Ulster’s Championship Struggle: Can Armagh Break the Curse?

Armagh’s pursuit of an unprecedented feat – defending an All-Ireland title in Ulster – sets the stage for a crucial run of games this season. Kieran McGeeney’s squad is aiming to accomplish what no Northern Province team has achieved since September 24, 1961: retaining the Sam Maguire. However, a deep dive into Ulster’s history reveals a consistent and frustrating trend – a remarkable ability to relinquish provincial glory remarkably quickly.

Over the past nine decades, Ulster has produced four provincial champions – Donegal, Derry, Armagh, and Tyrone – each beginning their reign with an exhilarating victory. Yet, the pattern across the sport is clear: few have managed to back up their success. The province’s dominance in the 1990s, marked by shifting titles among Derry, Down, and Donegal, showcased this cyclical nature. Down’s double in 1960/61 and 1969 served as the last interruption to this pattern, but it quickly went again.

The Ghosts of Provincial Champions Past

Since the 1990s, Ulster teams have historically struggled to hold onto their provincial crowns. While counties like Derry and Down have maintained multiple titles, the support has been short-lived, with most provincial triumphs remaining just one season.

Down: A Brief Reign (1960-1969)

“Perhaps the signs were there as the league drew to a conclusion with Down suffering a shock loss to Westmeath in their Division One semi-final in Carrickmacross.”

Down’s 1969 title defense crumbled swiftly after a disappointing loss to Cavan. They had previously secured victories over Antrim and Monaghan, culminating in a seven-point defeat in the Ulster final. This marked the end of their phenomenal run and a potent reminder that provincial success doesn’t guarantee continuity.

Down: The “Massacre at the Marshes” (1992)

As the Moore’s era of Down’s dominance gathered pace, Down’s 1991/92 league campaign showcased the fragility of their position. Despite drawing four of their five games, they fell to a 0-12 to 0-09 defeat at the hands of Derry in the Ulster semi-final. Derry, fuelled by victories over Armagh and honed by a dominant league campaign, proved to be formidable opposition. The ‘massacre at the Marshes’ the following season saw Derry avenge the defeat with an emphatic 11-point victory.

Derry: The Tir Chonaill Fire (1993)

In 1992/93, Derry, led by Pete McGrath, put a stop to Down’s reign with a narrow 0-08 to 0-06 victory in Clones. Derry’s pool of talent – including the Downeys, Brolly, and Gormley – highlighted their potential for continued success. However, Donegal’s 120,000+ crowd in Dublin demonstrated the strength of the Leinster opposition, ultimately leading to a 0-06 to 0-06 draw. Derry’s first-ever win over Donegal was marred by unrest amongst its supporters.

Donegal: A Short-Lived Title (1993)

Donegal’s 1992/93 league triumph saw them overcome Dublin in a thrilling replay, but their provincial campaign quickly faded. Despite a strong performance in Croke Park, they succumbed to Derry in the Ulster final, a game described as a “bog” by observers. This marked the end of their short-lived resurgence.

Derry: Losing Momentum (1994)

The triumphant 1993 season proved to be a turning point for Derry. Having built a formidable team around Anthony Tohill and Joe Brolly, they were swiftly humbled in the 1994 Ulster final by Down. Down’s 1-14 to 1-12 victory in Celtic Park signaled the end of Eamonn Coleman’s reign, despite a dramatic late rally.

Down: Reclaiming the Crown (1995)

Despite a weak title defense – losing to Donegal in the Ulster preliminary round – Down successfully reclaimed the provincial title in 1995. However, this triumph was overshadowed by a bitter dispute between RTÉ and UTV over broadcasting rights. The clash of sporting interests ultimately led to RTÉ canceling the Sunday Game show, a contentious episode in Irish sports broadcasting.

Armagh: An Early Exit (2003)

Joe Kernan’s Armagh team, the first Ulster side to reach an All-Ireland final since 1961 and the first to have a backdoor qualifier round, fell short in their title defense against Tyrone in 2003. Their 0-17 to 1-13 loss, highlighted by Conor Gormley’s crucial block, abruptly ended their remarkable journey. Tyrone’s success underscored the difficulty of sustaining provincial success.

Tyrone: A Fleeting Glory (2004)

Tyrone’s 2004 victory was built on the momentum of their 2005 All-Ireland triumph. However, their title defense proved to be short-lived, as they were defeated by Donegal in the Ulster semi-final. This defeat highlighted the challenge of maintaining a winning mentality and the pressure of expectation.

Tyrone: A Secondive Title (2006)

Tyrone’s 2006 Ulster campaign was a notable disappointment, as they failed to score a single point in their opening match against Derry. This humiliating defeat exposed vulnerabilities within the team and ultimately led to Mickey Harte’s departure.

Tyrone: A Quick Repeat (2009)

Tyrone did manage to retain the title in 2009, defeating Antrim in the final, but their subsequent campaign was no more successful and the cycle continued.

Donegal: A Bitter Defeat (2013)

Despite reaching the Ulster final in 2013, Donegal’s hopes were dashed by a dominant Monaghan side. The result exposed a lack of defensive solidity and a failure to match the intensity of their rivals.

Armagh: The Latest Chapter (2022)

Armagh’s impressive 2021 All-Ireland success was quickly followed by a disappointing defeat to Derry in the Ulster Championship. Derry’s 1-21 to 1-09 victory highlighted the challenges that lie ahead for Armagh as they seek to maintain their momentum.

Watch Tyrone v Cavan in the Ulster Football Championship on Sunday from 3.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.

Watch the Camogie League finals, Offaly v Derry and Cork v Galway, on Sunday from 12pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Follow a live blog on the Division 1 final on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app

Did you know? Armagh’s chase for an unprecedented feat adds a special layer to this year’s Ulster championship.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on team form and key injuries leading up to the games. These factors can often make a significant difference.

Call to Action: Share your thoughts on Armagh’s chances in the comments below!