Armagh Harps v Crossmaglen Rangers (tomorrow, Keady, 3.45pm)
Crossmaglen and Armagh Harps meet in Keady tomorrow in a repeat of the last two county finals.
Harps were hammered by Cross in those two deciders and would appear to still have problems with their defence – conceding 3-14 last day out against Sarsfield’s in the qualifiers.
Rangers, in their quest for 20 titles in 21 years, showed no mercy in their 31-point demolition of Tir na nOg and will again be ready to expose any frailties in the city side’s rearguard.
Harps, without county man Joe McElroy and classy forward Ryan McShane in their opening round loss to Ballymacnab, had both back from America for the Sarsfield’s game, McElroy turning in a man of the match performance and McShane coming off the bench to fire over a couple of precious points in a tight finish.
Some view this as the de facto county final so, despite those harrowing Harps losses – 17 points in the 2014 decider and 18 last year – it promises to be an intriguing contest and certainly the pick of the weekend package.
Cross had Tir na nOg out of sight long before introducing Stephen Kernan, Kyle Carragher, Martin Aherne, Aidan Rushe and Oisin O’Neill, a clear indication of their awesome strength.
New kids on the block Alan Farrelly, Stephen Morris and Sean McConville have wasted no time getting into the groove so really Harps have once again have their work cut out.
Much will depend on their mental strength and perhaps the fact that it’s not a final could benefit them. To finally put the ghost of Cross to bed, Charlie Vernon, Declan McKenna, Joe McElroy, Conor White, Simon McCoy, Ryan McShane, Patrick Morrison, Mark McConville, Karol and Josh Loughran will all have to step up to the plate.
Clann Eireann v Round Towers, Ballymacnab (today, Pearse Og, 5pm)
Ballymacnab will be anxious to avenge their surprise second round defeat to Clann Eireann when they leaked four goals, three of them coming in the opening period.
Confidence is high again in the camp and if the Rory and Jack Grugan, Gavin McParland, Brian McCone and Ryan Kennedy can produce what they are capable of in attack the Lurgan defence could be in for a gruelling test.
Clann Eireann have shown that winning section B of the senior league was no flash in the pan.
In the championship opener they led Madden by 13 points at the half-way stage only to lose shape at the back and needed late scores to survive.
The victory over Ballymacnab renewed confidence and ,with players in the calibre of Barry McCambridge, Ryan Henderson, Shea Heffron, Ryan Owens, Paul McKenna, Adam Kelly and Mark Beattie, there is nothing to suggest they can’t scalp the ’Nab once more. However, Round Towers’ greater experience can book them a place in the last four.
St Patrick’s, Cullyhanna v Wolfe Tone’s, Derrymacash (tomorrow, Ballymacnab, 1.30pm)
Despite a first minute gifted goal from full-back Sean Connell, league champions Cullyhanna, who tore Pearse Og apart, weren’t overly impressive against Sarsfield’s, though they did finish deserving winners.
They have been missing several key players but have enough power and knowhow to keep their aspirations of a first ever senior championship title alive.
Mal Mackin, Eugene and Pearse Casey, Shea Hoey, Barry McConville, Gary McCooey and Stephen Reel all tried and trusted performers.
Wolfe Tone’s reached their first quarter-final in 43 years by defeating Forkhill.
The crucial score arrived late on when a Declan Lavery speculative lob made its way to the net.
The influential Finnian Moriarty will be a huge loss after being sent off against Forkhill and hopes now firmly rest with top forward Niall Geoghegan, James Doyle, Johnny McCarron, Ruairi McCaughey and Declan Lavery. Cullyhanna’s march should not be halted.
Sean MacDermott’s, Maghery v St Patrick’s, Dromintee (tomorrow, Athletic Grounds, 5.15pm)
Maghery, who saw off neighbours Annaghmore in round one didn’t have things all their own way against Wolfe Tones in round two need to improve.
They were without Aidan and Stefan Forker and the return of these two county panellists should surely make a difference.
Captained by former county midfielder James Lavery, and managed by Shane McConville and Kieran Rafferty, the Loughshore men have a strong belief that this could be their year.
While being one of the most consistent teams in the county, they have still to get their hands on the big prize. Stephen Cusack, who scored 0-7 in their 0-12 to 0-7 defeat of Wolfe Tone’s, will once again be a key figure.
Dromintee turned in a creditable performance against Cross and their wins in the qualifiers against Annaghmore and Tir na nOg should help boost morale.
They have two highly-rated forwards in Conor Martin and Cathal McKenna, and will also be depending on the contributions of Gareth McCrink, Aaron McKay, Ryan Gaskin, Darren McKenna, Shane McCoy and Christopher Lynch. It is hard to see Maghery slipping up.
