ARMAGH'S fortunes have taken a turn for the better with the news that key defenders Brendan Donaghy and James Morgan should be fit for their Championship challenge.
The injury-ravaged Orchardmen were relegated from Division Two after losing their last three League games, but they could be at full strength by the time Cavan arrive at the Athletic Grounds for their Ulster SFC quarter-final on June 8.
Crossmaglen defender Morgan, rated by many as the best man-marker in the county, returned to action as a substitute for his club in last weekend's opening round of fixtures in Armagh's senior league. He played the final 15 minutes in the win over Carrickcruppen after recovering from a hip injury and came through his reintroduction unscathed.
Meanwhile, experienced full-back Donaghy is in rehab after six months on the sidelines with tendinitis.
The absence of the Clonmore clubman left a gaping hole in the Orchard rearguard that manager Paul Grimley struggled to fill and Charlie Vernon, Andy Mallon and Kieran Toner were all used as stop-gaps in the centre of Armagh's full-back line.
Donaghy hopes to be back in training after three weeks and, if all goes to plan, he'll be available for the clash with Cavan.
"I'm back running the last two or three weeks," he said.
"Things are going in the right direction, so hopefully it won't be too long before I'm back to full fitness."
The last game Donaghy played was the Armagh junior final with his club six months ago and he admits he found it difficult to watch his county colleagues being relegated to Division Three.
"It's very frustrating sitting watching football, especially when you're willing everybody on," he said.
"You're on the sideline, but you're still part of it and you can't fault the effort of the boys. They were very unlucky at times and, after the effort that everybody put in, things just went against Armagh."
Donaghy feels that injuries to experienced players like himself, Ciaran McKeever, Aaron Kernan and Finnian Moriarty allowed young players to establish themselves in the side. He predicts a few surprises for the Championship clash at the Athletic Grounds.
"Some of the new boys really stepped up to the plate and put their hands up for a Championship place, so there's been good and there's been bad," he said.
"We ended up in Division Three but that's not the be-all and end-all. It has given everybody a bit more experience, and that's what they need.
"There'll definitely be a few surprises come Championship time. We have a chance to knuckle down now and there's two months to get ourselves going again."
Despite Armagh's League form, Donaghy believes the side is still capable of competing at Championship level.
"Anybody, on their day, can beat anybody else," he said.
"We've been a victim of that before when we went into games as favourites and got overturned - at the end of the day it's who wants it most."
Last year Armagh travelled to Kingspan Breffni Park as favourites and were well beaten. Cavan make the trek north this year and this time they'll be expected to win.
"The way they've been playing in the U21s they're expected to come on strong this year," said Donaghy.
"I would imagine we'll definitely be underdogs for this game. But anything can happen."
Armagh boss Grimley, meanwhile, last night drafted five new players into the squad in the run-up to the Cavan encounter.
David O'Hagan (Grange) and Tim Harney (Pearse Og's) join the goalkeeping ranks, while Seamus Kelly from Silverbridge, John McGill from Carrickcruppen and Míceál McKenna from Grange have also been included.
"Bringing in these players is in line with our policy programme of new younger players for the future," said Grimley.
"The players have put the recent NFL campaign behind them and we are starting our Championship training. Myself, the management team and the players want to thank our supporters for their great backing throughout the NFL and we are determined to extend the summer season as far as possible."