Armagh prepared for the unknown

Armagh’s Kelly Mallon

The senior ladies of Armagh head to Offaly this weekend for their live televised All-Ireland Intermediate Championship semi-final, hoping that they can repeat the championship exploits of the past and create another memorable championship day when they take on Longford.

The Orchard girls warmed up for their semi-final clash with a comprehensive 4-14 to 2-12 victory over Waterford in their play-off game. That play-off was required after Armagh and the Deise had finished level, both with wins over Down and London, and a draw when they met first time around.

This weekend’s opponents Longford were equally as impressive through their group stage campaign. They registered four wins from four games, victories over Sligo, Cavan, Tipperary and Roscommon ensuring that Longford took their place in the quarter-final.

They were not the most prolific in front of the opposition goals, but showed themselves to be extremely mean at the back having conceded a total of just 42 points in their four group games.

Armagh boss James Daly knows that his side face a challenge against a relatively unknown opponent, but he insists that his troops are ready.

“Longford are something of an unknown quantity to us. They played in the fourth division, winning it fairly handy. From what I’ve heard, they’re a very physical team, tough to dispossess when they’re on the ball. But we’re well fit to handle that.

The full story is in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published on Thursday August 30. Buy your copy now in your local newsagent, or you can purchase the online version – for only 90p – by clicking here