The Orchard County begin their Division One campaign with a tough trip to Clones to face Ulster rivals Monaghan this weekend
The return to fitness of Blaine Hughes has created one more selection headache for Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney, but it is one he is happy to have going into the new season.
Hughes and Ethan Rafferty have competed for the number one jersey for the last number of years.
An ankle injury to Rafferty opened the door for Hughes to be number one in 2024 while the role was reversed for 2025 as Hughes suffered a torn cruciate in the All-Ireland final win over Galway.
Both ’keepers played one game in the Dr McKenna Cup and McGeaney insisted Rafferty’s outfield cameo against Down wasn’t a sign of things to come.
“No, we were just stuck for a bit of size (against Down),” stated McGeaney.
“There’s still good competition between him and Blaine so we’ll keep it that way.
“Blaine was away last year and we’ve got the two of them back. I suppose I’ve a very biased opinion, but they’ve been hard done by in the last couple of years with the All-Star thing.
“They are two two-class ’keepers and most of that has to go down to Chris McKinney (Armagh’s goalkeeping coach).
“For a while we had an issue with goalkeeping, but the two boys are pushing hard and that’s what I like. When someone’s trying to take your place, you tend to train a wee bit harder so I like that particular position.”
Sunday’s Division One opener against Monaghan is the first of four away games for the Orchard County in 2026.
They’ll also visit Roscommon, Mayo and Dublin in the coming weeks and welcome Galway, Donegal and holders Kerry to the Box-It Athletic Grounds.
A head-to-head victory over rivals Tyrone proved invaluable last season as Armagh avoided a swift return to Division Two and McGeaney knows the importance of making a positive start to the League campaign.
“Every match in Division One is big, it’s huge for momentum and I’m sure Monaghan will be targeting that one,” said McGeeney.
“They’ll have no fear of Armagh and it’s going to be on their home pitch. It’ll be a tough one, but I haven’t seen an easy one in Division One yet, or Division Two for that matter.
“You play each game, each time you get a point, it’s hard earned – you’ve seen last year.
“Depending on when you play some teams, you can have a big benefit in the outcome so it’s important for Armagh to try and stay competitive as possible and the best way to do that is to stay in Division One.
“It is a tough ask, we’ve a lot of changes this year and it’s an unforgiving place for young players. That’s just the beauty of it I suppose – they are going to be thrown into the deep end.”
Monaghan will be without their Scotstown contingent for Sunday’s game, including Rory Beggan, Ryan O’Toole and Micheál McCarville while Conor McCarthy and Jack McCarron are expected to miss most of the League campaign.
Rian O’Neill is not part of the Armagh squad this season while Niall Grimley has also opted off the panel for the foreseeable.
McGeeney is also currently without the likes of Aidan Forker, Barry McCambridge and Rory Grugan while Stefan ‘Soupy’ Campbell was among a host of Armagh players who called time on their county careers over the winter.
