STEFAN Campbell admits he had “no time to sulk” about Armagh’s devastating All-Ireland exit after being thrust back into the thick of club action with championship-chasing Clan na Gael.
Memories of the Orchard’s dramatic All-Ireland quarter-final exit to Monaghan on penalties may still be fresh, but Campbell was at his brilliant best to help Clan na Gael set up an all-Lurgan last four clash against Clann Eireann with victory over Killeavy on Sunday.
The 29-year-old finished with 0-4, three from play, and would have added a goal to his tally had it not been for a brilliant first half block on the line by Conor Magennis.
And, having taken a while to warm into this year’s championship, Campbell hit his stride as that semi-final date with the 2021 Armagh champions looms.
“I had no time to sulk, put it that way,” he smiled.
“The first night back I thought I was coming back for a kick about, but we were straight into runs and there was no going back.
“It was hard after the county season, took me a while to get going in the groups, but there’s no point peaking in the groups.”
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There was an extra bit of motivation going into Sunday’s game too, with Killeavy having pipped Clan na Gael after extra-time at the same stage last year.
Campbell pumped his fists when the long whistle sounded, the opportunity to return the favour grasped with both hands.
“It’s one of them ones - you lose a championship game then you wait a year for a shot at redemption.
“We felt we played all the football last year, went 6-1 up, they got a lucky goal, got back into the game just before half-time, got another fortuitous goal near the end of the game… obviously we had our chances to win it, but it stayed with us over the winter.
“The boys have been on the go a lot longer than me, before I came back from the county, but you don’t forget days like that in Pearse Og Park. When the draw was made, part of me was glad it was Killeavy – and that’s no disrespect. It was just a shot at redemption.
“It would’ve took a brave team to beat us out there today... we were primed to deliver there.”
The challenge now is to back it up. With reigning champions Crossmaglen pushed to the limit by Armagh Harps on Saturday night, there could be an opportunity for one of the other contenders to steal a march.
And Campbell has no doubt the Clans are capable.
“You have to believe,” he said.
“I’m sure a lot of people in the county wrote off the Harps going into that game, they never stood a chance, but when it’s wet, windy, heavy ground, all it takes is one bounce.
“Without writing too many headlines, to answer the question, we do believe - but there’s plenty of football to be played first.”
