Hurling & Camogie

McConnell relieved to be dealing from full Armagh deck

Armagh manager Sylvester McConnell has three key players back for the Nicky Rackard Cup clash with holders Tyrone
Armagh manager Sylvester McConnell has three key players back for the Nicky Rackard Cup clash with holders Tyrone Armagh manager Sylvester McConnell has three key players back for the Nicky Rackard Cup clash with holders Tyrone

AHEAD of Armagh's derby clash with Tyrone on Saturday, manager Sylvester McConnell has expressed his satisfaction at being able to pick from a decent sized panel.

Armagh began their Nicky Rackard Cup campaign with a good win against Louth last time out and will travel to Carrickmore to face the cup holders in confident mood.

For the Louth game, McConnell was able to spring from the bench, Declan Coulter, who scored three points in the five point win, as well as the captain of the side, John Corvan. Conor Corvan is also "going well too" according to the manager who is happy to have "three very sharp players" back at his disposal.

"The lads are going well and we're starting to click back in again. We have near enough all of our injured players back so we will be picking from a full pack which is nearly the first time this year so we are looking forward to that," said McConnell.

"We are now having to start scratching our heads and think, and we are picking our teams now to suit who we are playing against as well, which is a good sign.

"When you are in a tournament like this that's going on five or six weeks straight and you are running into game after game and you don't have much time to train in between - your squad makes a big difference and we've found that we've gathered a good squad of players. So it should suit in this tournament. It should give every lad a chance," he continued.

Mattie Lennon's side come into the game having beaten Donegal in their opener - a measure of revenge for their defeat in the promotion/relegation play-off - and McConnell is well aware of the threat posed by a buoyant and revitalised Red Hand outfit.

"Tyrone are the team who are in the limelight," McConnell pointed out.

"They are Nicky Rackard holders, so it's a big game. They always have good hurlers so Tyrone are one of the top teams in it and they are going to be there or thereabouts.

"They are flying high - they have been very unlucky. Taking Donegal to a replay - it was very unfortunate that they had to do that. Getting straight promotion would have made more sense for a team that's making good strides - it's going to hold them back for a year which is a pity when lads are into their hurling and going well."

In the last two games of the league Armagh boasted nine different scorers and as McConnell points out - it means that they don't have to rely as heavily on sharpshooter, Ryan Gaffney who hit 1-6 including four frees in the Louth match.

"We've been happy enough with all the performances - we're not just relying on Ryan - we're getting scores from all over the field," said the manager.

"It shows that the balance of the team is coming along well and that the players are all moving well.

McConnell's side had three wins in the league, beating Donegal, Meath and Mayo to finish mid-table on six points. McConnell revealed that this fulfilled a goal for the team although he lamented having to play Kildare and Down early in the campaign.

"We aimed to beat a couple of Christy Ring teams and that's exactly what we did," he said.

"Looking at it afterwards - having Kildare and Down so early was a bit of a disadvantage because they were the two teams to beat in the league.

"Building into the other games - it would have been great to have Down and Kildare at the end but everyone has their ups and downs in the league. You have to take the draw that you get. Those two games just came a fraction too early for us the way the team was evolving," he added.