For the first time since 2010, the All-Ireland football will not include one of Dublin, Kerry or Mayo, as Armagh take on Galway in Sunday’s showpiece in Croke Park.
It has been over 20 years since either county has won Sam Maguire, as both counties have come up with some memorable moments to reach Sunday’s final.
For Armagh, it is their first final since 2003, having won it in 2002. One of the heroes that day was Laois manager Justin McNulty.
Speaking ahead of the final, the former Armagh footballer is looking forward to the final has given the county a huge lift.
“There is a huge sense of euphoria in Armagh, the county has gone mad. There is an absolute frenzy for tickets, there is a real sense of excitement.
“I can’t understate how much of a lift the team has given to us fans. That is who I am first and foremost. I am an Armagh fan.
“The carnival sort of atmosphere in Armagh is phenomenal, it is probably something I have not seen since we were in the final.”
For Armagh, overcoming setbacks was crucial to this journey.
The last two seasons ended with penalty-shoot-out defeats to Galway and Monaghan, with lead to some people questioning the position of manager Kieran McGeeney.
Even this year, the Ulster final was another heartbreaking defeat decided by penalties. However, Armagh rallied, and shocked the country with victory over Kerry in the semi-final.
For McNulty, he was not surprised McGeeney was able to turn their fortunes around, as he told a story from when he lost a minor final with the county, and how McGeeney attempted to lift the spirits of the young players.
“I played at the same club [Mullaghbawn] as Geezer and we’re friends a very long time. I’m honoured to call him my friend.
“I can remember coming back to the Regency Hotel for the post-match banquet after the minors were defeated in 1992. I was in the Armagh squad and my twin brother was playing.
“We were back at the hotel after being defeated in a heart-breaking manner against Meath and a senior Armagh player came to speak to us minors after that match.
“We were waiting for the meal to be served and he called us into a room and that senior player was Kieran McGeeney.
“He called us together to say that he knew we were hurting and the pain is horrendous but let’s build on it. That was Kieran McGeeney and Damien Horisk, both senior county players at the time.
“For him to have done that as a senior inter-county footballer, coming and meeting minors and talking about the future, and building from that…
“The number of players who went from that minor team and won the All-Ireland [in 2002] was significant.
“He’s the ultimate competitor, the ultimate warrior. For him to have held that dressing room for 10 years despite the doubters, despite the negativity that was directed towards him from numerous quarters, it’s just extraordinary.
“The strength, the resilience, the mental toughness is reflected in the team and the squad he has built.
“Hopefully it will be good enough to get him over the line on Sunday, but there are no guarantees.”
Now on the right side of tough battles, the win against Kerry showed how far this talented Armagh side have come.
Following their Ulster final defeat to Donegal, Armagh responded with an impressive win over Derry, dug deep to draw against Galway to top their group before defeating Roscommon and Kerry.
McNulty credited the Armagh management team for proving doubters wrong, and praised the mental strength in the squad, which he believes could be an advantage on Sunday.
“I think that is a reflection on how mentally tough the management team are. These people are hardened competitiors, and that reflects in the team.
“The calibre and the character of the players has been demonstrated. Their resilience to keep going, this has almost been a 10-year road to success for Armagh.
“I know success hasn’t happened, but they have put themselves in the position to get there. I do think they can tap into that reservoir of pain and hurt, and the reservoir of confidence knowing they have come through tough, tough games.
“They are never dead, they are never out.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
