ORCHARD MEET RED HAND IN TG4 SENIOR FINAL SUNDAY

TG4 ULSTER SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Armagh (holders) v Tyrone

 

The 2026 senior final sees neighbours Armagh and Tyrone do battle for the O Harte Cup.

Armagh operate in Division 1 of the league and will be aiming for a third Ulster title on the trot. Their league campaign was a mixed bag however wins over Kildare and Kerry and draws with Dublin and Meath ensured that they retained their premier league status.

In their first championship game they made home advantage count against Donegal winning 0-10 to 1-4. Blaithin Mackin was on fire that day scoring 4 first half points before injury forced her to retire. The Orchard girls minus Lauren Mc Conville and Kelly Mallon eased to victory.

Tyrone is the reigning All Ireland intermediate champions and played in Division 2 of the National league. They had a reasonable campaign drawing with Mayo and beating Monaghan, Westmeath and Tipperary.

Like Armagh they had to face Donegal in a round robin game. Played in Lifford, the Red Hands girls were on top from the start and went on to win 4-10 to 2-7. Chloe Mc Caffrey was the hero on the day scoring 3-1. Sorcha Gormley and Australia bound Aoife Horisk were also on target in their fine win.

With Armagh and Tyrone both winning their opening games, it meant their meeting was irrelevant as both had already qualified for today’s final. Both played understrength sides with Tyrone going on to win 1-10 to 0-8, Maeve Maxwell scoring their goal. For the second game in a row Lauren Mc Conville was absent from the Orchard side however underage sensation Cassie Henderson made her debut.

So who will win?

This has all the makings of a classic. Tyrone the reigning intermediate champions will have no fear playing the vastly experienced Armagh. Like last week’s intermediate final between Cavan and Monaghan, it will be close – don’t be surprised if it takes extra time to separate them.