A new name will engraved on the Gerry Fagan Cup on Sunday when Cullyhanna take on Madden in the final of the Armagh SFC
In a club season that has already witnessed some remarkable shocks, twists and comebacks, Cullyhanna’s semi-final win over Crossmaglen will go down as one of 2025’s unlikeliest.
Even in Gaelic football’s new era when anything short of a double-digit lead is fragile, Cullyhanna’s recovery from being nine points down was nothing short of miraculous.
Stephen Reel has seen it before and recently. In their quarter-final, they were eight points down to St Peter’s before forcing extra-time and winning 3-17 to 0-19.
Their never-say-die attitude now has them on the brink of winning a first senior title as they face a Madden team also chasing their maiden victory at senior level.
“The big thing with us is we all talk about set plays and we all talk about game plans and tactics and what we are set up, but that’s only one bit of the game,” said Reel.
“These guys have serious character and it’s something you can’t coach. These guys have that in abundance, they’re just never beat and they love a challenge.
“We’re good at these comebacks, it’s not an ideal way to play, not a textbook way to play, but it’s a great trait to have. These guys have it, they know how to fight back games, they know how to win when their backs are against the wall.
“They’ve great character, they’ve great determination and they never know when they’re beat. They’ve been on a journey now for three, four, five years and it was a big rebuild originally, there’s no question about it. If you start to start and strip it down and build it up, that’s part of the things you need to bring with you.
“They’re a good group of players, they’ve been in a county Intermediate final, they won an Ulster final, they won an All-Ireland final, now they’re in a senior final in the space of two years. It’s been a good journey.”
The early part of their 2025 Championship journey involved starting off with a Group C clash with Madden in Cullyhanna.
The hosts came away with a hard-fought 1-13 to 0-15 win with defender Sean Óg Irwin scoring the vital goal in the second half.
Yet, Reel insists that game won’t have much bearing on Sunday’s decider as both teams were understrength for the Championship opener.
“Obviously, we played them in the first round of the Championship. I don’t think (Darragh) McMullen played that night, but you know their strengths and weaknesses. Yeah, it’s hard to tell,” said Reel.
“It was the first Championship game and maybe a lot of teams weren’t at it. It’s a long time ago in the grand scheme of seasons to be honest. We opened the Championship that night and we’re going to close it in the final.
“But look, a lot of stuff has happened since then. Players in and players out.
“I don’t think Jason Duffy or Caolan Reavey were playing that day against Madden. I think they might be missing a couple of others too.
“We know each other, but we wouldn’t read too much into that game. The county final will be a completely different match.”
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