All-Ireland SFC: First semi-final in 19 years means ‘everything’ to Armagh

Barry McCambridge says reaching a first All-Ireland semi-final since 2005 means “everything” to Armagh.

Armagh defeated Roscommon by 2-12 to 0-12 to reach their first last-four tie in 19 years.

McCambridge and Conor Turbitt netted against Roscommon, who were reduced to 14 men in the first half after Ruaidhri Fallon’s red card.

“It means everything to our team, the fans, the management, everyone,” McCambridge told GAAGO after the win.

Armagh last won the All-Ireland in 2002 when manager Kieran McGeeney was still the side’s captain.

The Orchard County lost in the quarter-finals in both 2022 and 2023, and missed out on the Ulster Championship title after losing to Donegal on penalties.

“Losing on penalties, losing any game is going to be tough. Especially, finals, quarter-finals and big games,” defender McCambridge said.

“You want to win and go to the next level. I’m glad we had a chance to do that and hopefully we can push on.”

Turbitt added that Armagh’s squad are “a resilient bunch” and are as close as they have ever been.

“It’s massive for us. The performance there wasn’t our best and we’ll not be happy with that,” the goalscorer told GAAGO.

“We’ve been here a number of times and played well and come away with nothing, so to get into a semi-final is where we want to be.

“Getting it over the line, that’s all it was.”

Both McCambridge and Turbitt dedicated the win to McGeeney, whose uncle Peter Kelly passed away on the eve of the match at Croke Park.

“After the last couple of days that Geezer [McGeeney] has had, it was important for us to do it for him,” McCambridge added.

“The whole team were all behind him for everything he has done.”