Cullyhanna manager Stephen Reel expects Sunday’s Armagh senior football championship final showdown against Madden Raparees to be a completely different encounter to the teams’ first round meeting in the competition.

Sean Óg Irwin’s second-half goal was crucial that day as Cullyhanna secured a 1-13 to 0-15 win in the teams’ Gerry Fagan Cup opener.

Speaking to BelfastLive.co.uk this week in the build-up to the county final, Reel reckons that game won’t have much bearing on this weekend’s decider as both teams had been understrength in the first round.

“Obviously, we played them in the first round of the championship. I don't think (Darragh) McMullen played that night, but you know their strengths and weaknesses. Yeah, it's hard to tell," he stated

“It was the first championship game and maybe a lot of teams weren't at it. It's a long time ago in the grand scheme of seasons to be honest. We opened the championship that night and we're going to close it in the final.

“But look, a lot of stuff has happened since then. Players in and players out.

“I don't think Jason Duffy or Caolan Reavey were playing that day against Madden. I think they might be missing a couple of others too.

"We know each other, but we wouldn't read too much into that game. The county final will be a completely different match.”

Tweet

Most Read Stories