Armagh are All-Ireland champions for a reason- O’Rourke

THERE was once a time the when the buzz of expectant Tyrone supporters making their way up the hill to St Tiernach’s Park was one of the common sounds of a Championship summer, but that Red Hand shrill has fallen silent in recent years.

Indeed Tyrone’s last appearance at the famous old Clones venue was eight years ago, the 2017 Ulster Final, with sub Ronan O’Neill netting twice as the then holders accounted for Down to retain the Anglo-Celt trophy.

You have to reel the clock back even further for the last time that Armagh formed the opposition for Tyrone in an Ulster Championship match-up, that a first round contest at the Athletic Grounds in 2012, when the visitors took the spoils 0-19 to 1-13.

Factor in too the fact that the Orchard County last year annexed the All-Ireland title for only the second time in their history, and it’s little wonder that there is a giddy sense of excitement at what lies in store this Saturday night when they locks horns in the Ulster semi-final.

Both teams mounted their first round hurdles in fairly efficient if not sparkling fashion, Tyrone getting the better of Cavan, and Armagh heading into the modest surrounds of Corrigan Park to eventually quash the stubborn resistance of Antrim.

Tyrone were actually the last team to beat Armagh in 70 minutes of Championship football, that an All-Ireland group phase game played at Healy Park in June 2023. The hosts edged a dour encounter 0-13 to 0-11, Darren McCurry with five points, though the main talking point was the straight red card meted out to Armagh’s Rian O’Neill in the first half.

The most recent meeting was a more salutary experience for Tyrone, the All-Ireland champions flexing their attacking muscles on a windy night at the Athletic Grounds back in February in the League. Seven points separated the sides come the final whistle but at half-time Tyrone trailed by an alarming 1-14 to 0-3 deficit, Ethan Rafferty, Aidan Forker and Ross McQuillan punishing the Red Hands with a spate of two pointers.

Tyrone manager Malachy O’Rourke appreciates that there was a huge gulf in class between the sides on that occasion.

“ We played them in the second game in the league and to be fair in the first half they just ran through us. We had no answer to them. So we know what is in front of us and how difficult it is going to be.”

While satisfied with the workmanlike nature of Tyrone’s showing a fortnight ago against Cavan, O’Rourke understands that this Saturday night will be a massive step up for his charges.

“ It will be a good challenge for us and give us a better idea of where we stand. Armagh are All-Ireland champions at the end of the day and they are All-Ireland champions for a reason. They have been at the top table over this past number of years.

“ Their conditioning and football know-how and system of play is really well refined so it’s a massive challenge for us but that is the hand we are dealt.”