Armagh and Roscommon have enjoyed a keen rivalry since their initial National Hurling League encounter at Athleague in April 1980. Then Roscommon rattled home half a dozen goals including a Jackie Kilroy three goal first half haul in a twenty point success.
When they made their first visit to the Orchard County in the 1980-81 League, a mere six months later, those gathered at Keady enjoyed a significant turnaround in a nine goal thriller.
Armagh enjoyed a great first period, carrying a seven point advantage into half time. Roscommon responded just after the restart to bring the game level, before goals from Pat Devlin and Conor McKeown gave their side an advantage that they were not to lose. John Corvan registered 2-2 as the men in orange secured two league points on a 5-8 to 4-4 scoreline.
It proved to be a period which spanned thirty-two years and fourteen meetings in the League before Armagh again tasted success against the Rossies, when the counties clashed in Crossmaglen.
Armagh had edged ahead on occasions in a tight encounter that was level at the break, but a Ryan Gaffney goal midway through the second half gave Armagh a distinct advantage, running out 1-20 to 1-14 winners. It was a contest where Armagh’s half-forward line of Declan Coulter (0-5), Ryan Gaffney (1-3), and David Carvill (0-5) wrestled victory.
A year later at Athleague, Armagh recorded unique back-to-back league wins over Roscommon. With the advantage of the breeze, the home county had carved out a 1-8 to 0-7 lead. But Conor Corvan goals within a minute of each other early in the second-half, turned the game and when Declan Coulter goaled to open a seven-point advantage that ultimately proved the margin of victory, 3-15 to 2-11.
Armagh’s most recent and perhaps most impressive victory over this weekend’s opponents came in the Division 3a semi-final at Dr. Hyde Park in 2022. Beaten in the Athletic Grounds by the bare minimum a mere twenty days previously by Roscommon, Armagh produced a fine performance on the road, in an amazing encounter where cards, red and black were to the fore.
Roscommon built a 0-13 to 0-10 half-time lead despite the ordering off of Padraig Kelly during the first period.
Armagh got back level when Simon Doherty pointed a penalty just after the restart after the home stopper had received a black card.
The Orchard County went down to fourteen before Roscommon lost another player to a further red card.
Meanwhile, Daniel Glynn did all he could to keep his side in the hunt with a personal tally of 0-14, whilst Fionntain Donnelly gave a masterful display for Armagh, registering 0-12 (10 from frees).
A Shea Harvey goal with five minutes left to play gave the visitors a 1-22 to 0-20 verdict.
Results in league encounters have seen Roscommon come out on top on three occasions, including the 2023 Division 3a final.
Armagh will be keen to bounce back from defeats to Louth and Wicklow in their third-ever league clash at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds.