Club focus: Armagh City

Not only did they lift the Belfast Telegraph Championship Two title, they also reached the final of the Intermediate Cup and knocked Premiership Ards out of the Irish Cup.

Armagh came within a whisker of reaching the quarter-finals of the famous old competition, losing 2-1 to giants Glentoran in a sixth round replay.

After a year of glory, many believed the Eagles would have no difficulties in adjusting to life in Championship One. However, the Holm Park club have spent most of the season near the bottom of the table.

City now find themselves locked in an exciting relegation battle with Ballyclare Comrades, Donegal Celtic, Dundela, Loughgall and fellow new-boys PSNI.

Reflecting on their season so far, manager Marty Rice said: “We started quite slowly, so we've been playing catch-up. Our main problem has been that we've been missing key players due to injury. For example, Eamonn Kelly picked up an injury playing for the Regions Cup squad and we've been without him ever since, and he's a key player for us.

"I remain confident that we can go on a good run of form once we have got all our players back and fully fit, and hopefully climb the table.

“Two wins in a row can take you up several places in this division. The flip side is, two defeats can see you slip back down again.”

Rice believes that the Belfast Telegraph Championship One is a highly competitive division, with both the promotion and the relegation battle set to go to the wire.

“I've only been at this level for one season but other managers have told me that they believe this is the most competitive the Championship has ever been. I think the top seven teams are all great teams, but there's not much between the other seven. Nobody has got cut adrift at the bottom, which tells you something.

“With all due respect to Championship Two, there's a massive jump in standard between the two divisions. I think the top four or five Championship Two teams could compete in Championship One, but after that, there's a gap in standard.

“I think the big difference is the intensity. In Championship One, you are playing a top side every week. If you play poorly, you won't get anything from the game.”

Like most managers, Rice has strengthened his squad during the January transfer window. He snapped up Glenavon teenager Andrew Hoey and experienced forward Marty Havern from Warrenpoint Town.

Rice said: “We brought Marty in because he has scored goals at this level before for both Newry City and Warrenpoint Town, and we hope he can do the same for us. I think we've relied too heavily on Stephen Murray for goals at times.

“Andrew Hoey is somebody we know well, as he played for our youth teams until he was 15. He's a talented lad and we're delighted to have him back at the club.

“At this moment in time, I don't think we will be doing any more business. I'm happy with my squad and I think we can put a good run of form together. We're not too far away at the moment.”

Armagh City play Lisburn Distillery next Saturday at Holm Park.

Club : Armagh City

Division : Belfast Telegraph Championship One

Ground : Holm Park

Manager : Martin Rice