Hurling & Camogie

Armagh eager to maintain momentum against Dublin

Armagh's Bernie Murray 
Armagh's Bernie Murray  Armagh's Bernie Murray 

ARMAGH are back in action in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Premier Junior Championship, the Orchard girls got their All-Ireland campaign off to a winning start by seeing off Dublin and will be hoping to build on that victory at home tomorrow.

Captain Ciara Donnelly has provided the main threat for Armagh this season with her powerful running and sharpshooting, the Eglish player also works hard out the field to stop counter attacks.

At the back joint captain Grainne Kelly has used her experience to lead the defence, with Hannah McGeown, Caoibhe McKenna and Eimear Hayes all remaining

Upfront Armagh can call on Rachael Merry, Leanne Donnelly and Collette McSorely to provide the scores and with hardworking midfielders in Andrea McAlinden and Bernie Murray the Orchard County are hard to break down.

Both Murray and McAlinden are more than capable of joining in the attack and providing scores if required.

Armagh also have talented players like minor captain Leah McGoldrick who can come on and change the game.

Westmeath are also looking for their second win of the campaign after they saw off Roscommon in the opening game.

Armagh managers Jim McCormack and Paddy McArdle have employed a one game at a time policy throughout the season and they will approach tomorrow's game in the same manner as they are fully aware of the threat Westmeath pose.

McArdle said: "The preparation has gone really well all year, we have been lucky to get a group of 35 girls together that have bought into everything we have asked of them from the beginning.

"We are carrying a few injuries but I suppose that's to be expected at this time of the year when games are coming thick and fast.

"Sometimes it's hard to judge exactly what the mood in the camp is like but I do know one thing, the girls are seriously focused on what lies ahead and are fully aware of the threat Westmeath pose.

"We had a very good win against a very strong Dublin team two weeks back so hopefully we can get another few points on the board and take another step closer to the holy grail of Croke Park," he added.

Antrim also return to action in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Intermediate Championship.

The Ulster Champions are in search of their first victory after losing out to Laois last weekend in their opening game of this year's Championship.

Wexford will also be looking for a victory after losing out to Tipperary in their opening round match by six points.

FIXTURES

Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Group 1 (Saturday): Antrim vs Wexford, Glenravel GAC at 2.30pm

Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Premier Junior Championship (Sunday): Armagh v Westmeath, Keady GAA at 2.30pm