JASON Duffy insists Armagh’s eyes are firmly fixed on preserving their Division One status – but also wants to end the county’s search for an Ulster title this season.
Mullaghbawn native Peter McDonnell guided the Orchard men to their last provincial title in 2008 after a final replay win over Fermanagh and they haven’t appeared in a final since.
To illustrate how long it has been since Armagh reached the provincial summit, Duffy was around eight-years-old when Paul McGrane lifted the Anglo-Celt.
On Saturday night, Kieran McGeeney’s men pulled away from the relegation zone with a narrow win over Donegal – their second victory from five games – and they have Galway coming to the Box-It Athletic Grounds on March 18 before rounding off their NFL campaign against a resurgent Tyrone the following week.
“There is work to do and we’re by no means safe,” cautioned the Cullyhanna attacker.
“But it definitely gives us a wee bit of space and freedom to express ourselves a bit more and give it a rattle but the games against Galway and Tyrone are obviously very important.
“To stay in Division One is massive because you want to be playing the best teams week in, week out. That’s how you’re going to develop as a player and as a team.
“You’re coming to play Donegal and you’re grinding out a win, it gives you a lot of confidence, especially with the Ulster Championship coming up, it’s something to look back on and take confidence from it too, so it definitely is very important [to staying in Division One].”
Duffy added: “We’re obviously focusing on the League at the minute but Armagh haven’t won an Ulster title since 2008 so it’s definitely something you’d want to be going for. I know the League and the group stages of the Championship are going to be important but, definitely, we’re going to be pushing for the Ulster Championship.”
Armagh open their Ulster Championship account at home to Antrim on Saturday April 8, a team who are currently struggling two divisions below them.
Armagh found themselves slightly under pressure in Division One going into last weekend’s Donegal game after losing narrowly to Kerry in Tralee – a defeat that was partially self-inflicted.
“We were massively disappointed to lose against Kerry because we were in the game for the whole 70 minutes but a couple of mistakes just tipped it in their favour,” said Duffy.
“But it does give you confidence going down there and being so close, but you need those points.”
Duffy has been a regular starter in the Orchard attack over the last two seasons and really came to prominence by scoring a goal against Dublin at Croke Park in the early throes of last year’s Division One campaign.
But with the likes of Jemar Hall, Ross McQuillan, Rory Grugan and Tiernan Kelly on the bench against Donegal, nobody can take their place for granted.
“There are no nights off at training,” said Duffy. “The competition for places is wild. You could have six starting forwards and another six on the bench, it is outrageous. I suppose those boys are pushing us on and we’re pushing them on, so it’s healthy for the squad.”
Duffy also paid tribute to the fantastic support they got from the home supporters on Saturday night at a heaving Athletic Grounds.
“The supporters are unbelievable. Even when you get in a tight spot you can hear the chants of ‘Armagh’. They are there for you with every ball. It is unbelievable.”
