Armagh still have what it takes to do it

ULSTER SFC FINAL: DIG INTO the history books and it is Armagh who must prevail. Even drift back to last Sunday's draw and, again, it is Armagh who must prevail.

They had that game in a vice-like grip but the resilience of Fermanagh pulled loose the fingers seemingly destined to clasp the Anglo-Celt Cup for the seventh time since 1999. Only Tyrone interrupted this period of dominance.

In August 2004 this reporter made the mistake of lauding the majesty of Armagh coming into the All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Fermanagh. Four years on and the balance of power is teetering on the precipice of change.

And still, it seems like mild hysteria to go against Armagh.

Their manager, Peter McDonnell, thus far looks an able replacement for Joe Kernan but he made a crucial error in putting Paddy McKeever in for Martin O'Rourke after 39 minutes and Oisín McConville on for his clubmate Stephen Kernan soon after. It seemed slightly arrogant, introducing two marquee forwards while sacrificing obvious defensive strengths as Armagh went for the jugular.

Fermanagh resisted, bravely pouring into Armagh's 13-man rearguard in search of a first provincial title that would leave Wicklow as the only county never to make the crossover.

McDonnell had the sense to throw O'Rourke back into action on 63 minutes, the defender Charlie Vernon making way.

Fermanagh were dominant in that final quarter, with the magnificent long-range shooting of Steven McDonnell keeping Armagh noses in front.

We don't know which was most indicative of true form, Armagh's early dominance or Fermanagh's late charge? One suspects the former, but they need additional scoring contributions from outside the combination of McDonnell and Ronan Clarke.

Fermanagh manager Malachy O'Rourke is expected to welcome back Liam McBarron at full forward, while All Star full back Barry Owens, with another week of fitness under his belt, may feature off the bench earlier than the previous two matches. More of the same is required from Ryan McCluskey, Marty McGrath, Eamon Maguire and Mark Little.

It would take a heroic performance to topple Armagh. Fermanagh can do it but, much like the Cork hurlers, Armagh still possess the will and capability to graft into August - where they immediately become a fearsome proposition for all-comers. In a manic shootout, the head says Armagh.

Verdict:Armagh.

ARMAGH:P Hearty; A Mallon, F Bellew, F Moriarty; A Kernan, A O'Rourke, C McKeever; P McGrane, K Toner; C Vernon, B Mallon, M O'Rourke; S McDonnell, R Clarke, S Kernan.

FERMANAGH:R Gallagher; S Goan, S McDermott, P Sherry; D Kelly, R McCluskey, T McElroy; M McGrath, M Murphy; C McElroy, J Sherry, R Keenan; E Maguire, L McBarron, M Little.

Referee:M Deegan (Laois).