Football

2020 Armagh Senior Club Football All-Stars revealed ...

Maghery's Brian Fox celebrates scoring a goal en route to lifting the Gerry Fegan Cup in the Athletic Grounds after victory over Crossmaglen. Picture by Seamus Loughran
Maghery's Brian Fox celebrates scoring a goal en route to lifting the Gerry Fegan Cup in the Athletic Grounds after victory over Crossmaglen. Picture by Seamus Loughran Maghery's Brian Fox celebrates scoring a goal en route to lifting the Gerry Fegan Cup in the Athletic Grounds after victory over Crossmaglen. Picture by Seamus Loughran

1) Tiarnan McConville (Crossmaglen)

McConville’s availability for the final may not have swung the title Crossmaglen’s way, but it surely would have improved their chances against Maghery. He had been in super form as the Rangers made it back to the decider, combining super saves with accurate kick-outs. His brightest moment undoubtedly came in the semi-final win over Killeavy. Stephen Kernan’s 14 men were under the cosh late on and when Niall Magennis punched towards goal, their season looked over. However, McConville somehow got across his goal to deflect the ball away – the crucial moment in their two-point win.

2) Cathair McKinney (Killeavy)

Like a lot of the Killeavy players, McKinney wasn’t pinned down to one position and performed a number of roles excellently for the south Armagh side. Overall, he was incredibly solid as the team defeated Grange (after extra-time), Armagh Harps and pushed Crossmaglen all the way in the semi-final as they came close to their first final appearance since 1988. McKinney is yet to enter his prime, so should be a massive player for the club for years to come.

3) Gerard Campbell (Maghery)

Campbell picked up his second county title and brought real experience and guile to Maghery’s defence. His height proved a great weapon in repelling any aerial threat and, like all his teammates at the back, he was given license to break forward should the opportunity arise. He was on target in their battle with Clann Eireann and he kicked a point in the county final against Cross to put his side into a lead that they would not relinquish.

4) Stephen Cusack (Maghery)

Tended to wear the number 4 jersey but was liable to pop up in any of the 14 outfield positions. Cusack has been one of the most consistent club players in Armagh over the last five years and he had another huge role to play as Maghery won their second title. It was noticeable that Maghery’s biggest challenge came in the quarter-final against Clann Eireann, a match Cusack missed through injury. Kept his cool to slot home a crucial penalty in the semi-final win over Pearse Og.

5 Brendan Haveron (Maghery)

Haveron developed into one of Maghery’s main man-markers and took on the challenge of Crossmaglen’s Cian McConville, Clann Eireann’s John Magee and Pearse Og player James Freeman. He came out on top of those duels against three very talented men. They are very different players too, so Haveron showed his class against various styles. He also showed that he could be a danger at the other end as he finished off a brilliant team move for Maghery’s first goal in the county final.

6 Ciaran Higgins (Maghery)

Higgins looked every bit the county player this season and it seems inevitable that he will start to play a bigger role for Armagh in the years to come. Rotated nicely from centre half-back to full-back with Gerard Campbell to help snuff out any danger, but it was his bursts forward through the heart of the opposition that really stood out. That gained serious yards for the team and given his physicality, it was near impossible to stop those forays.

7 Vincey Brady (Pearse Og)

Brady was a real rock at the back as Pearse Og made it to the last four of this year’s championship before running out of steam against eventual champions Maghery. He has long been a fan-favourite around Ballycrummy for his no-nonsense approach, and he showed that again with fine performances in the wins over Cullyhanna and Madden. Hit the target in their historic penalty shoot-out win over the Raparees and popped up with a few points throughout the campaign.

8 Chris Rafferty (Pearse Og)

Rafferty may be about to turn 39 but if you can still perform like he is, then why would you even think about retirement? When Shane McConville came into the club ahead of the 2019 season, he knew that Rafferty was as dependable as they come, and he showed it once again over the last few months. Forged a good partnership with the marauding Anto Duffy, who really likes to attack, but Rafferty also managed to get on the front foot and kicked a lovely early score in the semi-final match with Maghery.

9 Oisin O’Neill (Crossmaglen)

The older of the two O’Neill brothers on the team was simply exceptional this year. He took some amazing fetches around the midfield area and was a constant scoring threat as he totted up 2-14 in just four games. Kicked five points from play in the county final, as well as a mark, so his contribution in that defeat simply can’t be questioned. Was flying for Armagh pre-lockdown and carried that form into the club season. Orchard fans will be hoping that he can do likewise when the inter-county season resumes.

10 Conor Grimley (Madden)

Grimley was a real livewire for Madden as they came close to reaching the Armagh Senior semi-finals for the first time since 1996. The Raparees stunned Ballymacnab, finalists in 2018 and ’19, in the first round with a four-point derby win and they also pushed Pearse Og all the way in the quarter-final before losing out on penalties. The player kicked over a few points that night but he also played a major part in both their goals and tucked away his spot-kick in the shoot-out.

11Aidan Forker (Maghery)

Started the championship campaign by kicking a couple of ‘worldies’ against Dromintee and finished it by blasting the ball past Crossmaglen’s David McEntee in the county final to give Maghery the control they needed. Forker may be an out-and-out defender for Armagh these days, but he is very much the attacking force for the Sean McDermott’s. He made things happen all season and kicked over some fine points throughout their successful run to the title. Man of the Match in the county final.

12 Stefan Forker (Maghery)

Like his younger brother Aidan, Stefan Forker played an important role as Finnian Moriarty’s side were the team left standing at the end of the championship season. While he never dominated games, he had a tendency to produce 15- or 20-minute patches that would have a big say on the outcome. Perhaps most important of all was his first-half showing in the semi-final against Pearse Og. After a difficult start, Maghery came back and took control and it was mainly down to Forker’s graft and creativity.

13 Brian Fox (Maghery)

One of the players of the championship as Maghery claimed their second title in five years. Provided a constant goal threat and hit the net against Dromintee in the first round and Crossmaglen in the final. Fox also landed some great scores in the side’s crucial quarter-final match with Clann Eireann. Finnian Moriarty’s side needed extra-time to see off the Lurgan outfit by a point and on a night when they were missing some key men, Fox really stood up.

14 Rian O’Neill (Crossmaglen)

Rian O’Neill may not have shot the lights out like he usually does, but his overall influence for Crossmaglen was again huge. Sometimes the game just looks too easy for him and his strength and fielding ability really are exceptional. The final didn’t work out but his work-rate was evident as he helped force a number of turnovers that were punished while he also set his brother Oisin and cousin Cian McConville up for countless scores throughout the year.

15 Caolan McConville (Killeavy)

McConville has been more used to playing midfield in recent seasons, but he spent some time on the edge of the square this year and did serious damage. Got a goal in the extra-time win over Grange and was superb in the first half of their quarter-final win over Armagh Harps. Also managed three points in the semi-final as Killeavy came close to causing a massive shock against Crossmaglen before coming up just short.