nickey Rackard Cup, which Donegal, playing on home soil, won comfortably.
It was 0-6 apiece at half time, but Donegal turned on the style with three second half goals to win 3-13 to 1-8.
Armagh have home advantage this time around however and it’s a glorious chance for the Orchard to get another two points on the board.
It certainly won’t be easy, but last week’s win will fill Armagh full of confidence and they’ll have faith in their ability to get another win.
