Armagh will be hope home advantage tells the tale this weekend as they welcome Mayo to the Box-It Athletic Grounds.
It’ll be Armagh’s second outing of the season in the Athletic Grounds, following two earlier games in the league.
Shane McCormack’s ladies overcame both Laois and Westmeath on those occasions on their way to gaining promotion.
The Orchard County carried that winning from into the championship and overcame Donegal and Cavan in Ulster.
Donegal would have the final say however and they overcame Armagh with four to spare in the provincial decider.
That didn’t derail Armagh’s All-Ireland ambitious however as they bounce back last weekend to see of Laois.
It’s the third time this season Armagh battled past the O’Moore County, and they did so without Aimee Mackin for the majority of the game.
Mackin did enter the fray in the second half, coming on for Caitriona O’Hagan and didn’t get on the scoresheet.
The other forwards stepped up in her absence with Aoife McCoy (2) and Niamh Reel slotting home goals.
Seven-points was the difference between the sides when the full-time whistle sounded, with Armagh winning 3-12 to 2-8.
That was in Portlaoise, but Armagh are back on home turf this weekend and a win will put them through to the next round.
Recent History
The sides last crossed paths in the final round of the All-Ireland series back in 2021, and Armagh will be happy if they can produce a similar performance.
That day, Aimee Mackin rattled off a hattrick and finished with an individual tally of 3-6 as Armagh won 3-14 to 0-12.
The Orchard ladies also beat their western foes in the 2020 championship when goals proved the difference once again.
Mackin (2), Kelly Mallon and Catherine Marley all rattled the net to help Armagh go through into the All-Ireland semi-finals with a 4-12 to 1-16 win.
So goals have proven crucial in the past and if Armagh can continue their fine form in front of the posts, they’ll give themselves a great chance of victory.
