Armagh v Limerick – Saturday 16 Sept – St Brigid’s Roscommon – 2pm
The Armagh Masters are preparing for an All-Ireland final this weekend as they take on Limerick in the Spirit Cup final.
The pair clash in a curtain raiser before the top tier final between famously old foes Tyrone and Kerry.
In the first year since forming, some silverware would be just recognition for the work and effort put in this season.
They’ve had a few really tight games and a few tough learning curves along the way that has led to the decider.
During the group stages, the Orchard County began their campaign with a convincing win over Louth.
Tyrone, with All-Ireland winners such as Stephen O’Neill and Sean Cavanagh in their ranks, proved much too strong.
Armagh bounced back with a victory over Antrim but suffered a series of close defeats in their next three games.
Paul Cullen’s men lost out narrowly to Donegal, Leitrim/Longford and Down, which determined their spot in the Spirit Cup grade.
There, they navigated their way past Westmeath by just two-points to set up a showdown with Limerick.
A late goal from Austy McKenna, adding to earlier majors from Dara Edwards and Benny Rafferty helped Armagh past Westmeath.
It’s guaranteed to be a busy weekend for skipper McKenna. On Saturday, he’ll lead his orange and white teammates into battle.
Then on Sunday he’ll travel to the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds with his club An Port Mor as they take on Clonmore.
Armagh will be down a few regular bodies however, which won’t help their cause come Saturday afternoon.
Chris Rafferty is currently out injured while former Armagh captain Ciaran McKeever gets married this weekend.
However, they still have enough quality and experience in their ranks to give this a real rattled and bring back some silverware to the Orchard County.
