Sun 28 May – Owenbeg – 3.30pm
Armagh have the chance to claim a fourth Ulster title in as many years when they face Donegal on Sunday afternoon.
The two teams know each other inside out at this stage. They not only clashed in the previous two finals, but also in the years group stages.
Armagh have won all three of their most recent meetings, with their only comfortable victory coming a few weeks ago.
In both the 2021 and 2022 Ulster deciders, the two teams couldn’t have been more evenly matched.
In 2021, a late Fionnuala McKenna point shaded the contest for Armagh while they needed extra time last season.
Run to final
More recently however, the Division Two league champions were much the better side when they registered an eight-point win over Maxi Curran’s side.
It was a game of two halves, with Donegal leading at the midway point by two-points, 2-1 to 0-5.
But with the aid of the breeze, Armagh turned the tide after the interval to win the game 1-15 to 2-4.
That secured Armagh’s place in the showpiece, although they had to finish out the group stages against Cavan.
And they did that in spectacular fashion. They saw off the Breffni Blues with ease on a scoreline of 8-14 to 2-7.
Aimee Mackin rattled off a hattrick and finished the game with 3-7 to her name. Kelly Mallon (2), Blaithin Mackin, Niamh Coleman and Catherine Marley also struck the net.
That was in Clones as a curtain raiser to the Ulster final. Kieran McGeeney’s side lost to Derry after penalties.
And the ladies Ulster decider was initially fixed for the same venue. But that all changed in the intervening weeks and the game will now take place in Owenbeg.
The change of venue won’t cause too much unrest in the Armagh camp as they’ll have their eyes focused on the task in hand.
It’s all about the Ulster title and the Orchard Ladies, who are unbeaten in 2023, will be eyeing up a famous four-in-a-row.
