GAELIC GAMES:IF ANYONE can figure out Down it is their old leader Paddy O'Rourke. Of course, this is the Ulster championship so most preconceptions can be shelved as the dust-up commences. Still, this Down panel must surely retain the highest of aspirations.
For Armagh to progress they must put the tightest of shackles on Down’s roaming wing forwards Danny Hughes and Marty Clarke. their engine and playmaker respectively. The positioning and activity of Aaron Kernan, Ciarán McKeever and Paul Duffy will tell.
Down showed signs of becoming a great team last summer so the conquering of Ulster seems necessary to provide confirmation. And that starts by overcoming Armagh, a team with enough quality to ruin the form line. Billy Joe Padden’s arrival in the half forward line alongside Tony Kernan and Malachy Mackin could make a difference.
Just not this evening.
ARMAGH: P Hearty; A Mallon, B Donaghy, K Dyas; A Kernan, C McKeever, P Duffy; K Toner, C Vernon; T Kernan, BJ Padden, M Mackin; M ORourke, S McDonnell, J Clarke.
DOWN: B McVeigh; D McCartan, D Gordon, B McArdle; C Garvey, K McKiernan, D Rooney; K King, P Fitzpatrick; D Hughes, M Poland, M Clarke; J Clarke, B Coulter, P McComiskey.
Referee: C Reilly (Meath).
