Would love it if we flipped the whole narrative on it’s head this year by beating Derry if both teams get to Ulster Final.
For all the hype around them we gifted them a goal and missed and handy free near the last and still were only beat on penalties.
Couldn't agree more.
I don't understand what is it with the media - especially in the South who have this 'Pro-Derry' agenda.
Armagh or Tyrone, when they were the two best teams in the country never got any such affection.
That final last year was a tough one to take.
Rory called a mark he shouldn't have but that's easy to say as a spectator. I think an easier score was on had he not called it.
But the Derry free in the second period of ET to draw them level was beyond a disgrace.
James Morgan followed McGuigan out the field - McGuigan receives the ball about 65m out. Rian comes in to assist Morgan in their efforts to win the ball back. Did McGuigan appear to be fouled? Very debatable. But a free from there wasn't going to hurt as no shot was on.
McGuigan bites O'Neill on the chest. When O'Neill tries to explain to the ref, he is penalised for remonstrating and the ref moves the free forward. McGuigan sails the free over from 45m.
What was most frustrating that day was we played Derry at their own game and still should have beat them. Derry were shrewd with their time-wasting when Armagh were a man up in ET after Rodgers' black card.
On a side note - that rule of not being able to replace a man on a black card but being able to replace a man on a red card in ET made no sense whatsoever. But due to the caliber of player - Derry will not have been to hurt as they could reintroduce Rodgers rather than having to replace him with a lesser footballer had he saw red.
O'Neill and Brendan Rodgers stood out that day.
I have no doubt - if we have a few key men back in the fold come the Ulster Final (provided both teams make it) Armagh are well capable of beating Derry.
I wanted them in the QF in 2022 rather than Galway. I was optimistic last year we would take them in an Ulster final. And I have every reason to be as optimistic this year with a full compliment of players.
Would certainly tear up the script the 'Derry-friendly' media have been writing over the past 2 years.