At the time of writing, Newry is festooned in orange and white. Clanrye, the county river which divides Down from Armagh has been breached.

Everywhere there are ‘MAGA’ signs - perhaps confusing for American tourists but down here it stands for ‘Make Armagh Great Again’.

Whatever the outcome, Kieran McGeeney, his team and Armagh fans have endured their Gethsemane and have come through to both the agony and ecstasy of an All-Ireland final.

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All-Ireland finals in hurling and football are passionate affairs and watching the hurling climax last week between Cork and Clare made the hairs on the back my neck bristle with excitement and pride.

Loyalist opposition to the GAA and ‘Irish’ culture has much to do with a losers’ psyche, built by successive leaders of unionism - Tom........

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