Darragh McMullan powers Madden to maiden Armagh senior title

McMullan score three points and conduct Madden's attack as they defeated Cullyhanna. 

Madden's Oisin O'Hara celebrates with the cup. Pic: ©INPHO/Leah Scholes

Armagh SFC final: Madden 0-20 Cullyhanna 0-9 

Madden cruised to their maiden Armagh Senior Club Championship title with a convincing display against the comeback kings Cullyhanna.

Played in Armagh’s Box-It Athletic Grounds on Sunday, Madden were a team on a mission, they bossed the contest throughout the field and didn’t allow Cullyhanna to find any sort of rhythm.

Darragh McMullan enjoyed a breakthrough year with Armagh and on Sunday he earned the Player of the Match award with an outstanding display as he helped conduct his side's assured display with clever link up play.

They say it was written in the stars as the club that has endured the darkest of days has made dreams come true and Madden did it in emphatic fashion, by limiting Cullyhanna to nine points and only five from play. It was disappointing for the south Armagh side, but they never got the breaks they needed, especially around the middle, with Niall Grimley, Ciaran Rafferty and Oisin O’Hara making big fetches.

In defence, Tony O’Hagan stood tallest, as they imposed their will on Cullyhanna, while each of Madden’s half-back line of O’Hara, Donal Rafferty and Niall Smith grabbed a point apiece.

Madden were in control at the break with a six-point lead and they weathered Cullyhanna’s expected comeback but in truth, it was the mid-Armagh side that dominated the contest with their impressive defensive display denying the south Armagh side any kind of way back in.

Madden went two points to the good, through Aron McKenna and Conor Grimley (free) before Aidan Nugent’s two-point free on ten minutes levelled the score.

Mark Harte’s men cleaned up the midfield, they slowed the game when needed and picked off points with impressive running off the shoulder. They won the duels they needed to and permitted Cullyhanna to only nine points.

Armagh’s Darragh McMullan stroked over a two-pointer and Madden stretched their lead with Ciaran Rafferty, Conor Grimley and Donal Rafferty on target. Nugent’s converted free stopped the rot briefly but points from Niall Smith, Conor Grimley and Joe Sheridan put Madden in the driving seat. 

All-Star nominee Ross McQuillan kicked over after only 13 seconds into the restart, which normally would spark a comeback and while Gary Mackin, Shea Hoey and Nugent (free) tagged on scores, Madden had all the answers and finished the game on top with an assured last quarter.

Ciaran Rafferty, Oisin O’Hara, McMullan, Joe Sheridan and Conor Grimley kept the scoreboard ticking over as they put Cullyhanna in the rearview mirror. Conor Grimley finished with a stunning eight points, including a magnificent two-pointer with the last kick of the game, while Nugent was sent off in additional time after picking up a second yellow card.

It’s a maiden championship win for Madden and the celebrations will go on for a week before they even start thinking about Ulster while Cullyhanna’s search for the Gerry Fegan Cup continues.

CULLYHANNA: James Carragher, Sean Og Irwin, Phelim Savage, Cathal Burns, Sean Connell, Mickey Murray, Ross McQuillan (0-01), Caolan Reavey, Gavan Duffy, Jason Duffy, Shea Hoey (0-01), Gary Mackin (0-01), Aidan Nugent (0-04, 1tpf), Tony Donnelly, Kieran McCooey.

Subs: Donnacha Gribben for Mackin (55’), Neil McCreesh for Reavey (55’).

MADDEN: Jamie Sheridan, Shea Vallely, Tony O’Hagan, Peter Lappin, Oisin O’Hara (0-01), Donal Rafferty (0-01), Niall Smith (0-01), Dylan Crilly, Cathal Donnelly, Aron McKenna (0-02), Ciaran Rafferty (0-02), Darragh McMullen (0-03, 1tp), Joe Sheridan (0-02), Niall Grimley, Conor Grimley (0-08, 0-6f, 1tpf).

Subs: Patrick Smith for McKenna (54’).

Referee: Neil McGeown (Sarsfields).