CHARLIE’S GOT HOTS FOR LEAGUE
Vernon loves the new NFL structure
FOR the GAA’S fixture makers it was one long headache from start to finish, but Armagh defender Charlie Vernon says this year’s league was one of the best he’s ever played in.
The bad weather caused postponements galore and put an already packed programme under severe pressure, but the experienced Orchard fullback has given the condensed structure a big thumbs-up.
“I found it more enjoyable because the training-to-games ratio definitely increased, and that was always a criticism in the past,” Vernon claimed.
“There was not the same level of hanging about waiting on the next game.
“Most players, if you asked them, will pick a match over training any day of the week and if you have a poor performance, you have the chance to rectify it next week.
“The only downside is if you pick up an injury you have less turnaround time and might miss key games you would otherwise have played in.
“But it’s more akin to soccer where you do your pre-season and then have games on a weekly basis to look forward to as opposed to long breaks in between, so definitely I found that a positive from a playing point of view.”
Armagh take on Fermanagh in tomorrow’s Division Three final in Croke Park – the second of three games between them.
Looking further ahead, Armagh would love to make the inaugural ‘Super 8s’ especially as last year’s All-ireland quarter-final ended in an 18-point thrashing by Tyrone (right).
Tomorrow’s league final is their biggest game since that 3-17 to 0-8 hammering, and a chance to make amends for the no-show on the national stage.
“We were very disappointed with the manner of the defeat, and felt we left our performance behind us,” admitted Vernon.
“We didn’t really compete as well as we thought we could, and that’s disappointing any time it happens.
“Nobody goes to Croke Park not wanting to give your best so it would be nice to turn up and finish the league on a positive note.
It’s the same for
Fermanagh.
“If Armagh got there (Super 8s) it would be a successful season, definitely.
“Coming from Division Three this year there will be a lot of teams competing to get into that bracket.
“Getting to that level is something to aspire to.”
Kieran Mcgeeney’s Armagh side drew 0-7 with Fermanagh a few weeks ago in Enniskillen and the Ulster rivals also meet in the provincial Championship opener on May 19.
While admitting it’s “not ideal” to be playing the Erne men again so close to the Championship, Vernon has been around long enough to not get too distracted by that.
“You have to get your own house in order before you start worrying about the opposition.
“Yes, the opposition comes into it and people will say it’s not ideal to play them before the Championship, but Fermanagh are in the same boat.
“We’re just trying to finish the league on a positive note and maybe win a bit of silverware as well.”