In the qualifier era, the rivalry between Armagh and Tyrone has regularly impacted at national level as opposed to provincial.
The counties were the first from the same province to contest an All-Ireland in 2003 and extended the rivalry with a memorable semi-final two years later and a couple of qualifiers in the meantime.
The latest of these takes place on Sunday, in Armagh’s Athletic Grounds. The status of both counties, stung by really disappointing championship exits, is ideal for getting a bounce from the qualifiers, according to Joe Kernan, who managed Armagh to their 2002 All-Ireland and the following year’s final.
“You’ve got to play with what’s ahead of you, especially after a loss. If you get a match that lights the fire, you’re up and running. Our first qualifier was down in Waterford and at half-time I was worried because we were only three or four ahead but we won well enough in the end. The match that lit the fire for us was the qualifier against Dublin.
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“It was really hotly contested by both teams and we got through and I thought, ‘now we’re back and ready to go again’.
“It depends who you get and if you come out of a defeat hurting, you can’t wait to get back out once you’re back up and running the pain is soon forgotten. If you start to struggle and there’s no desire there, then you’re in trouble.”
Desire shouldn’t be in short supply. All-Ireland champions Tyrone were toppled by Derry – now the new Ulster champions after a gap of 24 years – and after a turbulent season, are staring at the prospect of yet again failing to raise a gallop in their defence of the Sam Maguire.
They also had a number of brushes with authority during the league campaign and perceptions of their readiness to compete were further undermined by the number of panellists who walked away from the team despite having enjoyed a terrific 2021 championship, culminating in a fourth Sam Maguire.
“Tyrone came out of the league in poor form and started the championship badly,” says Kernan. “They’ve had problems. I saw Brian Dooher talking about their discipline issues the other week. Have they got rid of the All-Ireland hangover? Is it really hurting them? If so, this is the weekend for the hurt to come out.
“It’s an endgame for both teams.”
For Armagh, the Ulster exit came against Donegal just weeks after a fiery league encounter had triggered a number of suspensions, which their opponents accepted but which they contested.
“So we went into the championship in good form,” says Kernan, “but unfortunately the aftermath of the Donegal league match didn’t help. Worrying about players and getting them off can take the focus off the team. It ended up motivating Donegal, players and supporters.
“A lot of work has gone into this Armagh team. The team is young, well balanced and with good scoring forwards. The league was good preparation and we felt halfway through it that there was an Ulster title in the team. Derry ended up doing what we wanted to do!
“We’ve a good squad but injuries put pressure on us. I still think that a home game, our backs to the wall, we have to come out and stand up. Our best players didn’t impact against Donegal but if they do it this weekend, we can win – of course we can.
“I think our boys could be hurting more than Tyrone. They won the All-Ireland last year. Are they happy with it? That’s the way they’ve shown themselves so far.”
