‘The greatest feeling in the world’: Armagh fans reminisce on the county’s 2002 victory

Armagh is in the All Ireland final for the first time in 21 years and fans across the county are hoping the Orchard Men will take home the Sam for the second time.

The county last won in 2002 so many fans have been reminiscing on the game 22 years later.

Dearbhla Kelly

Dearbhla Kelly was only four months old when Armagh won the Sam Maguire Cup, as a life long Armagh fan she has always been proud to show off the photo of her in the cup.

She has dreamed of watching Armagh in the final for years: “I’m so excited for the final, its an unbelievable feeling it feels like a dream and at least this time I’ll be able to remember it. Armagh for Sam!” she said.

The McDonnell Family

Former Armagh player Steven McDonnell likely has a much more vivid memory of the 2002 win than most people. His wife, Lisa decided the day as “magical”.

She had been watching the game with Elaine Duffy, former player Jack Duffy’s wife.

“I remember myself and Elaine were seated together in the Lower Hogan and atmosphere was electric! The final whistle went and it was mental with everyone trying to get on the pitch.

“I just remember running on to the pitch all I wanted was to see and congratulate Steven, I managed to get right up to the front and was standing beside him when he lifted the Sam Maguire, just magical!” she said.

Many Armagh babies have photos of themselves sitting in the cup but Lisa And Steven’s then six month old daughter, Cliodhna has a very special claim to fame, “I will always remember Joe Kernan on the roof with the Sam and Cliodhna was the first baby to sit in it,” Lisa said.

Casey Connolly

Another baby to sit in the Sam Maguire Cup was Casey Connolly.

The life long Armagh fan is eager to watch the county win this year’s All Ireland: “I couldn’t speak here 22 years ago, but I’m shouting Armagh for Sam now!” she said.

Henry Morgan

During Armagh’s homecoming parade in 2002, Henry Morgan brought his donkey into the town centre.

Henry passed in 2010 but his granddaughter, Ceallaigh Gibney believes he would have loved to see Armagh making it to the final once again: “If he was here today he would have his donkey and orange and white cart out ready to celebrate Armagh going for Sam,” she said.

Gerard and Nicola Quigley

Armagh super fan, Gerard Quigley painted his house orange and white to celebrate the team making it to the final in 2002.

His daughter, Nicola got married the following weekend and used the orange and white wall as a backdrop to her wedding photos.

“My daughter was getting married the next week, when she first saw it she was raging but then when they won she was happy enough to get her wedding photos outside,” Gerard said.

The McAlinden Siblings

Kiefer and Bonnie-Louise McAlinden didn’t get to the match in 2002 but enjoyed celebrating the team’s homecoming.

“They didn’t attend the match in 2002 but will be attending on Sunday along with Bonnie’s Son Rían. They were getting ready to welcome the team and Sam home in that photo. We are very excited for Sunday and absolutely believe the boys will bring Sam home to Armagh,” their mum, Geraldine McAlinden said.

Christopher McKinstry and Conor McAlinden

Geraldine also shared a photo of her son Conor at Ceara School Lurgan with his friend Christopher McKinstry.

“Christopher and his family are looking forward to welcoming Sam back to Lurgan. Good luck Armagh,” Christopher’s sister, Maire Martin said.

Laura Traynor

Laura was a toddler when Armagh last won the All Ireland, at the times she visited her local football club with her mum where they got a photo with the trophy.

“Hopefully I get to take this photo again with the Sam Maguire cup 22 years later,” she said.

She believes the team will be able to win again, “I’m really enjoying the buzz around Armagh. It has brought the community together and it’s lovely to see. Now roll on Sunday to we take that cup home.”

Martin Powell and Rachel Doran

Rachel Doran attended the 2002 homecoming in Crossmaglen with her dad, Martin Powell.

“I was only 9 at the time of this photo but I remember Armagh winning like it was yesterday,” she said.

“There has been such a buzz ahead of the final and it’s amazing to see all the clubs and communities come together to deck the county in orange and white everywhere, especially in my hometown Keady.”

Rachel is heading to Croke Park to watch this year’s All Ireland, “I’m feeling excited, and nervous, for Sunday and really happy to be going to the match with my brother Rory,” she said.

Rioghan McClean

Rioghan watched the 2002 final with his then-girlfriend Roisin when they were both 16.

“It was the best summer of my life, we watched all the games together I think Ireland was also in the Euros that year so we watched it together too,” Rioghan said.

Roisin died in 2004 so Rioghan will be remembering her during the match, “Roisin passed away in April 2004, aged 18 shortly before her A-levels which was a huge shock in the community.

“She was a massive Armagh fan and her sister Caitriona is planning to wear her Armagh jersey in Croke Park on Sunday,” Rioghan said.

He hopes young people across Armagh have made memories this season similar to the ones he made in 2002: “Everyone is just casting their memory back to 2002 and remembering how happy we were then- I hope there are 16 year olds out there that are enjoying it the way me and Roisin did because those memories are some of the highlights of my life,” said Rioghan.

Brenda McGeough and Niall O’Hagan

Brenda McGeough took her nephew Niall O’Hagan to The Big Tree in Dublin to watch the final is 2002.

They are excited to watch this year’s final, “Think the game will be tight but hopefully Armagh will get the job done. It’s a long time from last time Sam was in Armagh,” Brenda said.

Ronan Doran

Ronan Doran was 15 when Armagh won the All Ireland in 2002.

“It was the greatest feeling in the world, Paul McGrane and Paddy McKeever who played in the final took Sam Maguire back to Damper Murphy’s in Armagh were I met them and had my photo taken with the trophy,” he said.

Ronan hopes the team can win again, “I’m very nervous but confident Armagh can get over the line so I can hold it again and for my own children to experience the feeling I had 22 years ago,” he said.