CHARLIE Vernon has a clear idea of what Armagh will be up against ahead of next weekend’s Division Three showdown with Westmeath and admitted they were lucky to beat the Leinster men in last year’s All-Ireland Qualifier in Cusack Park.
Both Armagh and Westmeath got off to winning starts in their Allianz League openers against Sligo and Derry, respectively.
The Orchard men skated to an easy 14-point win over Sligo while a missed penalty from Derry’s Enda Lynn allowed Westmeath to escape with the points at Celtic Park.
“We’ve Westmeath up next week and we beat them in the Championship last year,” said Vernon.
“I know what that’s like when you go and play a team that put you out of the Championship.
“We know what’s ahead of us. If they’d brought their shooting boots in that match last year they would have beaten us.”
Armagh escaped by the skin of their teeth in that Championship clash and went on to reach the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
Despite several high-profile players missing from their ranks in 2018, the Orchard men looked very assured in easing past Sligo with Vernon, Paul Hughes, Rory Grugan, Andy Murnin, Ethan Rafferty, Aidan Forker and Mark Shields posting excellent displays.
Over the past few years, Armagh have stuttered in the early stages of their League campaigns. Last season, they picked up just one point from their opening two fixtures – but they hit the ground running last Sunday.
“We’re happy to get a good start to the League – that’s what everybody wants. It was a fairly strong performance. We made a few sloppy mistakes, if you were to pick holes in it and Sligo didn’t really punish those, but we’re happy with the result.
“You need a good start and you need the points on the board. It’s normally coming down to the last few games and needing victories and hanging on by your fingernails.
“We’re just going out and trying to perform and be at our best. Some days it works for you – it worked for us against Sligo – and other days it’s going to be tough and you have to grind it out. There are a lot of competitive teams in this division; you could nearly throw a blanket over the whole lot of us because everybody can beat everybody else."
Vernon, who was moved out of defence into midfield alongside Stephen Sheridan for Sunday's oepner, added: “The first match of the League last year, Sligo drew with us, even though we felt we were in control of the game. They got a dubious penalty in that game, so things like that stick in the back of your head.
“But we’re very much focusing on the present. We want to get up to the highest division we can and play the best teams.”
Vernon also praised the performances of newcomers Patrick Burns of Forkhill and his Armagh Harps club-mate Ryan McShane.
“It’s good to see Ryan coming in because I’ve seen what he can do with the club,” said the 31-year-old, now in his 13th year with the Armagh seniors.
“It’s a step up for him, but he got his opportunity and I hope he continues to work hard, because that’s what’s required. And Paddy [Burns] as well. He’s had an unlucky time with injuries and it’s good to see him on the pitch to see what he can do.”
Ethan Rafferty also caught the eye with a fine 1-3 from play against Sligo.
“Ethan’s had his ups and downs with injuries but he’s a quality player. You saw in the Kildare game last year his whopper score – they’re still playing highlights of that one. He definitely has that ability.”
