Rafferty happy to knuckle down in Armagh's bid to go back-to-back
In the reviews of Armagh and Clare's All-Ireland successes last year, the time they took off following provincial final defeats was hailed as revitalising.
Armagh had a couple of days socialising together after losing a second successive final on penalties, after which they dreamed it all up again and went on a six-game unbeaten run including five victories.
After another dramatic loss to Donegal last month, it would have been assumed they did the same again but Ethan Rafferty reveals the management opted against it.
'We didn't as much as we were pushing to get two days. Look, we all made an agreement that we would buckle down because what's on the horizon is probably bigger than it was last year so we knew we had a lot of work to do.
'We're getting used to it after three years,' he added of their Ulster final woes. 'It is tough, there's no point in saying it's not but the good thing about our group is we rallied the next day, met up, set out our stall and looked for things to work on.'
Attempting to become the third Ulster team to win back-to-back All-Irelands after Down in 1960 and '61 and Cavan in 1947 and '48 is obviously the carrot for Armagh. As the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals, they have worn their crown comfortably but Rafferty says they have taken a fresh approach to this season.
'We were obviously delighted that we won the championship last year. We're 2024 All-Ireland champions but we're playing the 2025 championship, so it's in the rearview mirror. We have to look forward and that's just been our thing this year, trying to see where we can improve and get better. You will get bumps on the road obviously like the Ulster final but we'll take this challenge against Galway and go headfirst into it.' Rafferty speaks of the bond in the group, whose age profile would be higher than most other inter-county outfits.
'There's a crew of us around the 30 mark and then you've a couple of the young boys too. We do interconnect a lot, do a lot of things outside of training and stuff together. We do have a good bunch.'
The fact Armagh have nothing tangible to fight for against Galway in Cavan tomorrow is the type of psychological test they will embrace, says the goalkeeper.
'I know it is comfortable for us in that sense but it's a good challenge for us in our mindset knowing that the game doesn't matter for us. We still have to try and get two points. That's the challenge for us.' It may have been a chance to give Blaine Hughes game-time but Rafferty has been named to start against Galway. If he does, he will be looking to improve his scoring tally of eight points for the championship, which include a couple of two-pointers. 'I just wish I could get up more in the game. The middle (halfway) line is a bit of an enemy for me at the minute.'
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