HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINALSDIGITAL PROGRAMME

ARMAGHGAA.NET #ARMAGHCLUB20

SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2020ATHLETIC GROUNDS

JHC FINAL 12.45PMSHC FINAL 4.00PM

Junior Hurling Championship FinalThrow-in 12.45pm, Athletic GroundsKilleavy v Craobh Rua

12.15pm Killeavy team photo12.17pm  Craobh Rua team photo12.35pm Toss of coin12.45pm Throw-in1.17pm Halftime 

2.03pm* Final whistle (*approx) 122.05pm Presentation on the pitch

CLÁR ARMAGH

MATCH DAY PRESENTATIONSThe presentations will take place on the pitch.

Spectators are not permitted to enter the pitchenclosure at any time. Please respect this guidance for your safety and thesafety of players and volunteers.

Senior Hurling Championship FinalThrow-in 4.00pm, Athletic GroundsMiddletown na Fianna v Cuchulainns

3.30pm Middletown team photo3.32pm  Cuchulainns team photo3.20pm Toss of coin3.57pm National Anthem4.00pm Throw-in4.32pm Halftime 

5.18pm* Final whistle (*approx)

5.20pm Presentation on the pitch

ARMAGH

Máirtín McGann is a native of the St. James’Aldergrove club in Co. Antrim, and a foundermember of Dalcassians Hurling Club. As amature student at St Mary’s University College heplayed at Fitzgibbon 2010, and won the Division2 league, and Fergal Maher Cup that year.

He has been refereeing football and hurlingsince 1992. For several years, Máirtín has been amember of Ulster and National support panel forboth Hurling and Camogie. He has officiated atMcGurk Cup, & Fitzgibbon Cup, as well as UlsterSenior Hurling and Camogie club finals in 2018.

He has also taken charge of this year’s Armaghsenior Camogie final.

We wish Máirtín and his team a very successfulgame today.

THE MENIN THE

MIDDLE

Cuchulainns clubman Ronan Hart is well knownfor the excellent work he does as Groundsmanat the Athletic Grounds in Armagh. However hisGAA career has taken on many roles.

Ronan won an Ulster Minor footballChampionship in 1994, beating Down in theUlster final, before losing out to Kerry in the AllIreland Semi-Final. In the same year he won anUlster Colleges’ All Star Award, for cornerforward.

Ronan has been refereeing for 15 years, coveringboth football and hurling. His appointmentsof note include taking charge of the SHC Final in2019, as well as last year’s MHC final.

We wish Ronan and his team a very successfulgame today.

As Cathaoirleach of Armagh GAA, I would liketo welcome you all here this afternoon to theAthletic Grounds for the highlight of ourhurling season, the Cormac LeonardCommercials Junior and Senior hurling finals.

Today brings us two great games of hurlingwith defending champions Middletown NaFianna facing Cuchulainns who will fancytaking home the inaugural Jimmy CarlisleCup. Today's county champions will maketheir own piece of history to become the firstholders of the Jimmy Carlisle Cup and what afitting tribute to honour his legacy.

Our Junior final brings us a real SouthArmagh derby with Croabh Rua and Killeavygoing into battle for the title, this should be acracking game played in great spirit.

Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemicnumbers at today's county finals aresignificantly reduced, but as a county, thehealth and safety of our patrons is our numberone priority. I would ask all our spectators tofollow the safety guidance for post-matchpresentations and not enter the pitchenclosure.

As the club championship season draws to aclose, I want to take this opportunity to thankeveryone who has attended our games.

Your help, patience and co-operation hasbeen exemplary and without this, it wouldhave been impossible for our stewards to dotheir job in the way in which they did.

I want to thank our stewards; these volunteersare certainly the unsung heroes of ourassociation. The way they have workedthroughout this very difficult time has beensimply amazing.

Once again, I would like to thank CormacLeonard Commercials for the continuedsponsorship of our championship.

I want to thank all our sponsors and thosewho have supported our county over thepast year. Without you, it would beimpossible to run our games the way inwhich we do.

Both our hurling finals are brought to you byLinwoods Armagh TV for those at home andabroad. What a job they have done this year.With people unable to attend due to thepandemic, these volunteers are a credit toour association.

I want to thank our CCC for all their workduring this very difficult year. When thisseason began, no one knew where we wouldfinish, but thankfully we made it here to theconclusion of our club championship countyfinals.

I want to thank our groundsman Ronan andhis assistants Noel and Liam for themarvelous work that they do in having ourpitch in great condition.

I would just like to finish off by wishing ourreferees, officials and our competing teams,an enjoyable day. Let’s hope we have anothergreat hurling spectacle here in ourmagnificent stadium. I wish everyone anenjoyable afternoon and wherever you arewatching, enjoy the game and stay safe.

Michéal Ó SabhaoisCathaoirleachCoiste Contae Ard Mhacha

A WORDFROM THE

CHAIRMAN

ARMAGH

The winners of this years County SeniorHurling Championship will create apiece of history as they will become thefirst holders of the new Corn JimmyCarlisle.

Jimmy passed away in May this year buthas left behind a legacy in hurling circlesthroughout the entire country.

Jimmy was chair of the Armagh HurlingBoard for many years and also chaired theUlster Hurling Committee. He sat on theNational Hurling Committee and wasalways held in high esteem by his peers.

ARMAGHTHEJIMMY

CARLISLECUP

Jimmy began his career playing for ChristianBrothers Past Pupils before the formation ofCuchulainns who he not only went on to playfor but also was chairman for a number ofyears. He represented Armagh and Ulsterhurlers along with playing football for ArmaghHarps.

Jimmy coached many hurlers from all clubsthroughout the county from U16 to Senior ashe was not only a respected player but washeld in equal esteem as a coach at club andcounty level.

The naming of this cup in his memory is afitting honour to a man who gave so much toArmagh hurling.

Armagh County Chairman Michael Savage and Joe Carlisle (son of the late Jimmy Carlisle)pictured with the inaugural Jimmy Carlisle County Senior Hurling Championship Cup.

Today’s Senior County Champions will createa bit of history, as they will be the first to winthe Jimmy Carlisle Memorial trophy. Thetrophy is named after an Armagh hurlinglegend who passed to his eternal rewardearlier this year.

It’s fitting that his own club, Cumann CúChulainn, Ard Mhacha will compete intoday’s county decider, but his advice andcounsel would have benefitted all clubsrepresented here today. Ar dheis Dé go raibha anam uasal.

The men from Na Fianna have already seenoff Keady and Derrynoose on their run totoday’s final. Middletown came through astop-start quarter final against Keady withDean Gaffney’s accuracy from frees ensuringtheir passage through to a semi-final match-

up against near-neighbours, Derrynoose.

And while Middletown had a big win in thetie played at Crossmaglen, there looked tobe an upset on the cards at one stage.

Indeed, early in the second half, Derrynooseled by 6, but an outstanding performancefrom Marty Moan in particular and 2-2 fromRyan Gaffney epitomised Middletown’stremendous resilience and composure tocomplete a 16 point turnaround in the final20 minutes of the game.

Cúchulainn’s meanwhile had a comfortable14 point win over Lurgan’s Sean Treacys 2-20to 2-6, earning their place in today’s countyshowpiece. The Armagh side also finished offtheir league campaign with a couple of winsunder their belts, albeit against Sean Treacysand Naomh Moininne.

As for today’s final, the corresponding fixturein the league last month finished 1-15 apiece,

but given Middletown have gained somemomentum since and given their superbsecond half performance in the semi-final,it’s hard to look past them for anothercounty title today.

The Junior decider will be a battle of attritionbetween two south Armagh sides and nearneighbours, Killeavy and Craobh Rua.

Killeavy ran out seven point winners againstCúchulainn’s second side, grabbing a goal ineither half and will again look to AdamMatthews and Niall Strain to repeat that feattoday.

Craobh Rua had a convincing win overMiddletown seconds with 11 points to spare,

with Tiarnán O’Hare racking up animpressive tally of 0-13, nine of which werefrom frees. Craobh Rua also come intotoday’s game after a good run in the league,

including a 2-18 to 0-12 win over today’sopponents. However, league andchampionship are quite different prospectsand today’s final should be a much tightercontest, with either side capable of lifting thetrophy.

Good luck to all four teams and to all of theofficials today and let’s hope for a feast ofhurling befitting Armagh county final day.

Junior & Senior CountyHurling deciders  

PREVIEWARMAGH

Manager'smessage

Chairman'smessageI wish all teams competing today the best ofluck in their respective County Finals. Selfishlythough it is my fervent hope that Cuchulainnsare victorious in the Senior decider.

The Executive and Committee wish John, hismanagement team and players best wishestoday, confident that if they give of their bestthey will not be far away.

Sincere thanks to all our club sponsorsespecially our new Senior Sponsors, BernieRafferty and Rock Financial Services. Theirfinancial contribution and that of all oursponsors is outstanding and extremelywelcome given these uncertain times.

It is fitting in the year of his passing that today'sSenior Hurling Championship Winners will bepresented with the Jimmy Carlisle Trophy, afitting tribute given his contribution to Armaghand Ulster Hurling from the early 50s. As aplayer, mentor, manager, chairman andvolunteer he had few equals.

We remember all our Former Players,Mentors ,Managers and Chairmen who haveleft us this year especially Gerard Devlin whorepresented Cuchulainn's, Armagh and Ulsterwith distinction over three decades and whoepitomised all that is great about this Club. Hewill be sadly missed.

I urge our Senior Team to embracethis day and the opportunities it may afford.

Jim Kirk, Cathaoirleach

Normally County Final Day is the most importantday of the year. Given the difficult circumstancesfaced by clubs and parishes throughout thecountry this year, sport has strangely taken a backseat in 2020. 

For a long time it looked like this season would bewiped out by Covid 19 but thankfully we have fourclubs lining out for today's county finals in twolocal derbies.

Best of luck to all clubs and their supporters,players, backroom teams and match officials.

John Toner, Manager

It is an honour and a privilege to captainthis Cù Chulainn hurling team in this, our75th year.

2020 has been a challenging year foreveryone in society, but GAA and hurlinghave been our sanctuary. This group ofplayers have met those challenges inorder to be here today. We look forwardto the contest that awaits us in today’sgame.

A word from the Captain

I would like to thank our new clubsponsor Bernie Rafferty forsupporting us during what is anuncertain financial time for manybusinesses. A true Gael and a friend ofCú Chulainn hurling club.

Finally I would like to acknowledgeour opponents Middletown NaFianna. We look forward to a toughsporting encounter.

Connor DevlinCú Chulainn hurling club

AdamMurtagh

CaolanMcReynolds

StefanMcParland

CÚ CHULAINN

1

Caolan Rice

432

5 6 7

8 9

10 11 12

13 14 15

CiaranClifford

TomMarley

EoghanGribbin

ConorCartmill

TonyDuffy

CormacToner

ConnorDevlin (c)

KevinMuldoon

ConlethLavery

NeilDuffy

JordanMurtagh

BAINISTEOIR: JOHN TONERCAPTAEN:  CONNOR DEVLIN

Substitutes:16. Paddy Heaney17. Shane O’Hagan18. Fionntán Oliver19. Rory Devlin20. Ciaran Duffy21. Tommy Turley22. Lorcán Coulter23. Ronan Davidson24. Oisín Richards25. Dermot Hicks26. William Wong27. Tiarnan Fagan28. John Donnelly29. David Ryan30. Sean Clifford

FintanWoods

COLLIDH CHANANNÁINBAINISTEOIR: CONNOR MC CANN, SYLVESTER MC CONNELL & BARNEY MC CANNCAPTAEN: MARTIN MOAN

LiamWoods

OdhranCurry

SheaGaffney

2 3 4

1

5 6 7

8 9

10 11 12

13 14 15

PadraigLappin

NathanCurry

PauricHughes

PaddyMc Bride

Kieran Mc Kernan

DavidCarvill

DeanGaffney

Mark Mc Clatchey

MartinMoan (c)

RyanGaffney

TiarnanNevin

Substitutes:16. Padraig Mc Guigan17. Cahal Carvill18. Shaun Toal19. Sean Og Mc Guinness20. Paul Gaffney21. Pedar Mc Bride22. Nathan Hunt23. Matta Carvill24. Padraig Mallon25. Darragh Harnett26. Conor Gormley27. James Mc Kernan28. Pauric Curry29. Brian Mallon30. Colm Moran

It is a great honour for me to captain this greatteam in today’s county final. Hurling hasprovided a welcomed distraction in recentmonths for all us in Middletown during whathas been a challenging year in general.

I would like to thank our main sponsor DMGTyres and all our supporters for their continuedsupport. On behalf of the team, I would like tothank our dedicated management team ofConzo, Rocky, Barney and physio Laura for theirhard work and commitment to the team.

A word from the CaptainIt has been an extremely competitivechampionship so far with 5 teams nowinvolved and we relish the challenge thatCuchulainns will bring us today. Hopefully,

our hard work pays off and we will bring thecup back to Middletown this evening.

Martin Moan, CaptainNa Fianna

To get to a senior championship final isalways a great achievement for any teamand club. With the circumstances thateveryone has faced and seeing what thelads have put into this campaign in such ashort time this year, it makes this onespecial.

Rocky, Barney and I know the players willgive everything for the black and whitejersey when they enter the field and wecan ask no more than that as we aim towin another county title.

On behalf of the management team Iwould like to thank all the players, ourphysio Laura for keeping the lads in suchgreat shape, our supporters, and sponsorDMG tyres for the continued support.We know this will be a very keenlycontested game with Cuchulainnsand hope that the game will live up toexpectations and may the best team win.

Connor Mc Cann, Manager

Manager'smessage

Chairman'smessageAs chairperson of Middletown GAA, weare delighted to be back in anothercounty senior hurling final.

Our management team of Connor,Sylvester and Barney along with this verytalented bunch of lads have worked veryhard year to reach todays county finaland everybody in the club wishes themwell as they aim to claim the inauguralJimmy Carlisle cup.

I would like to thank our hardworkinghurling secretary Rory and ourcommittee especially our Covid officerKate for their work in what has beenanything but a normal year for everyone.

Finally, Middletown Na Fianna andCuchulainns have had many epic battleson the hurling field down through theyears and we hope that today’s matchwill be no different and lives up to ourexpectations.

Is mise le meas.Damien Mc Guinness, Cathaoirleach

Is mór an onóir dom bheith i mo Chaptaen arfhoireann Craobh Rua inniu agus muid agiarraidh Craobh Shóisearach iomána a bhaint.

The very fact that we have a County Hurling finalis a great tribute to the Association within ourCounty and we thank those at all levels, forhelping to make this possible.

We also express our gratitude to those healthcare and frontline workers who have lookedafter and served our communities.

A word from the CaptainThis Panel of Craobh Rua players havegiven great commitment to our Club thisseason and we deservedly take our place inthis final against our opponents Killeavy, whoalso are worthy finalists.

This Final is important to our Club, our playersour members and our community. Ourefforts today is for them and for our deceasedmembers and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh an-anam

Miceál O ‘Deorain, Captain

Míle buíochas do na hiománaithe uiligatá ar mo phainéal.

Managing this Craobh Rua team has beenhugely rewarding for myself and myassistant manager Damien Britton, andbackroom team of Daryll Gallogly and JoeMcEldowney. This panel of hurlers havegiven us great commitment and respect.That is a credit to them, their families andtheir hurling coaches at this Club whohave developed most of them throughthe various age groups.

I want to say Míle buíochas to an CoisteCraobh Rua Camlocha, our coaches,players, members, sponsors andsupporters. A special word of mention toour Covid Officers and those others whoquietly worked behind the scene to helpprepare us for this day.

We hope today’s match is a creditto the skills and commitment of bothfinalists.

Pól Cuinneagáin, Manager

Manager'smessage

Chairman'smessageI mbliain seo na paindéime airíonn muiduainn ár gcairde uilig idir bheo agusmharbh.

The last few months have been difficultparticularly for those who have lostfriends or family members. This year oursenior team has inspired us and I wishthem and their mentors the best of luckin today’s Armagh Junior Final.

I would also like to thank Cathal Austinand all at The Quays, Newry for theircontinued sponsorship which has beenvery important to us over the years. I look forward to a competitive andsporting final.

Ar aghaidh le chéile

Labhrás Ó Brolcháin, CathaoirleachCraobh Rua Camlocha

Ryan Lundy

ConorDevlin

BryanMcKevitt

ÓisinFearon

CRAOBH RUA

1

432

5 6 7

8 9

10 11 12

13 14 15

MichealGarvey

Óisin O’ Hare

MicealDoran (c)

Tiarnan O’ Hare

ConorMcKevitt

SeanWatters

StephenO’Keefe

PatrickGarvey

RyanLewis

FiachraBradley

RonanCasey

BAINISTEOIR: PÓL Ó CUINNEGANCAPTAEN: PADRAIG GAIRBHEITH

Substitutes:16. Caolan Rowntree17. Jay O’Hare 18. Fionn O Callaghan 19. Aodhán Nutley20. Fionn McCann21. Cillian Murray22. J J Fallon23. Declan Harris24. Nathan O’Shea 25. Tom Trainor26. Ryan Diamond27. Callum Campbell28. Óisin Cooney 29. Ryan Shortt30. Micheál Bradley31. Dara Cunningham 32. Feargal Cooney33. Cormac Feeley34. Ronan Reavey35. Fionnan Burns

ShaneQuinn

AdamO’Neill

PeterSmith

MorganThomas

CILL SLÉIBHE

1

432

5 6 7

8 9

10 11 12

13 14 15

ConnorHannaway

BarraMcAteer

FergalConnolly

JosephO’Connor

JosephGrant

MatthewMcEvoy

EoinMcParland

SeamusStrain

LiamMcNally

DavidGrant (c)

Niall Strain

BAINISTEOIR: NIALL Ó THRÉINIRCAPTAEN: DAVID GRANT

Substitutes:16. Patrick Connor17. Thomas Cassidy18. Shea Gregory19. Adam Matthews20. Stephen Keenan21. Conor McNally22. Shane Keenan23. Padraig McParland24. Calum Quinn25. Fearghal Murphy26. Aaron O’Neill27. Cathal Doherty28. Finlay Brady29. Conor King30. Tiernan Breslin31. Tomás McCrink32. Niall O’Neill33. Jack Breen34. Miceal Rice35. Stephen McMullan

It is with great honour to be captaining our clubin the Junior championship final today and a hugeprivilege to lead this group of players who haveshown great amounts of determination anddedication throughout this championshipcampaign.

This year has been a year of uncertainty and to beable to participate in a county final provides abeacon of hope for all players, management andwider community. The Armagh county boardtherefore deserve huge credit in the planning andorganisation of all games across all codesthroughout this difficult time.

As a team we are extremely proud to reach thecounty final and this reflects successfully on thework being completed by all our underage hurlingvolunteers.

A word from the Captain A huge thank you to our manager Niall and histeam, who without their guidance we wouldbe unlikely to be in this position today. I wouldalso like to extend my gratitude to all ourprevious senior manager’s as although we hadlittle success in the past, they have helped topave the way for the future.

I would also like to thank our main sponsor MaBakers and the club committee for theircontinued support this year.

Finally, I would like to congratulate Craobh Ruaon reaching the county final and wish them allthe best in what hopes to be a great day forSouth Armagh hurling.

David Grant, Captain

It’s been a privilege to manage thisKilleavy team, as a former player I wouldhave loved to have played alongsidethese lads, their commitment passion andskills are second to none.

Today’s final is a real local derby with bothteams knowing each other so wellthroughout the years and hopefully it willbe a great advertisement for future hurlersof both parishes.

It’s been a tough year for everyone in everyaspect of life but hopefully these lads candeliver come Sunday and lift our collectivespirits.

Niall Trainor, Manager

Manager'smessage

Chairman'smessageKilleavy GAC is proud to field across allcodes and while we have had somegood days this year in football andcamogie, it is great to see the flags andposters around the club to mark theachievement of our senior hurlers inreaching the Junior County final.

It has been a difficult year as we dealwith the threat of coronavirus and Iwould thank the County Board forensuring that we have been able tomake the best out of a disjointedseason.

Our neighbours from Craobh Rua join usin the final and I'm sure the little localrivalry will help to create an enthrallingcontest. I wish every success formanager Niall Trainor and his teamand I hope we are all able to celebratetonight at an appropriate social distance.

Michael O' Neill, Cathaoirleach

With restrictions on the number of spectatorsat our games, never before has live streamingbeen so important.

Covering over 20 live matches to thousands ofviewers across the world and at home, Armagh TVhas travelled to various venues to showcase clubleague and championship games over the pastnumber of months.

Armagh TV volunteers have engaged viewersduring a compacted championship knock-outseason bringing all the thrills and spills along theway - with extra-time and even penalties.

This weekend viewers can tune into the Juniorand Intermediate county football finals bringingyou live action, pre-match interviews from thecaptains and post-match interviews.

Armagh TV boasts a whole range of voluntarypersonnel who deliver and promote our gamesand we simply could not provide this servicewithout their continuous efforts.

Armagh GAA Chairman Mickey Savage said,

"There is no doubt we are extremely privileged tohave Armagh TV and the volunteers who providethis service for our gaels.

"As the first county in Ireland to break ground onsteaming games the team have continued to gofrom strength to strength over the years.

"I want to pay a massive thanks to ourhardworking volunteers for the fantastic servicethey have provided, I know a lot of planning, timeand effort goes into streaming our games and it'sa service that has never been as important untilnow during these uncertain times."

Keepingyouconnected

In order to assist our staff and stewards,and to help protect you and your fellowspectators, you are kindly requested tofollow these guidelines.

All all times and in all parts of the ground,

please observe social distancing and avoidclose contact with others not in your socialbubble.

Arrive in good time to go through all thenecessary entry procedures.

Make sure in advance you know whereyour entry point is, and, if an entry time isspecified on your ticket, be there on time.

If you need to access any of the groundsamenities, such as toilets, food or drinkoutlets, or concessions, check to see if anyof them are not in use and planaccordingly.

Remain in your seat or place at all timeswherever possible.

If you need to leave your viewing position,

wait for a time the gangway is clear andalways follow the signs indicating whichway to go.

Spectator safety guidelinesIf you are seated when moving past otherspectators, to and from your seat, pleaseavoid face to face contact with otherspectators.

If you are standing, please stay within yoursocial bubble and remain aware of themovements of others at all times.

Maintain good hand hygiene - use thesanitiser dispensers provided and avoidtouching your face, or handles, railings etc.

where possible.

Please observe respiratory etiquette - alwayscover your mouth when needing to coughor sneeze.

Avoid hugs, high-fives, and any closecontact with people who are not withinyour social bubble.

If you are attending with other members ofyour social bubble, please make sure theyhave read and understand these guidelinestoo.

Thank you for your support and co-

operation. Stay Alert. Stay Safe.

Help us all, your fellow fans, your club, yoursport, your community.

ARMAGH

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