Cormac Leonard Commercials Armagh SHC final
Keady v Middletown (Sunday, the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 4pm)
MIDDLETOWN’S unprecedented dominance of the Armagh hurling scene could reach new levels tomorrow as they bid for a sixth title in a row.
To add extra spice to the occasion, their final opponents, Keady, are the only other team to have won five on the spin (2001-05). That Keady’s team’s quest for a sixth title was denied by Middletown so there is no shortage of intrigue and sub-plots around this clash.
The two clubs have shared the stage on county final day for the previous three seasons, with the men in the black and white striped jerseys coming out on top on each occasion.
This time last year, Conor Gormley rattled the net and Dean Gaffney top-scored with 0-8 as they ran out comfortable 1-15 to 0-11 winners.
Gaffney is no longer part of the panel, but Micky Glover’s men have plenty of firepower up top to call upon. The experienced Cahal Carvill is still the go-to attacker, and he netted in their semi-final win over Craobh Rua.
Middletown squeezed by the Camlough men to reach the decider with Carvill’s first-half major the difference in the end. It wasn’t the best performance from the reigning champs, but they got through it, winning 1-11 to 0-11.
It has been a busy time for the Middletown club, with the footballers reaching the junior championship semi-final, where they will face An Port Mor next Sunday, and for a number of their dual players the week-on-week approach may be starting to drain the legs a little.
However, there’s enough championship know-how in that changing room to ensure they are as prepared as they can be. Former county hurlers Carvill, Paddy McBride, Kieran McKernan, Nathan Curry, along with Paul and Ryan Gaffney, have seen it all before.
Tiarnan Nevin is the current Armagh captain, while Sean Óg McGuinness, Odhran Curry and Fintan Woods are others that have worn the orange and white this season. Youngsters such as Rory Grimes and Charlie McArdle are keen to step up too.
Keady have already tasted championship success this week with an underage double on Wednesday night. Their U14 and U18 sides both captured their respective crowns, so the seniors will hope to follow suit tomorrow.
The Lámh Dhearg men had to battle for their place in the decider and eventually shook off the attentions of Derrynoose in the semi-final, with goals from star man and top-scorer Conor Corvan, Sean Colton and Tomas Galvin.
Keady have a superb midfield partnership of Shea Harvey and Connor Renaghan, while the accurate Fionntan Donnelly has the potential to play a vital role in guiding his side over the line for the first time since 2018.
It could all come down to small margins and one thing is for sure, Keady won’t want Middletown to create history on their watch. That should make for an exciting duel, but Middletown look the safer bet.
