Kernan ups the ante as he seeks more improvement

Gavin Cummiskey talks to the Armagh manager as he prepares his side for a clash with Fermanagh in Clones next Sunday.

It can go one of two ways in Clones next Sunday. Either talk of a changing of the guard in Ulster will begin or the build-up to an Armagh three-in-a-row of provincial titles, last achieved by the great Down side of 1959 to 1961, shall gain momentum. The Orchard county also seek a sixth provincial title in eight years.

"We'll talk about that next week," said Joe Kernan, who was never going to buy into such a line of questioning with Fermanagh on the horizon. Especially Fermanagh.

As per usual, Ulster is the only championship to have heated up. Leinster will only really get going when Dublin meet Laois. For Munster football it probably requires a Cork and Kerry final on July 9th before any sparks fly. Connacht need Mayo and Galway in direct opposition.

But the tribal dance of Ulster has already scalped the All-Ireland champions Tyrone. Down's much touted potential also went up in smoke. Donegal and Derry will renew age-old hostilities in the semi-final.

By the time these two meet they should know if a young Fermanagh or evolving Armagh will be waiting in the final.

"I don't like looking at other people," counters Kernan. "We just concentrate on ourselves. What we have done to date over the two matches against Monaghan we are happy enough with, but we know we need a fair bit of improvement to continue in Ulster."

One substantial tactical adjustment this year has been the shifting of Kieran McGeeney to midfield. It actually came out of Philip Loughran's absence due to a Achilles tendon problem.

It also afforded Kernan the opportunity to blood Ciarán McKeever in the centre-back role while his predecessor remains in the team.

Loughran remains on the treatment table for the coming weeks so Kernan continues to combine McGeeney and Paul McGrane in the middle. The team leaders together.

"Kieran's done alright in the middle of the field. Him and Paul complement each other. It's a new one for Kieran but everybody needs new challenges. With injuries we needed cover there.

"We knew Philip Loughran would be out long term. We needed somebody there and he is a big man. It proved effective during the McKenna Cup and the league when others were missing."

Francie Bellew is also back on the radar after a shoulder injury. He played 50 minutes for his club Mullaghbawn at the weekend so now all he has to do is pry the number three jersey off the back of Tony McEntee.

"Francie has recovered and played a club match so he is back in the reckoning. Tony has done a good job but it is a good problem to have.

"We'll wait until Wednesday night when we will pick the team."

Skipping across the county line we find Fermanagh manager Charlie Mulgrew in a typically inconspicuous mood. Head down in preparation for the Armagh onslaught.

Just like 2004 when the GAA world was rocked to its foundations by his young side's famous victory in Croke Park over an Armagh team, seemingly, at the zenith of their powers.

"We're still a pretty young squad," notes Mulgrew. "Probably one of the youngest in the championship. They were two years younger back then so you would hope they have improved but at the same time every other team is developing too."

Was Mulgrew surprised by the recent results in Omagh and Ballybofey? Not on your life.

"We're used to that up here. There's nothing taken for granted. Down went out on the toss of a coin. It was that close.

"Derry versus Tyrone? You ask the Tyrone lads and they will tell you Derry are always a big obstacle."

Another upset would be too much. Armagh's opening-day draw with Monaghan didn't do Fermanagh any favours.