Armagh SFC Final: Madden make history

Armagh SFC Final

Madden 0-20 Cullyhanna 0-9

By Steve Malone at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds

It will be night forever remembered in Madden as they won their first ever senior Armagh club title after an awesome display against the comeback kings Cullyhanna.

The mid-Armagh side took an early lead and they never went behind with an impressive display in the Box-IT Athletic Grounds. They say it was written in the stars as the club that has endured the darkest of days has made dreams come through.

Madden were in control at the break with a six-point lead and they weathered Cullyhanna’s expected comeback, but in truth, it was the mid-Armagh side that dominated the contest with their impressive defensive display denying the south Armagh side any kind of way back in.

Madden went two points to the good, through Aron McKenna and Conor Grimley (free) before Aidan Nugent’s two-point free on 10 minutes levelled the score.

Mark Harte’s men cleaned up the midfield, they slowed the game when needed and picked off points with impressive running off the shoulder.

Armagh’s Darragh McMullan stroked over a two-pointer and Madden stretched their lead with Ciaran Rafferty, Conor Grimley and Donal Rafferty on target. Nugent’s converted free stopped the rot briefly, but points from Niall Smith, Conor Grimley and Joe Sheridan put Madden in the driving seat as they led 0-10 to 0-4 at the break. - Cullyhanna 0-04 Madden 0-10

All-Star nominee Ross McQuillan kicked over after only 13 seconds into the restart, which normally would spark a comeback and while Gary Mackin, Shea Hoey and Nugent (free) tagged on scores, Madden had all the answers and finished the game on top with an assured last quarter.

Ciaran Rafferty, Oisin O’Hara, McMullan, Joe Sheridan and Conor Grimley kept the scoreboard ticking over as they put Cullyhanna in the review mirror. Conor Grimley finished with a stunning eight points, including a magnificent two-pointer with the last kick of the game, while the Championship’s top-scorer Aidan Nugent, with 3-46 was sent off in additional time after picking up a second yellow card.

It’s maidan championship win for Madden and the celebrations will be something else while Cullyhanna’s search for the Gerry Fegan Cup continues.

Madden: Jamie Sheridan, Shea Vallely, Tony O’Hagan, Peter Lappin, Oisin O’Hara (0-01), Donal Rafferty (0-01), Niall Smith (0-01), Dylan Crilly, Cathal Donnelly, Aron McKenna (0-02), Ciaran Rafferty (0-02), Darragh McMullen (0-03, 1tp), Joe Sheridan (0-02), Niall Grimley, Conor Grimley (0-08, 0-6f, 1tpf).

Subs: Patrick Smith for McKenna (54’).

Cullyhana: James Carragher, Sean Og Irwin, Phelim Savage, Cathal Burns, Sean Connell, Mickey Murray, Ross McQuillan (0-01), Caolan Reavey, Gavan Duffy, Jason Duffy, Shea Hoey (0-01), Gary Mackin (0-01), Aidan Nugent (0-04, 1tpf), Tony Donnelly, Kieran McCooey.

Subs: Donnacha Gribben for Mackin (55’), Neil McCreesh for Reavey (55’).

Referee: Neil McGeown (Sarsfields).