'Armagh are still a small step ahead of Donegal' - Orchard legend Steven McDonnell

From the All-Ireland semi-final defeat in 2003 to the nightmare in Crossmaglen in 2010, the ‘flying doctor’ episode in 2014 and the melee in O’Donnell Park in 2022, Donegal and Armagh always carries real niggle.

In fact, between 2002-’07, these Ulster giants clashed on seven occasions in the championship, but apart from a last-minute goal courtesy of Brendan Devenney in 2007 that stole victory for Donegal, and a nip-and-tuck draw in 2005, the results only went one way.

Even as far back as 2002, these matches could even steal the headlines off the field. As told in Niall McCoy’s 2022 book ‘Kings for a Day’, Donegal, playing in their first Ulster final since ‘98 were hit with a serious setback when the starting position of star forward Devenney was under threat, but for far more serious reasons.

“I was in a van that flipped into a field. It takes a lot to scare me, but it shook me up more than I realised. I had two cracked ribs, which I didn’t tell anyone about – not that Armagh would’ve taken advantage of that,” joked Devenney.

Despite a goal from Jim McGuinness 10 minutes from time to leave the score 1-11 to 1-9 in favour of Armagh, a last shot from Steven McDonnell was enough to clinch the Ulster title for the Orchard County that day.

And so began a series of Donegal heartbreaks throughout the noughties caused mainly by one side.

“There’s no doubt that Donegal was more than capable of giving us a good game back in the day. We as a team always knew we’d get nothing easy when we’d play them,” McDonnell told DonegalLive.

“Our strategy back then when playing Donegal was to always get off to a good start.

“If we gave Donegal hope early on that they could stay with us, we knew we’d be in for a tight battle. So, it was always about knocking their confidence early.

“That was a fantastic Donegal team. I mean they beat Tyrone once or twice when they were really in their pomp, so we never underestimated Donegal for one second.

“I know they drew with us once and beat us once, and bar maybe one game where we won quite comfortably, our games were always tight affairs, luckily back then we always had the upper hand, I still love the rivalry, with neither team giving each other an inch.”

And so that leads to Sunday’s match where McGuinness’s side will face Armagh in the fourth round of their Allianz Division 2 campaign this Sunday in the Athletic Grounds.

“I think before the league even started you would’ve said that it would be Donegal and Armagh who were the two teams that would be getting promoted,” said the three-time All-Star.

“I think Donegal has responded really well with Jim coming back. It all seems really positive, then on top of that they have some real quality players, and when you have that, there’s always going to be a chance.

“Armagh are no different. I think like McGuinness, Kieran (McGeeney) is mixing a lot of experience with some young players that are getting their chance.

“I still think, unless there’s a massive downfall, it’s still going to be Donegal and Armagh as the two front runners who will be pushing for promotion.”

With both sides suffering relegation last season, it has not stopped their stride on returning to the top tier, and with legendary figure McGeeney now in his tenth season as manager with Armagh, McDonnell believes the time is right now for them to push on and challenge with the best teams in the country.

“Armagh has been very unlucky the past few seasons. Everyone has Derry as the frontrunner to win the All-Ireland this year, but Armagh were only within a kick of a ball from beating them last year in the Ulster final, so, does that knock Armagh off the radar a bit? I think teams shouldn’t underestimate them as quick,” the Armagh legend said.

“I think they’re not far away from competing with the top teams in Ireland, they just need to be a bit more consistent when they’re playing in those big matches.

“Donegal is the same, it’s fine beating teams that you’re expected to beat, it’s what you do when you play in the big games. That’s where people get to see what you’re made of.

“Donegal and Armagh have always been tight games. In the last decade, Donegal always had the upper hand, but there’s been nothing between them since and that’s why it’s going to be such an exciting game.”

But in terms of this Sunday’s affair, McDonnell backs his native county to win saying that McGeeney’s side are just that bit further ahead on their journey while McGuinness is only starting his.

“I don’t want to put my foot in it, but I think Armagh are just that small step ahead of Donegal at the minute,” said McDonnell.

“It’s only a small edge though. I think Armagh are further ahead on their journey. Things have not worked out for them in the past two years, but it’s coming.

“For McGuinness and his side, they’re just starting out on their journey. This is going to be Jim’s first real test as manager this year. But to be fair Jim seems to have all his ducks in a row. They’re scoring heavily in matches, players are getting forward and they’re causing trouble.

“Like the chip goal that Daire Ó Baoill got against Fermanagh was brilliant. I love seeing players try those things out, and Jim is obviously encouraging his players to take risks in matches and it’s working for them.”

With both teams gunning for the top spot in Division 2 and looking to end their opponents' undefeated rivalry, no doubt Sunday will serve up another portion of this famous Ulster rivalry.