ARMAGH have enjoyed an unbeaten run to tomorrow’s National League Division Three final against Roscommon (Coralstown/Kinnegad, 2pm), booking their spot with a one point victory over Dublin but joint-captain Ciara Donnelly knows that the final will be a different challenge for her side.
“The target from the start of the season has just been to take each game as it comes and the target for each game was to win it,” she said.
“So far, so good but we know it’s not going to be an easy task.
“We know that Roscommon are strong. We’ve had some really tough games with them over the last few years so we’re definitely not taking anything for granted.
“We’ll be going out to do the best we can and to be the better team on the day.
“I’m definitely looking forward to it now. It’s where we aim to be so it’s just a matter of hopefully going out to do the business.”
The Eglish player believes that the new management of Jim McCormack and Paddy McArdle have helped the side gain confidence, saying:
“The management that came in this year has pushed things on. The morale is good, everyone wants to be in training and the competitiveness is good. It makes it easier to go and to enjoy it.
Roscommon overcame Kerry in their semi-final, with Niamh Coyle and Aisling Rogerson playing a key role and the Armagh defence will need to be sharp tomorrow.
Kelley Hopkins, Annette McGeeney and Fiona Connell all caused problems for Armagh the last time the sides met and the Rossies will hope that they bring their best tomorrow as they aim to build on the momentum of last year, when they reached the All-Ireland Premier Junior final.
Armagh will be boosted by the fact that Donnelly’s joint-captain Grainne Kelly, who anchors the side from centre-half back, has overcome injury and will be ready to face Roscommon tomorrow.
Donnelly, Colette McSorley and Leanne Donnelly will provide the main scoring threat for Armagh while the experience of Bernie Murray, Andrea McAlinden and Joanne Mallon has proved invaluable throughout their National League campaign.
Only four points separated the two sides when they meet earlier in the season in the National League so tomorrow’s game promises to be a thriller as they battle for promotion to Division Two.
