Shaun Casey ; The Sideline Eye
It’s All-Ireland final weekend for the Armagh Minors as they meet Longford in the ‘C’ decider on Saturday. The Orchard Ladies travel to Clones hoping to get their hands on an All-Ireland title for the first time since 2011.
They already have Ulster medals in their back pockets having defeated Derry back in May. Armagh then hammered Leitrim the last day out in the All-Ireland semi-final to reach the biggest day of all.
In arguably their most complete performance to date, the Connacht girls couldn’t get to grips with Armagh at all. The girls in orange and white ran riot from start to finish and comfortably saw off their opponents.
Across the Ulster final and their last four battle, Stephen Gollogly’s girls have rattled home ten goals. If they are to be successful on Saturday afternoon, then their sharpshooters up front will have to be on form.
Caoimhe Gollogly has posted 2-11 in those two games, Lily McBennett has posted 2-8 while Alanna O’Neill has claimed 2-6. Jessica McCreesh, Emma Hart, Aoife McDonald and Aoife Farrell have also raised green flags.
For minor footballers, there’s plenty of experience throughout the team as well. Three of the players have already claimed their inter-county championship debuts at the highest level throughout the season.
Both Cassie Henderson and Erin Melanophy came off the bench last weekend for Armagh as they came up short in their All-Ireland semi-final against Galway. Blaithin Carragher also gained some valuable game time earlier in the year.
This weekend’s opponents Longford have a bit of flair in attack as well and they beat Limerick 5-11 to 2-11 in their semi-final. Centre half forward Shauna Madden bagged a hattrick, including two penalties, while Ailbhe Mulligan notched the other two majors.
Given the attacking exploits of both semi-finals, Saturday could be a real shootout. The defences at both ends of the field will be extremely important and Armagh will fancy their chances of claiming the title.
