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Although it was just a fifth-round game in Division 1 of the Lidl National Football League, for Niamh Henderson, Armagh’s match against Kerry at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds on March 3 of this year held great significance.
Henderson, a key member of the Orchard County team that won the TG4 All-Ireland Intermediate Football Championship against Waterford in 2012, also secured NFL Division 3 and 2 titles with Armagh in 2014 and 2015. However, after undergoing two knee surgeries, she was away from competitive play for an extended period.
In the summer of 2018, Henderson gave birth to her son, Noah. She returned to club action with Clann Eireann but stayed away from inter-county play until rejoining the Armagh panel earlier this year. The March game against Kerry marked her first time wearing the Orchard jersey in nearly nine years, where she scored a point in a 3-14 to 1-13 victory over Kerry.
“I was nervous coming back for that Kerry game,” Henderson admitted. “It was a big game for us on our home pitch. I just told myself, ‘I need to be brave and try my best.’ I felt proud to wear the Armagh jersey.”
Reflecting on her time away, she said, “I took time off for my knee injury and then to have my son. He’s six now and at a great age. I’m delighted to wear the Armagh jersey and be a role model for him.”
“That game was significant for me, and I’ve been building confidence and gelling with the team since then. I’m delighted I decided to come back this year.”
After working with Greg McGonigle at Clann Eireann in 2023, Henderson, a special needs teacher is now under his guidance in the Armagh setup. Last year, she captained Clann to Armagh and Ulster championship titles and has added more silverware since her return to inter-county play.
Before her player-of-the-match performance in Armagh’s TG4 Ulster Senior Football Championship win over Donegal in May, Henderson played the full 60 minutes in April when Armagh claimed the Lidl National Football League Division 1 title against Kerry. This was her first time playing in Croke Park since the 2012 All-Ireland intermediate final, giving her another reason to cherish her return to inter-county football.
“It was a huge win for us, beating Kerry narrowly and playing in Croke Park was amazing. After winning the All-Ireland intermediate in 2012, I never thought I’d be back on that pitch,” Henderson said.
“I was absolutely delighted and overwhelmed. Lifting the cup in Croke Park with my son Noah is a moment I’ll treasure forever. I’m so happy I decided to come back.”
Clann Eireann is well-represented in the Armagh ladies squad, with eight players on the match day panel for the league final win. The men's team also has strong representation from Clann Eireann. Barry McCambridge, Tiernan Kelly, and Conor Turbitt were all in the starting lineup for Armagh’s All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-final win over Roscommon at Croke Park.
Henderson, whose older brother Ryan also played for Armagh, hopes to draw inspiration from Kieran McGeeney’s team as her own prepares for a quarter-final against Mayo.
“I watched the match in Croke Park and it gave me extra motivation to aim for the semi-final. Barry, Tiernan, and Conor are all from Clann Eireann and it was great to see them making an impact,” Henderson said. “Seeing them motivates us to do the same.”
After quarter-final defeats in the past three seasons, Armagh aims to reach the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-finals as they face Mayo at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds tomorrow evening 7 July with throw-in at 5.45pm.
As Group 1 winners in the Brendan Martin Cup, Armagh enjoys home advantage for the quarter-final against Liam McHale’s Mayo. However, Henderson remains cautious of Mayo’s strong record.
“Home advantage is big for us this weekend. We had to travel to Mayo for the league game, which is a long journey. We’re delighted to avoid that,” she added. “Mayo will be tough and physical, but if we bring our best performance, there’s no reason we can’t reach the semi-final.”
