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Armagh Legend Makes Bold Walsh-Clifford Claim Ahead Of All-Ireland Final

Armagh Legend Makes Bold Walsh-Clifford Claim Ahead Of All-Ireland Final
Eoin Harrington
By Eoin Harrington Updated
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The county of Armagh is in the grips of All-Ireland fever, as they prepare for their first final since 2003.

Kieran McGeeney captained the county to their only Sam Maguire triumph in 2002, and he has now led them back to the decider at last thanks to a memorable semi-final victory over Kerry.

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They will face Galway in Croke Park on Sunday, with the counties set to meet for the fourth time in just three years of All-Ireland competition.

The results have been very tight across their previous three meetings, with Galway winning on penalties in the 2022 All-Ireland quarter-final before Armagh claimed a one-point victory in last year's round-robin clash.

When the pair met again in the round-robin earlier this year, nothing could separate them, making Sunday's match-up very tough to call.

Armagh legend Ronan Clarke appeared on this week's episode of BBC's GAA Social to look ahead to the final with former Armagh teammate Oisín McConville.

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The 2002 Young Footballer of the Year shared his fear that Armagh may find an entirely different test from Galway's Shane Walsh than they did from David Clifford in the semi-final.

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Ronan Clarke fears Armagh will find Shane Walsh harder to handle than David Clifford

David Clifford Armagh

13 July 2024; David Clifford of Kerry during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

One of the most impressive elements of Armagh's semi-final victory over Kerry was their stifling of David Clifford. The back-to-back Footballer of the Year was kept relatively quiet in Croke Park, as were most of the Kingdom's forward line.

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The Galway forward line will nonetheless be a daunting prospect for Armagh to deal with in HQ on Sunday, and Ronan Clarke thinks that they could be a step up from Kerry's.

Speaking on the GAA Social, Clarke said that Shane Walsh in particular offers a completely different threat to Kerry's main talisman, and that he could be the difference maker in Croker.

I think they're very evenly matched teams. Me and Oisín were talkng about this, it depends on the day. In saying that, Armagh will be coming up against a forward line that I think they know.

The Kerry game played a bit into Armagh's hands, I think.

Comer's probably going to get a bit fitter, Walsh...his movement off the ball - he's a totally different player to Clifford.

What a player Clifford is, don't get me wrong with that, but Walsh is totally different. He's very evasive, he gets on the end of balls, he's quality, he takes people into the game and doesn't try to do it all himself.

Whereas I think, with Clifford, sometimes it's just a one-man [show]. He tries to do it for them the whole time.

That's huge pressure on the young man's shoulders - but [he's] a phenomenal footballer, don't get me wrong, it's been a pleasure watching him over the years.

Walsh has managed a mighty 0-16 across his last three meetings with Armagh, and the Orchard County know they will have a serious test on their hands to keep the Galway star under wraps on Sunday.

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The 2022 All-Ireland final was defined by the brilliance of Walsh and Clifford as they battled it out for supremacy at Croke Park. Though Walsh would outscore his counterpart by 0-09 to 0-08 on the day, it was Clifford and Kerry who walked away with Sam Maguire that day.

If Shane Walsh is at his best on Sunday, he could well get his hands on the trophy at last.

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