Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup Section C: Armagh v Tyrone (tonight, the Athletic Grounds, 8pm)
WHO wants it more? The age-old rivals meet in a repeat of last year’s final, won by Tyrone, and qualification for the semi-finals, bragging rights and much more is at stake.
This Athletic Grounds clash will sharpen blades as the neighbours prepare for a cut at their respective National Football League campaigns. Tyrone, third in Division One last year, will hope to establish themselves as a top flight force while Armagh, fifth in Division Two in 2019, will bid for promotion with the spectre of a drop to division three and the second tier of the Championship driving them on.
On top of that, Armagh can send out a message tonight that they are Ulster also-rans no longer. Kieran McGeeney’s men clinched their first provincial win under his management last year, then came within a whisker of beating Mayo in the Qualifiers and they will be expected to build on that this season.
There were signs in their dismantling of Cavan in their opener at Kingspan Breffni 10 days ago that they will be capable of doing just that. It is early days but Armagh’s skill, pace and physicality overwhelmed an albeit experimental home side, particularly during the first half.
Stefan Campbell, Rian O’Neill and Jemar Hall all impressed and youngsters like Conor Turbitt (2-2 on debut), Aidan Nugent and Jason Duffy are pushing for places with Rory Grugan and Jamie Clarke still to return.
Elsewhere, former half-back pairing Brendan Donaghy and Aidan Forker retreated to the full-back line and Mark Shields also looked in good early season form. James Morgan returned to action and Rian O’Neill ran the show, finishing with six points.
Meanwhile, for all the talk that they have not wintered well, Tyrone beat an arguably stronger Cavan line-up by six points last Sunday despite including only one player – Rory Brennan - who made their starting line-up in the August All-Ireland semi-final loss to Kerry.
Five debutants and a number of fringe players stuck their hands up for NFL inclusion including full-forward Conal McCann who scored the goal in the 1-16 to 0-13 win, Ardboe’s David Mulgrew (back again after missing last year) and Conn Kilpatrick who scored two points from midfield. Mickey Harte described the display from Edendork clubman Kilpatrick as “a big bonus”.
“You don’t want to be getting too excited about a new player because you want to keep his feet on the ground but I think he will do that very well,” said the veteran Red Hands’ boss.
“He’s a really good footballer, and for his first match, I think he acquitted himself very well and Daniel Kerr up front was very good at the finishing when he found his feet.
“So as the game evolved, we noticed plenty of good play from different players. Conor Quinn – and he had been sick there for a few days – I’m very happy with the way he performed.”
The promise shown by the new faces is encouraging for Red Hand fans sent reeling by the exit of Tyrone’s player of last year Cathal McShane who seems destined for a spell in Australia. His absence will be felt as the season develops and so too will the loss of Connor McAliskey.
Meanwhile, Mattie Donnelly is injured and could miss the National League which starts for Armagh on January 26 with a home game against Cavan and Tyrone a day later against top flight newcomers Meath at Healy Park.
At least one more game would help to bridge that gap and both managers will be keen to secure it tonight. With Cavan now out of the reckoning, the permutations are: If Armagh win they will qualify for the semi-finals and Tyrone will be out, if Tyrone win by three or more points they will qualify for the semi-finals and Armagh will be out, if the game ends in a draw, or Tyrone win by a point, then both counties will progress to the last four.
Last year’s final was a rip-roaring affair that Tyrone managed to win by two points to clinch their seventh McKenna Cup in eight seasons. Armagh haven’t won this competition since 1994 and tonight is a chance for them to signal their intent early in what could be a successful year for them.
There’ll be no quarter given or asked for in this derby tussle and the Orchardmen get the nod to see off their auld enemy for the first time since 2014 and progress to the semi-final stage.
