This is what it’s all about, the third Sunday of December.
Armagh have ended/started the season in spectacular fashion.
A 3-10 to 0-13 win over Tyrone has delivered the O’Fiaich Cup to the Orchard County and splashed a sea of cold water over all those who tried to criticise their 2016 campaign that brought with it three championship defeats.
But on a bright, balmy winter’s afternoon in Crossmaglen, Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh proved them all wrong.
Despite skipper Aidan Foker being sent off with over 15 minutes remaining with a second yellow card, the hosts held on to leave Tyrone ruing a total of 12 costly wides.
Two goals from Ethan Rafferty and one from Conor White helped Armagh on their way to what was a truly special day as the Red Hand county were sent to go licking their wounds after another devastating near-miss in the O’Fiaich Cup.
After a good summer, Tyrone couldn’t do it when it mattered.
The victory would have been particularly sweet for Armagh manager McGeeney who has had to listen to criticism about his tenure over his native county. Instead, he turned the tables and mounted all the pressure onto Mickey Harte who will have to answer why he could bring McKenna Cup, league and Ulster success to Tyrone but fail to deliver O’Fiaich glory to what must be a frustrated fan base.
Another 13-month inter-county season comes to a close (or it begins, unsure) and Armagh are once again the lynchpins.
Success in the pre-pre-season competition will give McGeeney a bit of breathing room and, who knows, if they can do it in the McKenna Cup and then the league and then the provincial and All-Ireland series, there might be redemption somewhere along the way.
And, most importantly, they’ll be ready for the O’Fiaich Cup.
What do you think of that, Joe Brolly?
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