Nickey Rackard Cup

Armagh v Leitrim

Saturday, Athletic Grounds, 4pm

SO Armagh’s Nickey Rackard campaign rolls around once again when they meet Leitrim, and the question is, can they right the wrongs of the past five years?

It has been eight years since the Orchard county last won this competition. They did so way back in June 2012 when they beat Louth by 3-20 to 1-15.

That was their second title in three years and they secured the win in fine fashion, thanks partly to two goals from Declan Coulter and one from Conor Corvan.

The county were on a high and they appeared to have great potential. Indeed, four years later Armagh reached the Ulster final where they lost to Antrim.

Yet that great rise was followed by frustration in the Nickey Rackard Cup. Since 2015, Armagh have played in four finals and have lost them all. The two closest defeats came in 2015 when they were edged out by Roscommon by a point. Then last year they were beaten by Sligo, also by a point.

The Roscommon 2-12 to 1-14 defeat was heartbreaking as it came after Micheal Kelly scored a late goal. The Rossies had been reduced to 14 men as well. Gaelic Life columnist Cahal Carvill had scored one of Armagh’s goal that day.

Last year, it was a similar story. Sligo were four points down in the final stages of the game, but fought back to win.They were one point behind in the final minute and in the five minutes of additional time managed to earn victory.

Perhaps the lesson to learn from that result was that the Orchard gave away too many frees. Keith Raymond was ruthless for Sligo from placed balls.

For those from the Orchard county who want to find positives, they will look to the performance of Danny Magee who got two goals, and Eoin McGuinness who managed a few great points.

In more general terms, Armagh are a county who are consistent in this competition. They are one of the best sides as they are repeatedly able to get to the final.

The expectation is that after their recent defeats they have to make the next step this season.

Their form in Division 3A  this year was fantastic. They went unbeaten in five games. However, in the league final, up against rivals Donegal, they lost by 1-18 to 0-19. That Declan Coulter, a former Armagh player, top scored for Tir Chonaill with 0-10 (0-7 from frees) can only have added to their frustration.

So Donegal earned their promotion, and Armagh were left to work out what went wrong. They aren’t far away. Perhaps they have seasoned campaigners like Dean Gaffney and Nathan Curry, but the talent is most definitely there in the likes of Aaron Fox and Oisin Keenan. They play Division 3B beaten finalists Leitrim and have an excellent chance of winning.