Armagh unlikely to be caught again

Armagh v Sligo  Páirc Tailteann, Navan Sunday, 5.15 (Net 2) Sligo must wonder what they have to do to be given a chance going into matches. Tomorrow evening they go into action against elite opposition for the fifth time in 13 months. So far they have lost only one of these matches but for the fifth time their chances will be rated as fairly marginal.

Whatever about last year and the heavy defeat by Dublin, this summer's displays have been resilient and impressive. But the nature of the recoveries against Galway, Tyrone and Armagh has raised a slight question mark.

On each occasion they have been thoroughly outplayed for a lengthy spell. Then, with the result looking likely to go against them, they have dug deep and exerted considerable pressure in the face of which opponents have disintegrated.

No adversity has been too daunting. Two of the best attacks in the country, Galway and Tyrone, have burned them up before losing the initiative and nearly paying the price in Galway's case - actually doing so in Tyrone's. Two weeks ago, Armagh helped themselves to easy goals, looked to have established a stranglehold, then went a man up when David Durkin got the line - all the while Sligo's usually dependable Gerry McGowan was having an off-day in attack.

Yet Armagh of all teams couldn't close it down. Despite their experience and the guile of Joe Kernan on the line, they couldn't resist the late charge and ended up lucky not to lose when Dara McGarty - understandably given that there was still a couple of minutes left - took the conservative option to equalise rather than go for broke in injury time.

There are a few reasons why the feeling here is that Armagh will make sure this time. Firstly, Sligo's defence has looked rocky under pressure, particularly in the full-back line. Armagh's two goals were evidence of this. Mark Cosgrove's introduction steadied the line but he is injured and Sligo manager Peter Ford has had to stick with Patrick Naughton whom Cosgrove replaced the last day.

Secondly, Armagh are unlikely to make the tactical error of the last day when goal fever overwhelmed their better judgment as well as their natural instincts. This departure from the cautious possession game they usually play meant that Sligo were handed a platform for their sweeping attacks and with the extra room created by Durkin's departure, they swung the match.

Thirdly, there is the dependence on Eamonn O'Hara to kickstart the comebacks. In the past two days at Croke Park his stamina, athleticism and sheer desire have transformed the team. One man who can match these traits, even if he lacks O'Hara's pace, is Armagh captain Kieran McGeeney, reportedly not 100 per cent in the drawn match.

Armagh will play more conservatively tomorrow, holding the middle and playing more of a possession game. Maybe Sligo can vary their approach and get competitive earlier but the belief here is that whatever the pattern, Armagh won't be caught again.