WATCH: ‘We have proven that we can compete with the top teams’ says Armagh captain Clodagh McCambridge

Armagh captain Clodagh McCambride says that the team have proved that they can compete with the top teams in Ireland week-in and week-out and that they are looking forward to this weekend’s final against Kerry.

“I suppose our experience in Division One so far has been really positive,” she said.

“Coming into the year we were trying to prove to ourselves that we can compete with the top teams and to be able to do that we have had to put in performances, and grind out wins, and that has got us into the position that we're in now.

“We're looking forward to the league final.”

Armagh have been one of the top contenders for glory in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in recent years, but were stuck in Division 2 of the league for longer than they would have liked.

In terms of the team’s progression, McCambridge says they need to continue to rub shoulders with the other top teams on a regular basis.

“Definitely. Division One has always been a target for us for years,” she said.

“We have been there or thereabouts in terms of nearly getting there, but it was so tough, especially when only one team went up.

“To now be in Division One and reaffirming our place there, that we are capable of competing with the top teams was really important to us.

“Coming into Championship, you could be drawn against a big team, and we can't just be waiting until those games every year to do that. We need more exposure to those games in order to push on and progress come Championship.”

Sunday will be the first time in Armagh Ladies’ history that they will contest a Division 1 league final, and McCambridge says the team must ‘embrace and enjoy’ the lead-up to such an important game.

“It's really special,” said the Armagh captain.

“It's something that I know the group are really looking forward to and it's going to be a special day for our families and all of our supporters, getting a day out in Croke Park.

“We had a great day there last year getting our Division Two title. So, we will prepare the same as any other game, but it's something to embrace and enjoy in the build-up to it.”

Greg McGonigle has made a great start to life as Armagh manager, and McCambridge, who played under him at Clann Eireann say he leaves ‘no stone unturned’ in preparing the team.

“We are so lucky to have Greg in with us,” she said.

“He's so well respected within the camp, and the main thing I think is that for us as a group of players, we feel so prepared because he leaves no stone unturned.

“He really challenges us as a group to push on and get the best out of us, and I think that we are working towards that.

“The girls are buying into everything he has asked from them which is great.”

On our latest podcast, Armagh’s Clodagh McCambridge and Greg McGonigle look ahead to the game. It’s available on Spotify at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5m4lzlangZJUur3tW68rJS?si=015b04260ff34592 and Acast: https://shows.acast.com/the-newry-reporter-sports-podcast/episodes/the-weekend-preview-show-2