Armagh Ends 18-Year Ulster Title Drought
Armagh captain Aidan Forker expressed satisfaction as his team secured an Ulster Championship title for the first time in 18 years, defeating Monaghan 2-28 to 0-25 after extra time.
In their fourth consecutive Ulster final appearance, having lost the previous three, Kieran McGeeney's squad once led by seven points in the second half at Clones and appeared poised for victory. However, Monaghan rallied to force extra time.
Oisin O'Neill's goal early in extra time was pivotal, enabling Armagh to claim their 15th Ulster title and first since 2008. Forker emphasized the importance of savoring this achievement following recent disappointments in the competition.
"It's something I've seen in my head for a long time [lifting the Anglo Celt-Cup]. Obviously the last number of years have been tough, but just delighted for the group and the boys who just stuck at it," he told NI.
"So happy for the management team too, we've had some tough days in Ulster. The first six or seven years of my career in Armagh were defeats, four finals in a row, I think we were due one."
Experience and Fitness Key to Victory
Forker attributed Armagh's success to lessons learned from previous final losses and the fitness regimen leading up to the Clones match, which helped the team endure and capitalize in extra time.
"We've been here before. We were there with Tyrone in the first round [a one-point extra-time victory in April] and we know the work we've done in terms of training and it won out in terms of our legs at the end, we started well in extra time and took our simple scores," he added.
"Delighted it all came together. We were deserved winners in the end."
