It is very much a family affair on the inter-county scene for Clodagh McCambridge as the dependable defender gets ready to lead Armagh into the forthcoming All-Ireland senior ladies football championship as team captain.
A part of the set-up since 2015, McCambridge has been joined on the Orchard panel this year by her younger sister Meabh.
Whereas Clodagh started the game at full-back - and climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand to lift the silverware on offer - Meabh appeared as a 57th minute substitute when Armagh claimed an historic Lidl National Football League Division One crown with a final victory against Kerry at Croke Park in April.
The younger McCambridge also came off the bench to replace the injured Aimee Mackin when the Ulster side recorded an extra-time triumph over Donegal in an Ulster Senior Football Championship decider at St Tiernach’s Park, Clones on May 19.
Additionally, the McCambridge family are also represented on the Armagh men’s football team with Clodagh and Meabh’s brother Barry having started their recent All-Ireland series games against Westmeath and Derry.
“Meabh is relatively new into the camp, but we’re glad to have her. She’s an asset in terms of attacking and defensively. She’s one of those players that can sort of play anywhere.
“Glad to see her getting her run-out as well in the Ulster final and getting a first win for her,” Clodagh remarked at last week’s All-Ireland ladies football championship launch in Croke Park.
“It’s a busy household, but it’s great. We love seeing Barry getting on as well and Meabh. Whereas Meabh used to just be coming to watch my games or Barry’s games, now she’s getting involved as well. I think Mom and Dad are happy enough there. Kept busy anyway!”
Despite the news that Aimee Mackin will miss out on the campaign with a cruciate ligament injury sustained in that Ulster final win over Donegal - Louise Kenny was also withdrawn in the same game with a shoulder joint issue - Armagh will still come into the All-Ireland championship with lofty ambitions.
This is unsurprising given how strong the pedigree of their manager Greg McGonigle is. In the space of six years from 2011 to 2016, the Derry native guided either Monaghan or Dublin to five All-Ireland senior final appearances.
McGonigle was also McCambridge’s club manager in Clann Eireann last year, when he guided the Lurgan-based outfit to both county and provincial title successes.
“He has so much experience. We were lucky enough to have him involved with our club as well in Clann Eireann and we had a great season with him. Probably unprecedented success to some of us.
“I think bringing that then into the Armagh set-up, where he was so familiar then with the club scene, it’s brilliant. We’ve kind of just hit the ground running under him. He has given us great belief in ourselves and just getting the best out of the group, which is brilliant as well.”
Having previously managed the county back in 2009, McGonigle returned to the Armagh hot seat last September as a replacement for Shane McCormack - who had guided the Orchard women to a National Football League Division Two crown in his sole season at the helm.
Interestingly, the former Kildare goalkeeper is now in charge of Meath, who provide the opposition to Armagh in their opening game in Group One of the All-Ireland senior championship at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds this Saturday (throw-in 2pm).
“You can’t get any better than former All-Ireland winners in the first game. It’s going to be really tough, we know they have quality players and we know their management well. It’ll be great to have it at home and hopefully we’ll get a big crowd out to support us as well.”
— Clodagh McCambridge
When the two sides met at Donaghmore/Ashbourne GAA in round four of this year’s Division One league, Armagh emerged with a convincing 2-12 to 0-8 victory.
A recent heavy reversal to Dublin in a Leinster Senior Football Championship final at Croke Park further suggests the Royals aren’t at the same level as they were for their All-Ireland final wins of 2021 and 2022, but McCambridge is still expecting a tough battle.
“You can’t get any better than former All-Ireland winners in the first game. It’s going to be really tough, we know they have quality players and we know their management well. It’ll be great to have it at home and hopefully we’ll get a big crowd out to support us as well.”
Following this weekend’s game, Armagh will complete their Group One campaign with a visit to Munster outfit Tipperary on Saturday. With the top team in each group gaining home advantage at the quarter-final stage of the Brendan Martin Cup, McCambridge and her team-mates will be attacking both of these fixtures with all their might.
“I think home advantage can’t be underestimated going into a quarter-final. Obviously we’ll be trying to get a result in both of those games, but I know Meath and Tipperary will probably be thinking the same. They’re both quality opposition,” McCambridge added.
TG4 ALL-IRELAND LADIES’ SFC ROUND ONE
SATURDAY, JUNE 8
Group 1 Armagh v Meath (the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds, 2pm, live on Sport TG4)
SUNDAY, JUNE 9
Group 2 Donegal v Kerry (Páirc Seán Mac Cumhaill, 1.05pm, live on TG4)
Group 3 Laois v Cork (Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 2pm, live on Sport TG4)
Group 4 Dublin v Mayo (Parnell Park, 2.50pm, live on TG4)
