Armagh and Westmeath set for Championship Clash
Armagh and Westmeath are preparing to go head-to-head in a thrilling Championship fixture, marking only the third time the two teams have met in the Championship. The previous clashes occurred in successive years, with Armagh emerging victorious both times during the All-Ireland qualifiers in 2017 and 2018. As anticipation builds for this upcoming clash, both teams have proven their capabilities throughout the 2023 Championship. .
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Armagh’s Journey to The Clash
Armagh’s road to the match has been an eventful one, beginning with a convincing victory over Antrim in the Ulster preliminary round, where they secured a 0-20 to 1-8 scoreline. Building on their success, they beat Cavan in the Ulster quarter-final, with a final score of 1-14 to 0-12. In the Ulster semi-final, Armagh’s prowess shone as they dominated Down with a dominating scoreline of 4-10 to 0-12. However, they experienced a setback in the Ulster final where they were beaten by Derry in a close battle that ended in a draw, ultimately resulting in a 3–1 penalty loss for Armagh.
Key scorers for Armagh
Throughout their championship journey, a number of players have been instrumental in Armagh’s scoring efforts. Conor Turbitt leads the team’s scoring charts with an impressive 0-15 record, including free kicks and one mark. Rian O’Neill has also made significant contributions, recording 1-6, consisting of free kicks and a ’45’. Rory Grugan has proven to be a reliable free taker, going 0-7, while Shane McPartlan and Andrew Murnin have shown their scoring prowess at 1-5 and 1-2 respectively.
Westmeath’s performance before the clash
On the other hand, Westmeath’s journey to the fixture has seen them take on Louth in the Leinster quarter-final. They put up a spirited fight but came up short as Louth secured a 2-10 to 1-11 victory. Most notably, Westmeath’s fourth-place finish in Division 3 this year earned them a place in the All-Ireland series, building on their success in the Tailteann Cup the previous year.
Westmeath key scorers
Ronan O’Toole has been the standout scorer for Westmeath, contributing 1-1 to the team’s cause. John Heslin and Luke Loughlin have also been crucial in their scoring efforts, going 0-3 each, with Heslin’s points coming from free throws. Senan Baker has contributed to the 0-2.
Previous championship meetings
Armagh has the advantage in the history of championship meetings between the two teams. In their previous clashes, Armagh emerged victorious in both cases. In 2018 Armagh dominated with a convincing 3-16 to 1-11 victory, while in 2017 they secured a 1-12 to 1-7 victory.
Battle Hardened Armagh
Armagh’s extensive provincial campaign, spanning four games, highlights their stamina and determination throughout the Championship. This places them as the municipality with the highest number of provincial games this year. Westmeath’s qualification for the All-Ireland series stems from their successful performance at the Tailteann Cup last year, where they demonstrated their ability to compete at a high level.
starting teams
Prediction and betting odds
Expect Armagh to win by at least seven points, the bookies expect Armagh to win by 8 points. They are 1/12 to win the match with Westmeath at 8/1.
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