Football

Ballymacnab and Clann Éireann to go head-to-head in Armagh

Rory Grugan leads the way in attack for Ballymacnab  
Rory Grugan leads the way in attack for Ballymacnab   Rory Grugan leads the way in attack for Ballymacnab  

ACTION in the senior grade resumes on Friday, with a double-header at the Athletic Grounds. Ballymacnab and Clann Éireann face other in round two (8.30pm) preceded by a round one qualifer pairing Armagh Harps and Grange (6.45pm). 

Despite league relegation, Ballymacnab turned in a highly impressive second-half performance against Harps in the opening round and will be fancied to make it to the quarter-finals. It may have taken a late Rory Grugan penalty to swing that game the ‘Nab’s way, yet lowering the colours of the city outfit, who had contested the last two finals, was no mean feat, especially without injured marquee forward Gavin McParland, who may again have to sit this one out. In that case, it will be up to the Grugans - Jack and Rory - and captain Brian McCone to lead the way in attack. They will also be looking for big performances from the Gribben clan, Michael Beagan, Dominic McParland, Ryan Kennedy and Fearghal Nugent.

Clann Éireann looked home and dry as they led Madden by 13 points approaching half-time, only to fall to pieces in the face of a storming Raparees’ comeback, which cut the deficit to two. In the end, it took an injury-time goal from the classy Adam Kelly to get the Senior League B section champions over the line on 3-15 to 3-9 scoreline.

Any repeat of this collapse would certainly be curtains. Looked upon as the up-and-coming team in the county, Kieran Robinson’s charges will have to be at their sharpest and much will depend on the contributions of the likes of Ryan Henderson, Paul McKenna, Jack Wilson, Shea Heffron, Adam Kelly and Daniel McKavanagh. A task certainly not beyond the Lurgan men, but the 'Nab look the bet.

Bitterly disappointed at their failure to hold out against Ballymacab, Armagh Harps will have a point to prove against parish neighbours Grange. Both sides were missing key players last day out. Harps had their county man Joe McElroy and menacing attacker Ryan McShane both in the States, while Grange were minus their two country stars, Ethan Rafferty, also in America, and the injured Miceal McKenna.

Managed by former county man Peter Rafferty, Grange had a poor league season, suffering relegation from Senior Section B. They were slow out of the traps in the opening round, 3-15 to 2-16, defeat by Wolfe Tone's, but went on to outscore their opponents 1-7 to 0-2 and take a two-point interval lead, which they were able to consolidate.

But they faded as Tone’s got their second breath and Colm Rafferty’s injury-time penalty goal arrived too late The St Colmcille’s men will have it all to do, but if Rafferty and McKenna are available, it would boost confidence no end. Cathal McKenna, Daire Mallon and Eoin Rafferty are their main threats up front.

Harps are expected to win this one rather comfortably. They still have strength in depth, even without the retired Gareth Swift. In teenager Tom O’ Kane, who pocketed 0-8 last day out, they have a rising talent. The city side will be keen to redeem themselves and, with Charles Vernon, Conor White, Mark McConville, Karl Loughran, Simon McCoy, Declan McKenna and county net minder Patrick Morrison all vastly experienced, should be able to do so.