Hurling & Camogie

Armagh hurlers take first steps in Division 2A against Kildare

Experienced forward Ryan Gaffney will lead the Amragh attack tomorrow
Experienced forward Ryan Gaffney will lead the Amragh attack tomorrow Experienced forward Ryan Gaffney will lead the Amragh attack tomorrow

Allianz National Hurling League Division 2A: Armagh v Kildare (tomorrow, the Athletic Grounds, 1.15pm)

By Andy Watters

ARMAGH take their first steps up at Division 2A level tomorrow afternoon when they host old rivals Kildare at the Athletic Grounds.

Since winning Division 2B last year the Orchardmen have lost leading forward Declan Coulter to Donegal while Kildare received a huge boost when former Kilkenny All-Ireland winner John Mulhall transferred to spearhead their attack.

Mulhall’s presence means the Lilywhites are favourites with the bookies and they have a decent record in the Cathedral City – back in 2015 they prevailed in a cracker that ended 3-23 to 3-14.

Kildare were promoted that year but struggled in Division 2A last season. Their three points came from a draw with London and victory over Derry in the last round of fixtures.

Meanwhile, Armagh had a superb season in 2B, finishing joint top with Down and then beating the Ardsmen in the final to clinch promotion. Manager Syl McConnell expects the Orchardmen to give a good account of themselves at a higher level.

“Kildare are one of the best teams we’ve played in the two-year spell that I’ve been with Armagh,” he said.

“They were very good the last time we played them at the Athletic Grounds – they absolutely tore us to bits – so it’s a tricky one for us starting of. They have brought a few lads in and that’s left it a very big task but it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to.

“We didn’t come up to this League by luck, we came up to it by playing hurling so we hope we can get the performances we managed last year. This was always going to be a game for us to see where we are in this League and try to find our feet.

“Our preparation has been reasonably good and we think we’re strong enough to compete.”

With just seven hurling clubs to pick from, McConnell has very limited numbers at his disposal and he has included Sean Treacy’s, Lurgan duo David Bridges and Danny Magee in his staring line-up for tomorrow.

Former Kilkenny star John Mulhall will line-out for Kildare tomorrow
Former Kilkenny star John Mulhall will line-out for Kildare tomorrow Former Kilkenny star John Mulhall will line-out for Kildare tomorrow

“We have a couple of new faces in and they have earned their places,” he said.

“It might take them a while to adapt and they’re coming in at a high level but they’ve been showing all the right signs in training and in challenge matches.

“We have seven clubs and that’s your pick and there’s not a big pile more lads coming to the table. Your hand is dealt and we have to prepare the best we can.

“In Division 2A every other county has at least 12 senior clubs and Westmeath have over 20, so that shows you the challenge we’re up against.

"But it’s not impossible, the clubs know each other and the players know each other inside out and when you get that harmony you get a club atmosphere within your group that maybe other counties don’t have.”

Armagh will need that camaraderie as this season unfolds. After Kildare they host London and Antrim and travel to Westmeath and Carlow.

“Going up to this level it’s all about performance and showing that every lad is fit to stay at this level,” he said.

“I believe the players in this panel are well fit to play at this level. If we can perform and cut out the mistakes we’ll be fit to stay at this level, there’s no problem with that.”

Meanwhile, McConnell wished former Orchard star Declan Coulter well after his transfer to Donegal.

“He served Armagh well and he’s settled in Donegal now,” he said.

“It wasn’t productive for him to travel and, what can you say, sometimes there more important things in life than hurling.”

Armagh: S Doherty; C Clifford, A McGuinness, D Bridges; J Corvan, S Gaffney, T Nevin; N Curry, S Renaghan; P McKearney, C Corvan, D Carvill; D Magee, R Gaffney, C Carvill

Kildare: TBC