IT’S “win or bust” for Armagh in this weekend’s final round of group games, says Ross McQuillan who could be in line for a first start in Kieran McGeeney’s side since he returned from Aussie Rules against Donegal on Saturday night.
None of the counties in claustrophobic Division One North can afford defeat and Armagh host Declan Bonner’s table-toppers at the Athletic Grounds knowing they can leapfrog them, and seal a semi-final place, with victory. However, defeat will leave Kieran McGeeney’s newly-promoted outfit heading for a relegation play-off.
Donegal travel to the Cathedral City minus their main man Michael Murphy but they have three points on the board and will fancy their chances against the injury-ravaged Orchardmen, particularly after the most recent meeting of the sides ended in a one-sided humiliation for Armagh in last year’s Ulster Championship.
Armagh had sealed promotion and beaten Derry at the quarter-final stage but their good run was brought to a shuddering halt by a Donegal side that out-played them on the day and won by 12 points.
McQuillan was an Essendon player back then but the talented Cullyhanna clubman decided to cut his ties with Aussie Rules and return home to concentrate on Gaelic Football. McQuillan says his team-mates are determined to give a better account of themselves against their Tir Chonaill opponents on Saturday evening.
“A lot of the boys would have had this game earmarked from last year,” he said.
“They didn’t give a true reflection of themselves and, after Donegal drew (against Monaghan), it’s all to play for. It’s win or bust and that’s the way you want it.”
McQuillan pulled on his county colours in the opening round win over Monaghan for the first time in over two years and the Armagh line-up that began against Clare that day in February 2019 included 11 of the starters who took the field against Tyrone last Saturday night.
McQuillan began the game on the bench but replaced injured James Morgan midway through the first half as Armagh battled back from five points behind to get their noses in front.
Tyrone proved too strong in the end and while he said he was “delighted to be back” in the Armagh fold, losing to Tyrone was a bitter pill to swallow for the Cullyhanna clubman.
“I’m delighted to be back, I came home to play for Armagh at the top level and to try and get the scalp of one of the big teams and push on from there,” he said.
“We showed a lot of heart and we fought to the end but, ultimately, you want to be winning those games. We want to be sitting at the top table so you need to be grinding out results but they (Tyrone) showed their experience in the end and they got over the line.
“We had no fear. It showed good character from us to fight back but we’ll have to reflect on it and pick up what we need to pick up from it. I’m happy to be back and playing but ultimately you want the team to be performing and winning games.”
