Down ready for Armagh Ulster clash

Down ready for Armagh Ulster clash

31 May 2017

NEWRY will be turned into a battle zone on Sunday when Down lock horns with Armagh in an intriguing Ulster Championship clash.

The age old rivalry has set the pulses racing and Pairc Esler will be a cauldron of delirium and intensity when the noisy neighbours clash in an all-ticket affair.

Down and Armagh have always produced fiery games in the past with local bragging rights at stake. Both teams have had varying successes in the NFL.

Down's last gasp heroics against Cork kept them in Division 2, despite them struggling against most of the opposition. Armagh will spend 2018 in Division 3 again as they lost out on promotion to Louth and Tipperary.

As ever, the lead-up to this clash has seen Down take in a few challenge games as well as some competitive in-house affairs. A recent training weekend in Dublin also took place.

Reports of a long injury list are somewhat true and manager Eamon Burns may leave it late in the week to name his starting 15.

Castlewellan custodian Michael Cunningham has won his way back into the team ahead of Bryansford’s Marc Reid and he is expected to claim the number one jersey.

Ryan McAleenan has been battling a long term niggle, but he should take his place at corner back with team captain Darren O'Hagan in the other corner. Burren's Gerard McGovern is the natural choice at full back.

Darragh O'Hanlon, Kevin McKernan and Conaill McGovern look poised to be the half back line trio.

O'Hanlon's free taking and direct running will be key to the Down cause while McKernan and McGovern bring plenty of experience.

Midfield is a difficult proposition for the Mourne side. Downpatrick’s Peter Turley will surely hold one of the spots.

The temptation may be to draft in Loughinisland’s Jonny Flynn to partner him.

However, a more tactical based approach is the likely outcome and either Joe Murphy or Caolan Mooney could be named there, but not actually performing the role.

In the forward line the Johnston brothers are battling hard with injury setbacks, but both should be fit to slot into the side.

Donal O'Hare has returned to fitness and will partner Barry O'Hagan in a two-man full forward line.

Conor Maginn has a massive role as playmaker and many fans would also like to see veteran Mark Poland thrown into the mix at some stage.

Armagh are coming into this game in confident mood.

Many in the Orchard County believe that they finally have an attack that can cause serious damage to defences in Ulster.

However, defensively they aren't great and this still remains their Achilles heel.

Armagh will be happy with the news that Crossmaglen sharpshooter Jamie Clarke will be available for the clash after overcoming an ankle injury.

The robust Charlie Vernon will also take to the field after recovering quicker than expected from a setback.

His position will likely be full back with the experienced Brendan Donaghy in front of him at centre half back. Paul Hughes will be tasked with a man marking job, likely on Barry O'Hagan.

Aaron Findon is Armagh's 'go to man' at midfield. Stefan Campbell and Jamie Clarke will operate on the edge of the square and both provide a serious threat.

Rory Grugan and Andrew Murnin will be hard stopped in their respective attacking roles.

This will be a close contest. The derby element will add extra spice and a physical edge.

Both defences are going to be under serious pressure.

The roles of the respective free kick takers will have a huge impact on the outcome of the tie. This could go either way.

Down might just sneak it with home advantage.

There is also little to separate the sides in the Minor Championship clash which acts as a curtain-raiser.

The counties played each other in Clonduff in the Ulster League back at the start of April and Down emerged winners by a point, 1-10 to 1-9.

Neither side made a mark in the subsequent Ulster Shield as both were defeated in their first outing.

James McCartan and his management team are now in their second year with the minors.

They have been doing some sterling work and produced a fine U-17 team this year.

The minors are likely to start with Burren's Raymond Kelly in goal.

His clubmates, the McEvoy twins, Malachi and Ardan, are astute defenders along with Longstone's Finn McIlroy, Bryansford's Keelin O'Higgins and another Burren star Peter Fegan.

Shamrocks middle man Jack O'Doherty is set to spearhead the midfield along with Loughinisland's Declan McClements.

Down are strong in the forward division and have plenty of experience in An Riocht's Conor Clarke and Burren's Liam Kerr, who were on the panel last year.

Teconnaught's Rory Anderson and Clonduff's Ross Carr are also set to feature.

Other score getters include Mayobridge flyer Shane Annett and Saul's Daniel Napier.

Neither side are likely to lift the Ulster MFC later in the summer, but a win for Down would really boost underage football in the county after a recent run of poor minor performances.