Go figure: Why Armagh are on the up and gunning for Kerry, according to actuary McCambridge
SUPERMARKET SWEEP: In attendance at a photocall ahead of the 2024 Lidl Ladies National Football League Finals are Armagh captain Clodagh McCambridge and Kerry captain Niamh Carmody. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
AS SOMEONE who works as an actuary Clodagh McCambridge has a real head for figures.
And based on the laws of probability that guide her work, the Armagh captain believes her side can topple reigning champions Kerry in their first ever Lidl Division 1 NFL final on Sunday.
Two years ago the same teams met in the Division Two decider and the progress of the Kingdom since - and Meath’s similar trajectory beforehand - in their first year up in premier, adds to her conviction that the Orchard women can go all the way.
They have already surprised many by blazing a trail in their first return to the top flight in seven years.
Their unbeaten run included defeating Kerry in Armagh and their only loss so far this season was to Dublin in the last round, when they had already qualified and were deliberately understrength.
So what has made them such a force this season?
One factor has to be new manager Gregory McGonigle (ex-Dublin and Monaghan boss) who also led her club Clann Eireann Lurgan to their historic first Ulster club title last season.
“Greg is well experienced and, at club level, the girls just bought into what he was asking of them. We talked early about winning an Ulster title and were able to achieve that and then, unfortunately, we met Ballymacarbry in the (All-Ireland) semi-final.
“When we were playing in Division 2 for so long, to finally get out has helped girls really enjoy their football,” McCambridge adds.
“At the start we were just targeting staying up. People might have thought we were one of the teams who were at risk of getting relegated so you want to kind of squash that early enough if you can.
“We were lucky enough to get over the line in our first home game, against Cork, just scrapped over it but then once you get three, four wins you’re looking to push on and see if you can make the final.”
Armagh have long had brilliant individuals like the Mackin sisters and midfield veteran Caroline O’Hanlon. The 39-year-old doctor is still playing Super League netball for Leeds Rhinos but has fully committed to the county for a 23rd season and provides huge experience and skill.
“We are really lucky to have Caroline in the camp, not just what she adds on the field but off the field, “ McCambridge says.
Their dependable full-back could have gone down the elite netball route herself.
Her mum was a senior international and she played for Northern Ireland in a European U21 Championships but the draw of Gaelic games proved greater and is in her blood.
Her dad is from North Antrim and her childhood was spent following the fortunes of her famous uncles Conor, Ciaran and Michael with the Saffron’s hurlers.
She has covid to thank for shortening the commuting demands of her job with VHI.
“I mostly work from home now but I used to be based in Dublin and had no car then so I had to take the train home to training three times a-week, to Newry or Portadown and then get a lift.”
Kerry are still smarting from their last big game in Croke Park; their second All-Ireland final defeat in-a-row Armagh have had some epic battles with them in recent years only to let them slip in the third or fourth quarter but not last month.
“In other years that might have been a game we would have lost. We were up at halftime, they had a good third quarter, and we were still able to see it out (3-14 to 1-13). I think that's something that will give girls a lot of confidence on Sunday.”
The Division Two final (Kildare and Tyrone) provides the curtain-raiser in Croker (both live on TG4) while Saturday’s Division Three (Clare v Roscommon) and Four (Limerick v Carlow) finals are in Birr (live on TG4 YouTube).
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