Armagh made history recording their first ever Division 1 title securing a three point win over Kerry in the 2024 Lidl NFL Division 1 decider.

Tough to separate these two at the break, Niamh Ní Chonchuir struck a vital goal for Kerry early in the second half but 1-4 from Aimee Mackin proved pivotal to Armagh getting over the line in that second half. 

A big moment for Armagh who have battled hard to get back to Division 1 they enjoyed their day in the Sunshine and a well deserved win as they managed the game well in the final minutes to overcome Kerry.

It was cagey early on between these two as Kelly Mallon and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh exchanged early frees. Aoife McCoy had Armagh ahead once again but no sooner had the point gone over Lorraine Scanlon rippled the Armagh net and Kerry were ahead 1-1 to 0-2.

Armagh started to find their rhythm as the opening quarter came to a close, Kelly Mallon cut the gap to a point with a free before Niamh Coleman shot into the Kerry net to turn the tie on its head. 

Mallon slotted another free to put Armagh ahead 1-4 to 1-1 but they failed to add to this in the opening half. Ní Mhuircheartaigh with three points, two coming from frees, helped tie the game at the interval.

Into the second half and again Mallon like clockwork was able to nudge Armagh into the lead. Then an error in the Armagh backline allowed Kerry to net their second goal. Clodagh McCambridge put too much on a pass to her net minder Anna Carr, Mary O’Connell pounced on the ball and slipped a pass to Niamh Ni Chonchuir who blasted to the empty net, 2-4 to 1-5 in favour of Kerry.

Whatever about waking a sleeping giant, that certainly woke up Aimee Mackin to hit a purple patch in the third quarter. Striking 1-3 while Niamh Henderson also found a point as Armagh moved ahead 2-9 to 2-4. Mackin with a rocket of a strike just under Mary Ellen Bolgers crossbar to give Armagh a healthy cushion in the blink of an eye.

Mackin furthered the Armagh lead with another point but two fine stops by Mary Ellen Bolger prevented Kerry conceding further goals, Mackin and Lauren McConville denied at point blank range.

The Kingdom fought back as Ní Mhuircheartaigh struck two points and an effort from Hannah O’Donoghue brought the deficit down to three points with eight minutes left in the tie. 

Mallon and Mackin struck late points to give them that cushion in the final minutes as they held Kerry scoreless in those final minutes. Division 1 silverware for Armagh, they will be red hot for the Senior Championship this year.