ARMAGH captain Kelly Mallon said the overriding feeling at finally landing the Division Two league title was one of relief after their 4-9 to 2-10 win over Laois in Saturday’s final at Croke Park.
The Orchard county have been resident in the second tier of league football since 2018 and the closest they had come since then to getting back to Division One was last year but they fell short against Kerry in the league final.
This time around, they made no mistake, and a blistering start that saw them score all four of their goals in the first nine minutes, paved the way for this five-point victory.
“We’re delighted to get back into Division One, we’re all buzzing with the win and just really relieved to get the job done. It was sheer relief to finally get over the line and achieve our goal of playing Division One football,” said Mallon.
Laois got the first score of the game but when Aoife McCoy poked home the first goal in the third minute they never looked back and immediately from the Laois kick-out Aimee Mackin’s pass into full-forward Kelly Mallon evaded everyone and bounced into the back of the net.
Two minutes later the player of the match had a second major before completing her hat-trick and there was not even 10 minutes gone.
Laois were playing major catch-up trailing 4-0 to 0-3 after the first quarter but they outscored their opponents 2-2 to 0-5 over the second and third quarters.
The deficit at half-time was seven points, 4-3 to 1-5, Mo Nerney’s 28th-minute goal from the penalty spot giving them some hope and Laura Nerney’s 43rd-minute major left just a kick of the ball between then 4-4 to 2-7.
That spurned Armagh into action and they reeled off the next five points through Mallon, Mackin (free), Niamh Reel, McCoy and Blaithin Mackin to put them eight ahead with nine minutes remaining.
It proved enough as Laois could only manage another three points. Mallon recognised the importance of that fast start, especially as they knew Laois would battle all the way and that they had learned from the heartache of last year’s final defeat to Kerry when they were up by four points but lost by a goal.
“We had a blistering start to the game, thankfully as it was nip and tuck after that. We sometimes take a while to get going so it was pleasing to start so well.
“Our reaction to their second goal was really positive, we didn’t panic and kept the scoreboard ticking. I think it’s testament to the growth of the girls to win those moments.”
They enjoyed the win but attentions for Shane McCormack and his players now turns to the defence of their Ulster senior title with the championship getting under way at the end of the month and their first game coming on May 5 against Donegal.
“We enjoyed the celebrations and have Monday off but we’ll be back at it after that and turn our focus to the Ulster championship,” added Mallon.