Armagh's Nugent aiming to make breakthrough

AIDAN Nugent and his team-mates will be making their Ulster Final debut when they take on Derry in St Tiernach's Park in Clones.

The Cullyhanna forward is an outstanding footballer, he and Rian O’Neill are in their second season as joint Armagh captains and to get their hands on the Anglo-Celt Cup, would put the county back on top of Ulster.

It’s been 15 years since Mullaghbawn’s Peter McDonnell guided Armagh to their last Ulster success in 2008 and no player in the current Armagh squad has tasted success. In fact, a year later, James Morgan, Rory Grugan and Aidan Forker won a Minor All-Ireland title. It has been a long road back and it’s a new frontier for these players but Nugent insists that it hasn’t weighed heavy on him.

“It’s new territory for us, we haven’t been in the Ulster final, anyone in the group. I don’t think there’s anyone in the team that has been there but we’re looking forward to it. We like the big days as much as anyone so we’re looking forward to it,” Nugent said.

“I think I said it before, Ulster’s not the be all and end all. If it was coming up to an All-Ireland Final you would be saying it’s a must win, it’s do or die.

“Obviously, you’d like to win the final, but I don’t think it’s something that has hampered us over the last few years because we ended up trying to get a run through the Qualifiers and we got a good bit of momentum built up last year.

“It is important, it’s vitally important, you want to win every game you can, but I don’t think it’s something that we’ve dwelled over too much over these last few years of not getting to an Ulster final, I think it’s more people outside the camp that’s been more worried about it.”

Armagh have the players that can hurt Derry, Andrew Murnin and Rian O’Neill can be the perfect target men, they’ve a tight defence and an improving midfield. There’s no one solution fits all with this Armagh team and competition for places is fierce.

Shane McPartlan got his chance because Rian O’Neill was injured, what a waste that would have been sitting on the bench, but therein lies Armagh’s strength on the bench.

Crossmaglen’s Callum Cumiskey, Soupy Campbell, Nugent, Cian McConville, Niall Grimley and Ciaran Higgins are players that can make a positive impact. Stephen Sheridan will do a good job, then there are some of the best performing players in the county such as Niall Rowland, not getting a look into the squad of 26, but pushing his team-mates all the way in training.

Ben Crealy walked off the pitch in the semi-final, while defenders James Morgan and Barry McCambridge didn’t play against Down but the Orchard captain expects them to be feature against Derry.

“I think they’re all fine,” Nugent said.

“I suppose having a wee bit of depth in our squad, maybe in years gone by they would have tried to solider on through the injury or through the bit of a knock but having a strong enough bench that we’re able to replace them more cautionary than having an injury, but I think they’ll be fine next week.”

On the treatment table is Oisin O’Neill, Kieran O’Hanlon, Mark Shields among others.

Armagh are no one-trick pony, but they have the players to kick long and move the ball fast.

“If you’ve got it in your armor to kick into space and to the forwards it’ll save the legs and the way the game is going, it’s end to end so you need to be able to do that,” said Nugent.

“There’s a mix of safety first and then there’s playing what you see but I think it’s the quality of teams that you’re playing against and the pace of the players on the opposing team that if you do give the ball away cheaply, you’re going to be punished.

“I suppose there is a bit of safety first but then on the flip side of it you need to be able to play off the cuff a bit too.”

Nugent says he appreciates the support from the Armagh fans he hopes to tap into the feel-good factor within the Orchard County.

“There’s a good buzz when you’re talking to a few of the supporters you can see the excitement building but I’m sure next week it’ll start to romp up,” Nugent said.

“We’ll just put the heads down and get a bit of training done but I’m sure next week is when the excitement will start to build and there’ll be a good feel for it around the county.

“You know, there’s been a good buzz, the Armagh support is great so it’s good to see them on a high too. We’re looking forward to it, it’s the first final I’ve been in in a long time. You have to cherish too.

“I think I said it before, every game feels like a home game, they’re all your best friend now looking tickets. Listen, it could be worse, you could have very little support.

“I’d say it’s the same in most counties, there seems to be a bigger enjoyment now of the young lads and girls this last few years, I don’t know what it is, but you see it after games and they’re out looking gloves and jersey’s signed and that. It’s good to see.”

The Cullyhanna forward said he is fully aware of the challenge his side faces against Derry team that can shoot from anywhere and like to build up early leads.

“I think most teams are playing similar now, there’s very few teams now playing 15 on 15, and Derry are playing the same way as most counties, but they seem to have mastered it very well,” said Nugent.

“They’ve got a knack of building up a lead and if you’re playing with that defensive side of football and you’ve built up a lead, against any county, it’s going to be hard to draw back. The aim of the game will be to stay in it and grind it out.

“I think confidence comes with momentum and Derry have built that up this past few years and I suppose it’s the sign of a great team that they have their marquee forwards, the likes of (Shane) McGuigan, but if you look at the end of the game, their scores are spread throughout the team and that’s hard to play against.

“The people that maybe aren’t known for scoring are popping up with crucial scores for them and that means they’re a dangerous team. You go out trying to shut out they’re main men and sometimes you might do that, but they have other players popping up with scores.

“I think that’s just the way the game’s going, any team now very rarely has out and out markers, they might be pinned with a job, but they’re all expected to get up.

“If teams are putting 15 behind the ball you’re going to try and press up on them whether you’re corner back or corner forward, at some stage of the game you’re going to get a chance to shoot so everyone is expected to be able to put the ball over the bar. Derry seems to be able to do that very well lately.”