Armagh still need one more victory to be safe from relegation, but they’ll need no extra motivation ahead of their next Division One fixture says attacker Jason Duffy.
Last Saturday night’s three-point win over Donegal moved Armagh on to five points and, realistically, a draw from one of the last two games should be enough.
Their final home game of the campaign is on Saturday, March 18 with Galway visiting the Box-It Athletic Grounds with another bumper crowd expected at the Armagh City venue.
Read more: Kieran Donaghy hails “extremely important” Armagh victory but insists the Orchard aren’t safe yet
The game is a repeat of their infamous quarter-final clash last summer with the Tribesmen winning after a penalty shoot-out with an ugly brawl before half-time overshadowing what was a high quality game of football.
Galway went on to defeat Derry in the semi-final before losing out to Kerry in the All-Ireland final and Duffy says Armagh will relish locking horns with Pádraic Joyce’s side again.
“Definitely - a wee bit of revenge is needed,” said Duffy.
“They are a great side. We pushed them right to the wire the last time. Hopefully, we can get one over on them this time.
“There’s work to do and we’re by no means safe, but it gives you a bit of space and freedom to maybe express ourselves in the last two games.
“The games against Galway and Tyrone are going to be massive coming down the line.”
While retaining their Division One status is their primary aim, Armagh still have an outside chance of making the League final.
However, with their Ulster SFC clash with Antrim coming up just one week after the League finals, Kieran McGeeney’s men might be happy to avoid an additional fixture.
Yet, Duffy stressed the importance of keeping in the top flight and said Armagh’s attention will soon switch to ending their drought in the Ulster Senior Football Championship.
“Staying in Division One each year is massive. You want to be playing the best teams week in, week out. That’s how you are going to develop as a player and as a team. That’s what we are trying to do.
"I think it shows when you are playing the likes of Donegal and you are grinding out a win which gives a massive confidence boost, especially with the Ulster Championship in four weeks.”
He added: “Our focus is obviously on the League at the minute.
“Armagh haven’t won an Ulster title since 2008 so it is definitely something we are going to be going for. We’ll be fully focused on it.
“I know the League and the group stage of the Championship will be a bit more important this year but, definitely, we’re going to be pushing, full steam for the Ulster Championship.”
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