CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS DIGITAL PROGRAMME

SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2020 JHC FINAL 12.45PM SHC FINAL 4.00PM

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Junior Hurling Championship Final Throw-in 12.45pm, Athletic Grounds Killeavy v Craobh Rua

12.15pm Killeavy team photo 12.17pm Craobh Rua team photo 12.35pm Toss of coin 12.45pm Throw-in 1.17pm Halftime 2.03pm* Final whistle (*approx) 12 2.05pm Presentation on the pitch

Senior Hurling Championship Final Throw-in 4.00pm, Athletic Grounds Middletown na Fianna v Cuchulainns 3.30pm Middletown team photo 3.32pm Cuchulainns team photo 3.20pm Toss of coin 3.57pm National Anthem 4.00pm Throw-in 4.32pm Halftime 5.18pm* Final whistle (*approx) 5.20pm Presentation on the pitch

MATCH DAY PRESENTATIONS The presentations will take place on the pitch. Spectators are not permitted to enter the pitch enclosure at any time. Please respect this guidance for your safety and the safety of players and volunteers. THE MEN ARMAGH IN THE MIDDLE

Máirtín McGann is a native of the St. James’ Aldergrove club in Co. Antrim, and a founder member of Dalcassians Hurling Club. As a mature student at St Mary’s University College he played at Fitzgibbon 2010, and won the Division 2 league, and that year.

He has been refereeing football and hurling since 1992. For several years, Máirtín has been a member of and National support panel for both Hurling and . He has officiated at McGurk Cup, & Fitzgibbon Cup, as well as Ulster Senior Hurling and Camogie club finals in 2018. He has also taken charge of this year’s Armagh senior Camogie final.

We wish Máirtín and his team a very successful game today.

Cuchulainns clubman Ronan Hart is well known for the excellent work he does as Groundsman at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh. However his GAA career has taken on many roles.

Ronan won an Ulster Minor football Championship in 1994, beating Down in the Ulster final, before losing out to Kerry in the All Semi-Final. In the same year he won an Ulster Colleges’ All Star Award, for corner forward.

Ronan has been refereeing for 15 years, covering both football and hurling. His appointments of note include taking charge of the SHC Final in 2019, as well as last year’s MHC final.

We wish Ronan and his team a very successful game today. A WORD ARMAGH FROM THE CHAIRMAN

As Cathaoirleach of Armagh GAA, I would like Once again, I would like to thank Cormac to welcome you all here this afternoon to the Leonard Commercials for the continued Athletic Grounds for the highlight of our sponsorship of our championship. hurling season, the Cormac Leonard Commercials Junior and Senior hurling finals. I want to thank all our sponsors and those who have supported our over the Today brings us two great games of hurling past year. Without you, it would be with defending champions Middletown Na impossible to run our games the way in Fianna facing Cuchulainns who will fancy which we do. taking home the inaugural Jimmy Carlisle Cup. Today's county champions will make Both our hurling finals are brought to you by their own piece of history to become the first Linwoods Armagh TV for those at home and holders of the Jimmy Carlisle Cup and what a abroad. What a job they have done this year. fitting tribute to honour his legacy. With people unable to attend due to the pandemic, these volunteers are a credit to Our Junior final brings us a real South our association. Armagh derby with Croabh Rua and Killeavy going into battle for the title, this should be a I want to thank our CCC for all their work cracking game played in great spirit. during this very difficult year. When this season began, no one knew where we would Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic finish, but thankfully we made it here to the numbers at today's county finals are conclusion of our club championship county significantly reduced, but as a county, the finals. health and safety of our patrons is our number one priority. I would ask all our spectators to I want to thank our groundsman Ronan and follow the safety guidance for post-match his assistants Noel and Liam for the presentations and not enter the pitch marvelous work that they do in having our enclosure. pitch in great condition.

As the club championship season draws to a I would just like to finish off by wishing our close, I want to take this opportunity to thank referees, officials and our competing teams, everyone who has attended our games. an enjoyable day. Let’s hope we have another great hurling spectacle here in our Your help, patience and co-operation has magnificent stadium. I wish everyone an been exemplary and without this, it would enjoyable afternoon and wherever you are have been impossible for our stewards to do watching, enjoy the game and stay safe. their job in the way in which they did. Michéal Ó Sabhaois I want to thank our stewards; these volunteers Cathaoirleach are certainly the unsung heroes of our Coiste Contae Ard Mhacha association. The way they have worked throughout this very difficult time has been simply amazing. THE ARMAGH JIMMY CARLISLE CUP

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.

The winners of this years County Senior Jimmy began his career playing for Christian Hurling Championship will create a Brothers Past Pupils before the formation of piece of history as they will become the Cuchulainns who he not only went on to play first holders of the new Corn Jimmy for but also was chairman for a number of Carlisle. years. He represented Armagh and Ulster hurlers along with playing football for Armagh Jimmy passed away in May this year but Harps. has left behind a legacy in hurling circles throughout the entire country. Jimmy coached many hurlers from all clubs throughout the county from U16 to Senior as Jimmy was chair of the Armagh Hurling he was not only a respected player but was Board for many years and also chaired the held in equal esteem as a coach at club and Ulster Hurling Committee. He sat on the county level. National Hurling Committee and was always held in high esteem by his peers. The naming of this cup in his memory is a fitting honour to a man who gave so much to Armagh hurling. ARMAGH PREVIEW

Junior & Senior County Hurling deciders

Today’s Senior County Champions will create As for today’s final, the corresponding fixture a bit of history, as they will be the first to win in the league last month finished 1-15 apiece, the Jimmy Carlisle Memorial trophy. The but given Middletown have gained some trophy is named after an Armagh hurling momentum since and given their superb legend who passed to his eternal reward second half performance in the semi-final, earlier this year. it’s hard to look past them for another county title today. It’s fitting that his own club, Cumann Cú Chulainn, Ard Mhacha will compete in The Junior decider will be a battle of attrition today’s county decider, but his advice and between two south Armagh sides and near counsel would have benefitted all clubs neighbours, Killeavy and Craobh Rua. represented here today. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal. Killeavy ran out seven point winners against Cúchulainn’s second side, grabbing a goal in The men from Na Fianna have already seen either half and will again look to Adam off Keady and Derrynoose on their run to Matthews and Niall Strain to repeat that feat today’s final. Middletown came through a today. stop-start quarter final against Keady with Dean Gaffney’s accuracy from frees ensuring Craobh Rua had a convincing win over their passage through to a semi-final match- Middletown seconds with 11 points to spare, up against near-neighbours, Derrynoose. with Tiarnán O’Hare racking up an impressive tally of 0-13, nine of which were And while Middletown had a big win in the from frees. Craobh Rua also come into tie played at , there looked to today’s game after a good run in the league, be an upset on the cards at one stage. including a 2-18 to 0-12 win over today’s Indeed, early in the second half, Derrynoose opponents. However, league and led by 6, but an outstanding performance championship are quite different prospects from Marty Moan in particular and 2-2 from and today’s final should be a much tighter Ryan Gaffney epitomised Middletown’s contest, with either side capable of lifting the tremendous resilience and composure to trophy. complete a 16 point turnaround in the final 20 minutes of the game. Good luck to all four teams and to all of the officials today and let’s hope for a feast of Cúchulainn’s meanwhile had a comfortable hurling befitting Armagh county final day. 14 point win over Lurgan’s Sean Treacys 2-20 to 2-6, earning their place in today’s county showpiece. The Armagh side also finished off their league campaign with a couple of wins under their belts, albeit against Sean Treacys and Naomh Moininne. Chairman's message

I wish all teams competing today the best of luck in their respective County Finals. Selfishly though it is my fervent hope that Cuchulainns are victorious in the Senior decider.

The Executive and Committee wish John, his management team and players best wishes today, confident that if they give of their best they will not be far away.

Sincere thanks to all our club sponsors especially our new Senior Sponsors, Bernie Rafferty and Rock Financial Services. Their financial contribution and that of all our sponsors is outstanding and extremely welcome given these uncertain times. Manager's It is fitting in the year of his passing that today's Senior Hurling Championship Winners will be message presented with the Jimmy Carlisle Trophy, a fitting tribute given his contribution to Armagh Normally County Final Day is the most important and Ulster Hurling from the early 50s. As a day of the year. Given the difficult circumstances player, mentor, manager, chairman and faced by clubs and parishes throughout the volunteer he had few equals. country this year, sport has strangely taken a back seat in 2020. We remember all our Former Players, Mentors ,Managers and Chairmen who have For a long time it looked like this season would be left us this year especially Gerard who wiped out by Covid 19 but thankfully we have four represented Cuchulainn's, Armagh and Ulster clubs lining out for today's county finals in two with distinction over three decades and who local derbies. epitomised all that is great about this Club. He will be sadly missed. Best of luck to all clubs and their supporters, players, backroom teams and match officials. I urge our Senior Team to embrace this day and the opportunities it may afford. John Toner, Manager Jim Kirk, Cathaoirleach I would like to thank our new club A word from sponsor Bernie Rafferty for supporting us during what is an the Captain uncertain financial time for many businesses. A true Gael and a friend of It is an honour and a privilege to captain Cú Chulainn hurling club. this Cù Chulainn hurling team in this, our 75th year. Finally I would like to acknowledge our opponents Middletown Na 2020 has been a challenging year for Fianna. We look forward to a tough everyone in society, but GAA and hurling sporting encounter. have been our sanctuary. This group of players have met those challenges in Connor Devlin order to be here today. We look forward Cú Chulainn hurling club to the contest that awaits us in today’s game.

CÚ CHULAINN

BAINISTEOIR: JOHN TONER CAPTAEN: CONNOR DEVLIN

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Adam Substitutes: Murtagh 16. Paddy 17. Shane O’Hagan 2 3 4 18. Fionntán Oliver 19. Rory Devlin Caolan Stefan Caolan 20. Ciaran Duffy Rice McParland McReynolds 21. Tommy Turley 22. Lorcán Coulter 23. Ronan Davidson 5 6 7 24. Oisín Richards 25. Dermot Hicks Ciaran Tom Eoghan 26. William Wong Clifford Marley Gribbin 27. Tiarnan Fagan 28. John 8 9 29. David Ryan 30. Sean Clifford Connor Kevin Devlin (c) Muldoon 10 11 12

Conor Tony Cormac Cartmill Duffy Toner

13 14 15

Jordan Neil Conleth Murtagh Duffy Lavery COLLIDH CHANANNÁIN BAINISTEOIR: CONNOR MC CANN, SYLVESTER MC CONNELL & BARNEY MC CANN CAPTAEN: MARTIN MOAN

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Fintan Substitutes: Woods 16. Padraig Mc Guigan 17. Cahal Carvill 2 3 4 18. Shaun Toal 19. Sean Og Mc Guinness Liam Shea Odhran 20. Paul Gaffney Woods Gaffney Curry 21. Pedar Mc Bride 22. Nathan Hunt 23. Matta Carvill 5 6 7 24. Padraig Mallon 25. Darragh Harnett Padraig Nathan Pauric 26. Conor Lappin Curry Hughes 27. James Mc Kernan 28. Pauric Curry 29. Brian Mallon 8 9 30. Colm Moran

Paddy Kieran Mc Bride Mc Kernan

10 11 12

David Dean Mark Carvill Gaffney Mc Clatchey

13 14 15

Martin Ryan Tiarnan Moan (c) Gaffney Nevin

A word from the Captain

It is a great honour for me to captain this great It has been an extremely competitive team in today’s county final. Hurling has championship so far with 5 teams now provided a welcomed distraction in recent involved and we relish the challenge that months for all us in Middletown during what Cuchulainns will bring us today. Hopefully, has been a challenging year in general. our hard work pays off and we will bring the cup back to Middletown this evening. I would like to thank our main sponsor DMG Tyres and all our supporters for their continued Martin Moan, Captain support. On behalf of the team, I would like to Na Fianna thank our dedicated management team of Conzo, Rocky, Barney and physio Laura for their hard work and commitment to the team. Chairman's Manager's message message As chairperson of Middletown GAA, we are delighted to be back in another To get to a senior championship final is county senior hurling final. always a great achievement for any team and club. With the circumstances that Our management team of Connor, everyone has faced and seeing what the Sylvester and Barney along with this very lads have put into this campaign in such a talented bunch of lads have worked very short time this year, it makes this one hard year to reach todays county final special. and everybody in the club wishes them well as they aim to claim the inaugural Rocky, Barney and I know the players will Jimmy Carlisle cup. give everything for the black and white jersey when they enter the field and we I would like to thank our hardworking can ask no more than that as we aim to hurling secretary Rory and our win another county title. committee especially our Covid officer Kate for their work in what has been On behalf of the management team I anything but a normal year for everyone. would like to thank all the players, our physio Laura for keeping the lads in such Finally, Middletown Na Fianna and great shape, our supporters, and sponsor Cuchulainns have had many epic battles DMG tyres for the continued support. on the hurling field down through the We know this will be a very keenly years and we hope that today’s match contested game with Cuchulainns will be no different and lives up to our and hope that the game will live up to expectations. expectations and may the best team win. Is mise le meas. Connor Mc Cann, Manager Damien Mc Guinness, Cathaoirleach A word from the Captain

Is mór an onóir dom bheith i mo Chaptaen ar This Panel of Craobh Rua players have fhoireann Craobh Rua inniu agus muid ag given great commitment to our Club this iarraidh Craobh Shóisearach iomána a bhaint. season and we deservedly take our place in this final against our opponents Killeavy, who The very fact that we have a County Hurling final also are worthy finalists. is a great tribute to the Association within our County and we thank those at all levels, for This Final is important to our Club, our players helping to make this possible. our members and our community. Our efforts today is for them and for our deceased We also express our gratitude to those health members and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a care and frontline workers who have looked n-anam after and served our communities. Miceál O ‘Deorain, Captain Manager's message

Míle buíochas do na hiománaithe uilig atá ar mo phainéal. Chairman's

Managing this Craobh Rua team has been hugely rewarding for myself and my message assistant manager Damien Britton, and backroom team of Daryll Gallogly and Joe I mbliain seo na paindéime airíonn muid McEldowney. This panel of hurlers have uainn ár gcairde uilig idir bheo agus given us great commitment and respect. mharbh. That is a credit to them, their families and their hurling coaches at this Club who The last few months have been difficult have developed most of them through particularly for those who have lost the various age groups. friends or family members. This year our senior team has inspired us and I wish I want to say Míle buíochas to an Coiste them and their mentors the best of luck Craobh Rua Camlocha, our coaches, in today’s Armagh Junior Final. players, members, sponsors and supporters. A special word of mention to I would also like to thank Cathal Austin our Covid Officers and those others who and all at The Quays, for their quietly worked behind the scene to help continued sponsorship which has been prepare us for this day. very important to us over the years. I look forward to a competitive and We hope today’s match is a credit sporting final. to the skills and commitment of both finalists. Ar aghaidh le chéile Labhrás Ó Brolcháin, Cathaoirleach Pól Cuinneagáin, Manager Craobh Rua Camlocha CRAOBH RUA

BAINISTEOIR: PÓL Ó CUINNEGAN CAPTAEN: PADRAIG GAIRBHEITH

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Ryan Substitutes: Lundy 16. Caolan Rowntree 17. Jay O’Hare 2 3 4 18. Fionn O Callaghan 19. Aodhán Nutley Óisin Bryan Conor 20. Fionn McCann Fearon McKevitt Devlin 21. Cillian Murray 22. J J Fallon 23. Declan Harris 5 6 7 24. Nathan O’Shea 25. Tom Trainor Micheal Óisin Miceal 26. Ryan Diamond Garvey O’ Hare Doran (c) 27. Callum Campbell 28. Óisin Cooney 8 9 29. Ryan Shortt 30. Micheál Bradley Stephen Patrick 31. Dara Cunningham O’Keefe Garvey 32. Feargal Cooney 33. Cormac Feeley 10 11 12 34. Ronan Reavey 35. Fionnan Burns

Tiarnan Conor Sean O’ Hare McKevitt Watters

13 14 15

Ronan Fiachra Ryan Casey Bradley Lewis CILL SLÉIBHE

BAINISTEOIR: NIALL Ó THRÉINIR CAPTAEN: DAVID GRANT

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Shane Substitutes: Quinn 16. Patrick Connor 17. Thomas Cassidy 2 3 4 18. Shea Gregory 19. Adam Matthews Morgan Peter Adam 20. Stephen Keenan Thomas Smith O’Neill 21. Conor McNally 22. Shane Keenan 23. Padraig McParland 5 6 7 24. Calum Quinn 25. Fearghal Murphy Connor Barra Fergal 26. Aaron O’Neill Hannaway McAteer Connolly 27. Cathal Doherty 28. Finlay Brady 8 9 29. Conor King 30. Tiernan Breslin 31. Tomás McCrink Eoin Seamus McParland Strain 32. Niall O’Neill 33. Jack Breen 34. Miceal Rice 10 11 12 35. Stephen McMullan

Joseph Joseph Matthew O’Connor Grant McEvoy

13 14 15

Niall David Liam Strain Grant (c) McNally A word from the Captain

It is with great honour to be captaining our club A huge thank you to our manager Niall and his in the Junior championship final today and a huge team, who without their guidance we would privilege to lead this group of players who have be unlikely to be in this position today. I would shown great amounts of determination and also like to extend my gratitude to all our dedication throughout this championship previous senior manager’s as although we had campaign. little success in the past, they have helped to pave the way for the future. This year has been a year of uncertainty and to be able to participate in a county final provides a I would also like to thank our main sponsor Ma beacon of hope for all players, management and Bakers and the club committee for their wider community. The Armagh county board continued support this year. therefore deserve huge credit in the planning and organisation of all games across all codes Finally, I would like to congratulate Craobh Rua throughout this difficult time. on reaching the county final and wish them all the best in what hopes to be a great day for As a team we are extremely proud to reach the South Armagh hurling. county final and this reflects successfully on the work being completed by all our underage hurling David Grant, Captain volunteers. Chairman's message

Killeavy GAC is proud to field across all Manager's codes and while we have had some good days this year in football and camogie, it is great to see the flags and message posters around the club to mark the achievement of our senior hurlers in It’s been a privilege to manage this reaching the Junior County final. Killeavy team, as a former player I would have loved to have played alongside It has been a difficult year as we deal these lads, their commitment passion and with the threat of coronavirus and I skills are second to none. would thank the County Board for ensuring that we have been able to Today’s final is a real local derby with both make the best out of a disjointed teams knowing each other so well season. throughout the years and hopefully it will be a great advertisement for future hurlers Our neighbours from Craobh Rua join us of both parishes. in the final and I'm sure the little local rivalry will help to create an enthralling It’s been a tough year for everyone in every contest. I wish every success for aspect of life but hopefully these lads can manager Niall Trainor and his team deliver come Sunday and lift our collective and I hope we are all able to celebrate spirits. tonight at an appropriate social distance.

Niall Trainor, Manager Michael O' Neill, Cathaoirleach Keeping you connected

With restrictions on the number of spectators at our games, never before has live streaming been so important.

Covering over 20 live matches to thousands of viewers across the world and at home, Armagh TV has travelled to various venues to showcase club league and championship games over the past number of months.

Armagh TV volunteers have engaged viewers during a compacted championship knock-out season bringing all the thrills and spills along the way - with extra-time and even penalties.

This weekend viewers can tune into the Junior and Intermediate county football finals bringing you live action, pre-match interviews from the captains and post-match interviews.

Armagh TV boasts a whole range of voluntary personnel who deliver and promote our games and we simply could not provide this service without their continuous efforts.

Armagh GAA Chairman Mickey Savage said, "There is no doubt we are extremely privileged to have Armagh TV and the volunteers who provide this service for our .

"As the first county in Ireland to break ground on steaming games the team have continued to go from strength to strength over the years.

"I want to pay a massive thanks to our hardworking volunteers for the fantastic service they have provided, I know a lot of planning, time and effort goes into streaming our games and it's a service that has never been as important until now during these uncertain times."

Spectator safety guidelines

In order to assist our staff and stewards, If you are seated when moving past other and to help protect you and your fellow spectators, to and from your seat, please spectators, you are kindly requested to avoid face to face contact with other follow these guidelines. spectators.

All all times and in all parts of the ground, If you are standing, please stay within your please observe social distancing and avoid social bubble and remain aware of the close contact with others not in your social movements of others at all times. bubble. Maintain good hand hygiene - use the Arrive in good time to go through all the sanitiser dispensers provided and avoid necessary entry procedures. touching your face, or handles, railings etc. where possible. Make sure in advance you know where your entry point is, and, if an entry time is Please observe respiratory etiquette - always specified on your ticket, be there on time. cover your mouth when needing to cough or sneeze. If you need to access any of the grounds amenities, such as toilets, food or drink Avoid hugs, high-fives, and any close outlets, or concessions, check to see if any contact with people who are not within of them are not in use and plan your social bubble. accordingly. If you are attending with other members of Remain in your seat or place at all times your social bubble, please make sure they wherever possible. have read and understand these guidelines too. If you need to leave your viewing position, wait for a time the gangway is clear and Thank you for your support and co- always follow the signs indicating which operation. Stay Alert. Stay Safe. way to go. Help us all, your fellow fans, your club, your sport, your community. ARMAGH

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