Jarly Óg Burns isn’t sure just what has led to Armagh rediscovering their best form, but he is hoping it continues as the Orchardmen look ahead to the All-Ireland series with renewed confidence.
Few would have given Armagh much of a chance of reaching the last eight after they were beaten by Donegal by seven points in their Ulster SFC quarter-final back in April.
Fast forward seven weeks and all bets are off as Kieran McGeeney’s side are now just two wins away from a first All-Ireland final appearance since 2003 after back-to-back wins over 2021 champions Tyrone and Donegal in the Qualifiers.
Read more: Armagh are on the right track under 'Geezer' says Rory Grugan
They take on Galway in the quarter-finals with Derry and Clare also in their side of the draw.
Were it not for Rian O’Neill’s stunning 1-7 haul, Burns might have secured the Man-of-the-Match award in Clones on Sunday as he helped himself to three points from play from wing-back.
The Silverbridge clubman expressed his relief at finally getting the better of Donegal after two defeats to Declan Bonner’s side earlier in the campaign.
“We needed that performance. To get one back-to-back win was big for us,” said Burns.
“Thank God, we cruised to victory in the second half and we could enjoy the last five or 10 minutes.
“Donegal have had our number for the past few years - that was a massive win for this group.
“It is hard to put your finger on it (what has changed). It is a cliché to say hard work, but we didn’t work hard enough in Ballybofey.
“We looked at ourselves in the mirror. Nobody played up to the level they could and we knuckled down and got it right, figured out a few things.
“There was big pressure on us to rectify that game in Ballybofey - it wasn’t good enough. That’s a huge weight off our shoulders now to that win and to get past Donegal.
He added: “We’ve struggled to put back-to-back performances in the past and that’s what was asked of us.
“We knuckled down and didn’t panic and, thankfully we got, not only a win, but a performance. That was the most important thing to us.”
There is already a huge demand for tickets for Armagh’s quarter-final tie against Galway, which will be played as part of a double-header with Kerry versus Mayo on Sunday, June 26 at Croke Park.
The Orchard faithful massively outnumbered Donegal fans in St Tiernach’s Park last week and Burns stressed that their loyalty hasn’t gone unnoticed by the Armagh panel.
“Armagh fans have wanted a team to scream for,” said Burns.
“Thankfully, now we are giving them that. They deserve it. They are such loyal supporters, no matter how bad we are going or how good we are going.
“They’re always at your back. It felt like it was two-to-one Armagh fans against Donegal - the crowd was unbelievable.”
Read more: Neil McManus backs Darren Gleeson to remain as Antrim senior hurling manager
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
