1st XV News
 
ARFC Membership 12/13 Season - Pay Online NOW 01 Sept 2012

Subcriptions WERE due on 01st August and Club Rules state that players whose subscriptions are unpaid, by 01st October, will not be selected.

To pay for membership online simply click on the "Pay Online" link. You will then be transferred our Membership page which will allow you to pay securely via Paypal.  PAY ONLINE
 
 
City of Armagh (64) vs Connemara (10) 13 April 2013

City of Armagh Armagh played their final fixture of the 2012-13 season when they entertained Connemara on the Palace Grounds on Saturday afternoon. Having lost out to Ards & Rainey in their last two League games Armagh had dropped from a respectable fourth spot down to a seventh position! Connemara, however, had won only four league points all season and had resigned themselves to relegation prior to the long journey from...  View Report
 
 
City of Armagh (08) vs Rainey OB (34) 06 April 2013

Saturday saw City of Armagh entertain old rivals Rainey to the Palace Grounds to play their penultimate All Ireland fixture in the Ulster Bank League. To date Armagh had consolidated their top half league position all season but their defeat, last week, to second bottom placed Ards indicated that the local side had lost a certain sparkle to their performances. Rainey, on the other hand, had topped the league all season and made no secret that a victory result from Saturday’s visit to Armagh would secure promotion...  View Report
 
 
Instonians (08) vs City of Armagh (38) 09 Mar 2013

What a difference a week makes! Last Saturday Ciyt of Armagh played their fixture against Thomond RFC in almost perfect conditions on a hard, dry, pitch surrounded by a galvanised stockade in a socially deprived area of Limerick.

The heroes who run Thomond RFC have to be congratulated for putting out a very gritty side in what must be the most challenging conditions seen in Irish Club Rugby! Saturday’s match against Instonians, however, was played in what can only be described at best as filthy conditions! The glorious...  View Report
 
 
Thomond (12) vs City of Armagh (20) 02 Mar 2013

Limerick – A witty poem, with a strict rhythm scheme with humorous intent.

Another definition, however, is a Munster city of 91,000 populations which currently supports no less than 14 rugby clubs.

Armagh visited one of these honoured clubs, Thomond RFC, on Saturday to play their fixture in the Ulster Bank All-Ireland league. Anyone who has played, supported or just watched their televisions has heard of Thomond. That would, no doubt, have referred to the home of the European champions and Irish provincial side, Munster.

Their enormous, iconic stadium...  View Report
 
 
City of Armagh (28) vs Naas (13) 23 Feb 2013

City of Armagh were still reeling from their narrow defeat at the hands of Barnhall last Saturday. Naas whilst lying second in the Ulster Bank League promised to be tight opposition. The Leinster side were, apparently, able to field two Samoan international players in the no. 8 & no. 13 positions. At the kick-off the conditions were cold at 2 degrees, dry and a complete absence of wind. All was set for both sides...  View Report
 
 
City of Armagh (13) vs Barnhall (19) 16 Feb 2013

The only side to genuinely dominate City of Armagh last season was Barnhall when they travelled into Leinster to play on the university grounds in Maynooth.

Virtually a solid week’s rain had rendered the Palace .rounds sticky but playable. Prior to the fixture Barnhall topped the league’s scoring tally with 329 points.

On the other hand, Armagh’s excellent defensive record indicated that they had only ley 99 points pass them to date! City of Armagh kicked off with a slight breeze at their backs from the Palace end. Within two minutes play Barnhall knocked-on  View Report
 
 
City of Armagh (18) vs Rainey (23) 09 Feb 2013

Saturday’s game in the Ulster Senior League with Rainey was never going to produce pretty rugby. Due to the previous week’s continuous rain the game had been relegated to the Third Fifteen’s pitch as both the other club pitches were being quarantined in an effort to preserve them from damage. With next week’s AIL fixture in mind it was considered imperative...  View Report
 
 
City of Armagh (17) vs Nenagh Ormond (06) 26 Jan 2013

Last season City of Armagh 1XV managed to defeat Nenagh, albeit narrowly, when they played in New Ormond Park. That 14-8 victory bore no relevance to Saturday’s fixture and with Nenagh sitting ahead of Armagh in the Ulster Bank All Ireland League the chat throughout the home team was that they were home...  View Report
 
 
Suttonians (10) vs City of Armagh (19) 19 Jan 2013

City of Armagh travelled to north Dublin to play their eighth fixture in the Ulster Bank All Ireland League. The game was in jeopardy due to the weather conditions on the preceding forty eight hours. All credit has to go to the diligence of the Suttonians ground staff who, with the help from the local fire service had pumped, over four inches of flood water off the playing surface. The pitch...  View Report
 
 
Ards (14) vs City of Armagh (19) 12 Jan 2013

There was an uneasy feeling of apprehension travelling around the City of Armagh supporters prior to Saturday’s kick-off. Although Ards had yet to win a game in the Ulster Senior League, there was a suspicion that this could prove to be a ‘banana skin’ on which Armagh could trip! Despite the fact that the last time Armagh played at Hamilton Park in season 1997-98 and were defeated by 40 odd points there...  View Report
 
 
Dungannon (17) vs City of Armagh (30) 29 Dec 2012

Saturday saw City of Armagh make the short trip to Dungannon to play their eighth fixture in the Ulster Senior League. Having defeated Ballymena 9-16 in the League last Saturday Armagh were in good spirits and were seen to be hungry for league points. Having defeated Dungannon in the fixture last season Dungannon were keen to put on a good show in front of their home crowd. The fixture had been arranged for the second’s from each club to play with an early kick-off. Armagh seconds had narrowly defeated Dungannon 16-18 which left the Armagh senior side...  View Report
 
 
Ballymena (09) vs City of Armagh (22) 22 Dec 2012

Having not played last week Ciyt of Armagh made the journey to Ballymena for this Ulster league fixture. Ballymena on the other hand were buoyed by their recent senior cup final win against Rainey and clearly were going into this game as firm favourites. The game kicked off with the threat of rain from the dark overcast conditions although the playing surface was in remarkably good condition considering the rain that fell earlier in the day...  View Report
 
 
Boyne (14) vs. City of Armagh (12) 08 Dec 2012

Following last week’s narrow home victory over Navan, City of Armagh were keen to reassert their top half league position when they travelled back into Leinster to meet Boyne. Last year this was, indeed, a memorable fixture with Boyne coming out just ahead by a couple of points. All the pre-match warm up briefing emphasised that Andrew Hughes’s side were adamant that they were not going to be bullied off their game in this confrontation! Bearing this in mind the Boyne tem had a formidable record and they had not achieved their five league wins without...  View Report
 
 
City of Armagh (17) vs Navan (10) 01 Dec 2012

Still reeling after their 19-10 defeat at the hands of Skerries two weeks ago City of Armagh were resolute in their quest to re-establish their winning form. Navan had formed a very strong reputation this season. Especially having defeated a strong Nenagh Ormond side 22-16 two weeks previously they were certainly not going to be a pushover. The sheer size of the pack as they warmed up was enough to strike fear into the bravest opposition...  View Report
 
 
Skerries (19) vs. City of Armagh (10) 17 MoVember 2012

City of Armagh’s first venture on Saturday into Leinster in the Ulster Bank All –Ireland League saw them narrowly yet convincingly defeated 19-10 by a very well coached Skerries side. After a strong display against Sligo and Instonians the Armagh side were inching up the 2B league table. The Skerries side...  View Report
 
 
City of Armagh (45) vs Instonians (20) 03 MoVember 2012

City of Armagh approached this All-Ireland League fixture with a degree of trepidation and uncertainty.

The Instonians club has, historically, always been one of the strongest in Ulster club rugby. Indeed, Armagh played Instonians last season in the Ulster Senior League and leaked three tries in three second half to loose out o the Belfast team. It has been rumoured that the las time Armagh defeated Instonians in a league fixture as when the games were played on the Mall in 1973!

Saturday’s game...  View Report
 
 
Sligo XV (0) vs. City of Armagh XV (24) 27 Oct 2012

Saturday’s long trek into Connacht to play Sligo was always going to present a strong challenge to the City of Armagh team. Season 2010-11 saw Armagh make the same journey to be defeated in the semi-final of the All Ireland Junior Cup. Last season saw Sligo play Armagh in the Palace Grounds when half time saw Armagh 21-3 ahead only to see Sligo fight back to narrow the score down to 21-19 at the final whistle! Essentially the special challenge presented by these two teams promised a thrilling encounter...  View Report
 
 
City of Derry XV (22) vs. City of Armagh XV (17) 20 Oct 2012

Yet again City of Armagh were scheduled to play City of Derry in the Ulster Senior cup only on this occasion they had to make the long trek to Judges Road. There was a degree of trepidation in the ranks of the Armagh supporters after last week’s performance with the added difficulty of facing a full strength home side.

The game kicked off in near perfect conditions but yet again Armagh failed to field the ball resulting in a scrum to the home side and Armagh immediately putting themselves under unnecessary pressure. The first 8 minutes belonged to the Derry side with Armagh defending stoically and putting in some big...  View Report
 
 
City of Armagh (06) vs City of Derry (25) 13 Oct 2012

City of Armagh entertained City of Derry on Saturday afternoon in the Ulster Senior League. Derry have asserted their exceptional form by topping this league. With tis record in the background it was never going to be an easy fixture for the Armagh side.

Although they had harvested confidence from their convincing win, last Saturday, against Sundays Well and Derry were smarting after their resounding defeat...  View Report
 
 
City of Armagh (45) vs Sunday's Well (07) 06 Oct 2012

After last Saturday’s lacklustre performance when Armagh drew 13-13 following the long journey into deepest Munster to play Clonakilty, City of Armagh were keen to restore their early season record when they illustrated their form by beating Ballynahinch.

The local side was scheduled to play Sundays Well from Cork on Saturday in the Ulster Bank All Ireland League.

Last season Armagh suffered a 9-6 defeat when they met this side in Cork so they had targeted this fixture to earn at least a home win! In an effort to raise the sense of occasion...  View Report
 
 
Clonakilty (13) vs City of Armagh (13) 29 Sept 2012

Saturday saw City of Armagh make the long, 280 mile, trip into deepest West Cork to play their first game in the 2012-13 Ulster Bank All-Ireland League.

Clonakilty suffered relegation from section 2A at the end of last season and made no secret that, from the kick-off, they were keen to make their mark on this game. The playing surface was in fantastic condition and with a slight breeze at their backs the home team kicked off. As the...  View Report
 
 
City of Armagh (22) vs Banbridge (36) 22 Sept 2012

Saturday was always going to be a very difficult day for Ulster rugby. With the whole country still reeling from the Spence tragedy The Palace Grounds, understandably, offered no escape from the feelings of remorse.

To witness both the first and second fifteen players line up with their opposition and match officials is a sight not easily forgotten. The dignity of the occasion was reflected by...  View Report
 
 
City of Armagh (13) vs Malone (24) 15 Sept 2012

Saturday afternoon saw City of Armagh entertain Malone at the Palace grounds in their fourth game in The Ulster Senior League. Having narrowly defeated Ballynahinch 16-15 on Wednesday evening the team were still feeling somewhat battle weary.

Every player knew that this was to be a monumental test of rigour as Malone’s reputation throughout Ulster Rugby for their robust but fair style of game. Armagh kicked off in perfect conditions with a light breeze at their backs and immediately Malone launched an attack on the left wing.

Armagh strayed off side and were penalized with James Morton also being shown a yellow card...  View Report
 
 
Ballynahinch (15) vs City of Armagh (16) 12 Sept 2012

HISTORIC WIN FOR CITY OF ARMAGH IN ULSTER SENIOR LEAGUE

City of Armagh First Fifteen travelled to play Ballynahinch for a mid-week Ulster Senior League fixture and turned in a tremendous performance to record their first ever victory over the home club in seventeen years.

On a cool, dry evening, Armagh...  View Report
 
 
City of Armagh (30) vs Ards (07) 08 Sept 2012

Saturday saw City of Armagh entertain Ards at the Palace Grounds in the first round of the 2012-13 Senior Cup tournament. This fixture was a carbon copy when Ards travelled to Armagh to pay the identical fixture last season.

Twelve months ago the home team won a fairly easy victory but as everyone knows nothing could be taken for granted in this game! Armagh kicked off in absolute perfect conditions with the scoreboard showing 25 degrees with no wind to affect the game. Out-half Richard Reaney put the ball deep into the Ards five metre area which was collected by James Morton...  View Report
 
 
City of Armagh (22) vs Queens (33) 01 Sept 2012

Saturday saw City of Armagh entertain Queens University at The Palace Grounds in their second game in the 2012-13 Ulster Senior League. Having secured last week’s 3-8 victory at Belfast Harlequins Armagh were prepared for a stiff game against Queens.

The playing conditions were perfect at the kick off which saw Armagh face a fresh breeze but with the score–board showing indicating 20 degrees the afternoon favoured open rugby. Sure enough, Armagh launched attack after attack and were...  View Report
 
 
Belfast Harlequins (0) vs City of Armagh (08) 25 Aug 2012

City of Armagh launched their 2012-13 season with a trip to Deramore Park to play Belfast Harlequins in the Ulster Senior League. Last season saw Armagh beat Harlequins when they travelled to The Palace Grounds. To repeat this result, with an early season away fixture, however, posed a significant hurdle, selection wise, especially since the Armagh squad was weakened due...  View Report
 
 
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