McGeeney savours Armagh's glory day in Ulster

Given the crushing manner of their three previous Ulster final defeats, it was never going to be straightforward for Armagh to get their hands on the Anglo-Celt Cup for the first time since 2008.

As the swathes of orange-bedecked supporters from the Orchard County made their way up the hill to St Tiernach's Park, there was a mood of optimism but trepidation.

In 2023 and 2024, their dreams were dashed on penalties, while last year it was a one-point defeat in extra-time.

There was just a sense that if this was to be their year, they would have to come through another white knuckle ride and so it proved.

Seven points up with 15 minutes to play, it was looking good but this Ulster Championship was true to form, producing drama to the last as Monaghan fought back and asked the questions Armagh were probably expecting.

This time, they had the answers, retaining a cool head in a hot kitchen as they dusted themselves down and attacked extra time with belief.

"We made hard work of it and credit has to go to Monaghan for coming back," said Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney, who adds another provincial medal to his collection from his playing days.

"We were eight points up and just seemed to let it slip away but in extra time they showed their class.

"We've been pushing for quite a while and it's a great day for them and Armagh, but back to porridge tomorrow.

"I was lucky enough to have a lot of good days in the Ulster Championship but for those boys, it means a lot."

With 70 minutes of an epic encounter gone, Armagh had to lift themselves for another 20 to get over the line.

Naturally, they would have preferred to have it done and dusted in normal time, but it wasn't to be and there was no major task to lift the players once again.

"I just said 'we've been here before'," McGeeney said of his rallying call.

"This is not new to them so they know the difference between those 10 minutes [first half of extra time] and the first 10 minutes of a game and it's importance, the coolness and composure.

"At eight points up [in normal time] they maybe thought they had it, but Monaghan has that habit in the last 20 minutes [to come back].

"It was squeaky bum time for the last five minutes and both teams have composure, but in extra time the boys did well."

Given how this year's Ulster Championship played out, beginning with Armagh coming through in extra time against Tyrone and Monaghan's Lazarus-like recovery in the semi-final against Derry, it was always going to take a huge effort to decide the destination of the title.

Armagh just had that little bit more to get it done this time and perhaps it was those ghosts of Ulster finals past which ultimately served them well on this occasion.

"Those fellas have played in four [Ulster] finals and one point separated them in the three," McGeeney noted.

"They've shown their quality, but Ulster has a lot of quality and you have to be at your best. It comes down to the small margins of frees or penalty kicks.

"Today they are on the right side of it and they went out in extra time not wanting to let it slip, so they deserve huge credit for that."

As St Tiernach's Park emptied to reveal a slew of disbanded ponchos due to the heavy rain which hijacked the afternoon, the elements failed to dampen the delight of Armagh's players, management and fans.

They have endured some tough days at the venue, but perhaps that made this victory all the sweeter, savouring every moment before one last downpour seemed to signal it was time to move the party elsewhere.

And they will enjoy this win for now, but there is more to do this year as Derry lie in wait for an All-Ireland SFC opener at the Athletic Grounds in two weeks' time.

"They know they are back at the starting line tomorrow morning," McGeeney added.

"Derry's back training, waiting in the wings as are everybody.

"The fellas are going to have a good night so I can't give you a monster story I'll have them out training.

"We'll have a few drinks and celebrate but then Derry will be out training today."