It may have only been a Lidl League division one fifth round game, but for Niamh Henderson, Armagh’s clash with Kerry at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds on March 3rd was one of major significance.
A part of the Orchard County side that secured the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate crown with victory over Waterford in 2012; also winning NFL Division 3 and 2 titles with Armagh in 2014 and 2015.
However, subsequent two operations on her knee, Henderson ended up away from competitive fare for an extended period.
The summer of 2018 saw Henderson give birth to her son Noah. Although returning to club action with Clann Eireann, Henderson was enticed back to inter-county action earlier this year.
The March visit of Kerry to the Athletic Grounds saw her don the Orchard jersey for the first time in almost nine years. A point from full-forward in a 3-14 to 1-13 success an added bonus.
“I have to say, I was nervous coming back in that Kerry game” Henderson revealed. “Obviously it was a big game for us and it was on our home pitch.
“I just said to myself ‘I need to be brave and just go out and try my best’. Be proud to wear the Armagh jersey,” Henderson explained.
“Obviously I took that time out that I had hurt my knee and then I had my wee boy. He’s six now, so he’s just at a really good age”.
“I’m just delighted that I can wear the Armagh jersey and also be a role model for him”.
Back in the Orchard county jersey
“That was a big day for me and I think I’ve just continued to build from that. Get a bit more confident within the team and just gelling with the girls a bit more. It’s going well so far and I’m delighted that I made that decision to come back this year”.
After being managed by Greg McGonigle at local level with Clann Eireann in 2023; Henderson now finds herself under the guidance of his with Armagh.
Success with the former Monaghan and Dublin boss, saw Henderson captain Clann to Armagh and Ulster championship titles last year.
Before producing a player-of-the-match display in Armagh’s TG4 Ulster SFC triumph over Donegal in May; Henderson played the full 60-minutes a month earlier when Armagh claimed an historic Lidl League Division 1 crown over Kerry.
This was her first time playing in Croke Park since that All-Ireland intermediate final victory of 2012. It provided Henderson with another reason to be grateful for her second coming as an inter-county star.
“It was such a big win for us” smiled Henderson. “Thankfully we were able to beat Kerry narrowly, then having that match in Croke Park was just amazing”.
“When we won the All-Ireland intermediate in 2012 with Armagh, I never thought I’d be back on that Croke Park pitch”.
“I was just absolutely delighted and overwhelmed. For Noah and I and my wee boy, to be able to lift the cup in Croke Park together is a moment I will treasure forever. I’m so happy that I did make that decision to come back.”
Although Clann Eireann are well represented within the ranks of the Armagh ladies squad (eight in the match day panel for their league final win), the same is true with their male counterparts.
Family in arms
When the Armagh men overcame Roscommon in an All-Ireland SFC quarter-final at Croke Park last Saturday, the Clann triumvirate of Barry McCambridge (brother of ladies captain Clodagh McCambridge), Tiernan Kelly and Conor Turbitt were all included in their starting line-up.
Given her own team has a quarter-final date with Mayo to look forward to this weekend; Henderson, (whose older brother Ryan played with Armagh in the past) is hoping to take plenty of inspiration from the exploits of Kieran McGeeney’s charges.
“I was down watching the match in Croke Park at the weekend. I’m glad I went down because it just gave me that wee bit extra motivation to be like ‘right, let’s go this weekend and do the same thing, get to the semi-final’”.
“It was great to see them boys really breaking into the team this year and making such an impact”.
“Obviously Barry got his goal and got player-of-the-match. Then Turbo and TK have been causing havoc as well. It is great to be able to go down and watch them and that gives us motivation to go and do the same thing.”
Mayo and an All-Ireland semi-final return
Following quarter-final defeats in each of the past three seasons. Armagh aim for a return to the last-four of the TG4 All-Ireland SFC when they take on Mayo at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds tomorrow evening (throw-in 5.45pm).
As a result of finishing at the summit of Group 1 in the Brendan Martin Cup, the Orchard women have been granted home advantage for their last-eight duel with Liam McHale’s westerners.
Whilst she is hopeful this can work in their favour; Armagh have reason to be wary of a Mayo side who are seeking a fourth semi-final spot in as many years.
“The home advantage is a really big advantage for us this weekend” explained Henderson. “Obviously we travelled to Mayo in the league game and it’s a right wee bit away”.
“We know that it will be a hard-hitting, physical game because Mayo are that type of team. They’ll not back down easily and they’ll put it up to us. I think if we bring our ‘A’ game and our best performance and play the way we have been playing at times and reach our potential, then there’s no reason why we can’t get to the semi-final.”
