WHAT a difference a year makes.
This time last year the scenic route for Armagh’s Fiachra Bradley meant a cruise down the Yangtze River in Shanghi, but fast forward 12 months and that has changed to playing Longford in Crossmaglen.
Two very different worlds but for Bradley he missed hurling too much and for him absence did make the heart grow stronger.
Bradley was speaking after his opening goal helped Armagh comfortably defeat Longford 4-20 to 0-12 and set up a Nicky Rackard Cup semi-final against Tyrone.
“This time last year I was floating about Shanhigh and it was a completely different reality to what I am at this year,” said Bradley.
“I was teaching at an international school and it was an experience. I got back towards the end of last year for the Ulster Hurling Championship but absence has given me the hunger to push on so there are big changes from last year and I am just glad to be here every time I pull on a jersey if I am honest.”
Bradley is the only player from Camlough hurling Craobh Rua. Nestled between Camlough and Bessbrook in south Armagh, Bradley has been part of the Armagh set-up since 2006.
He played in midfield on Saturday and acknowledges his responsibility with representing a small club at inter-county level.
“It always is a good honour for the club and it is great to see young lads from our club coming out and supporting us – hopefully we can get a crack at Croke Park and bring a crowd of young lads down with us,” said Bradley.
“That is always the benefits of progressing as the more they see players from their own club playing in Croke Park the more they know they can work towards that too.”
Having lost to Donegal, wins over Louth and most recently Longford have set Armagh up a Nicky Rackard Cup showdown with rivals Tyrone on Saturday, May 20, and after five games on the trot Bradley is keen to make the most of having an extra week to prepare.
“Overall this is about getting us to where we want to be,” said Bradley.
“We took the scenic route but the main thing is that we are looking forward to a semi-final.
“That’s five games in as many weeks so at least we will have a two week break before we play Tyrone and we can regroup and we have boys back from injury already, so we will have more time to recuperate and push on now.
“We got off to a good start (against Longford) and I suppose we have been looking for that and we maybe could done more but it is about time that we started to create a few goal opportunities, so for us it is coming together at the right time and we just need to keep that going as we head into the semi-final.”
Having lost two Nicky Rackard Finals in as many year’s Bradley is desperate to help his team get over the line as the feels being stuck in the Nicky Rackard competition is hampering the progress Armagh hurling could make.
“Without a doubt, we have missed the boat for two years in a row and it is as simple as that,” said Bradley.
“We know what we are capable of and we are well fit to be hurling with any of the teams in Division 2A and we would fancy ourselves against any of the teams in the Christy Ring competition. It is just something we need to win and we need to make it happen and see it through.
“People say third time lucky, but you make your own luck and that is what we will be looking to do and what we do over the next two weeks will be part of that journey.”
