Armagh's McKay hoping it's third time lucky in Ulster

Aaron McKay celebrates Armagh's only goal in their All-Ireland final win over Galway.

All-Ireland winning defender Aaron McKay believes it'll be "third time lucky" for Armagh when they face Donegal in Saturday's Ulster final.

Despite winning their second All-Ireland title last year, the Orchard County have not lifted the Anglo Celt Cup since 2008, losing the 2023 final to Derry and last year's decider to Donegal in a penalty shootout.

But McKay is hopeful that Armagh can turn the tide this year and finally get over the line.

"It's definitely been too long for us. I suppose growing up and as child I remember going to Clones nearly every year and watching us win it, even a couple of times in Croker," McKay told BBC Sport NI.

"Even in those days throughout the mid 2000s we had great rivalries with Donegal, and you never thought at the time that it would end. It's unfortunate that they did and it's definitely went on for too long.

"Getting to one final and not getting over the line is one thing, people might say 'well we'll be back next year and finally get over the hill' and we didn't, but hopefully it'll be third time lucky on Sunday, and we'll bring it back."

The 29-year-old has not played since last year's All-Ireland final win over Galway at Croke Park - where he scored his county's only goal - because of an injury that required surgery.

But the Dromintee man does feel that he is nearing a return with the All-Ireland SFC round-robin series games his target.

"The plan was to be back for a championship because I knew I wasn't going to be back for the league even way back in say October, November time," he added.

"I knew that because I couldn't even get playing for the club in August and then I kind of just came to the conclusion that steroids and stuff weren't working anymore and that I had to get the operation.

"To be ready for the first group game in the All-Ireland series, anything earlier than that's a bonus, it's kind of where I'm still at.

"At the same time, one part of you is telling yourself that you are ready, but the head can sometimes be ignorant and stubborn enough and you want to plough ahead. If Geezer (Kieran McGeeney) would put the faith in me, I'd definitely throw myself in."