Tough opener as Armagh go to Cavan in Ulster Championship

Newcastle West won both the senior and minor football and Doon winning the Premier minor hurling title in a busy local GAA weekend

Last weeks draw has placed the Orange County in the tough side of the Provincial series considering that the winners of their first round tie will play either Tyrone or Derry in the semi-final.

Armagh in the past have always struggled to gain the upper hand against the Breffni men and the supporters would need no reminding of the fracas which took place between the players from both sides before the Championship opener back in 2014.

The National League games will provide an indication as to where McGeeney’s side are before they enter Championship mode. Despite winning last seasons Division 3 title the County struggled in many games including in ties against Tipperary and Fermanagh. The Division 2 League campaign looks particularly tough for Armagh who will travel to Navan to face Meath in the opener before hosting Laois at the Athletic Grounds, Fermanagh will make the trip to Armagh for the third game, before three crunch ties against Cavan away, Galway at home and on the final day the side travel to Healey Park to play Tyrone, their potential Ulster Championship semi-final opponents.

Few fans would disagree with the theory Armagh are currently at a crossroads in their development, McGeeney’s approach last season reaped very little reward and with Jamie Clarke likely to miss at least the League campaign the race to unearth new scoring talent is on.

Supporters could suggest that the lack of success at Minor and Under 21 level is having a knock-on effect on the senior sides aspirations. Over the past number of seasons the County have produced many similar type players very few of whom would have the guile or abilities of those who lined out during the glory days between 1999 and 2006.

Currently, apart from a selected few, it is difficult to pick out County players in club matches and most of the top flight sides could claim to have several players who would be capable of joining the County squad.

Ironically one of the best midfield performances this season was from Maghery’s James Lavery who had an outstanding game against Crossmaglen.

No doubt Armagh be touting for players like Jamar Hall and Robbie Tasker to be brought into the panel, but particularly up front the County may struggle to make a genuine impact in Division 2 this season.