Middletown eager to make next step

MIDDLETOWN captain Ryan Gaffney believes that a win on Sunday would give both his club and Armagh some much-needed recognition, and pave the way for a future step up to provincial senior level hurling.
And there is a very real chance of that happening as the ten-time Armagh SHC winners meet first-time finalists Castleblayney.
“It would mean a lot to the club. It would give us a lot of recognition, which we need. We want to play in the Senior Championship and if we were to win this final it might raise the bar in Armagh. It would be the first time that the club has won an Ulster Championship.”
It won’t be the first time that an Armagh team have won the Intermediate title though, Keady won the UIHC back in 2007.
Optimism is something that is becoming more and more prevalent among hurlers in Armagh. Two years ago the county minors reached an Ulster final, and earlier this year, the seniors reached the provincial decider. They are no longer happy to be the whipping boys in the small-ball game.
However, the same men are aware that they must be cautious when going into games which they are fancied to win.
“We are expecting a tight game. We are know they are a capable team. Though we know our boys are going to be up for it as well. We have got stronger this year. We managed to win the Armagh league and the championship.”

To read the full preview of the Ulster club Intermediate Hurling Championship buy the current issue of Gaelic Life (out on October 20)