The Ulster championship hits the quarter-final stage this weekend with the first 50% in play.
Indeed, Cavan up ended Monaghan last week. Can another small surprise light up?
Down v Antrim
The de-facto prediction writer, writes off Antrim in the first moments of this game.
However, things have changed and Antrim are made of sterner stuff than the team who went some 18-years between championship wins. Manager Andy McEntee is a born winner and Antrim are stronger with him in their corner.
However, Down made the division three final! Whereas, the week’s rest should have done them the world of good. Indeed, the three point final defeat to Westmeath their only defeat in the league.
The league meeting was a nine point Down victory on February 18. There should be a Down victory in this one.
Down: John O'Hare; Peter Fegan, Ryan McEvoy, Ceilum Doherty; Miceal Rooney, Pierce Laverty, Daniel Guinness; Jonny Flynn, Odhran Murdock; Shane Annett, Liam Kerr, Ryan Johnston; Oisin Savage, Pat Havern, Danny Magill.
Antrim: Michael Byrne; Ronan Boyle, Eunan Walsh, Kavan Keenan; Declan Lynch, Joseph Finnegan, Dermot McAleese; Cathal Hynds, Marc Jordan; Conor Hand, Patrick McBride, Eoin Hynds; Ryan McQuillan, Ruairí McCann, Dominic McEnhill.
Saturday April 13
Páirc Esler, Newry
Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry), Throw-in: 6pm
Verdict: Down
Fermanagh v Armagh
Armagh should progress here, but, Fermanagh are a potential banana skin.
Kieran “Geezer” McGeeney is expected to deliver an Ulster championship. Something he hasn’t been able to do in nine years. Indeed, something Armagh haven’t delivered since 2008.
Penalty defeats to Derry in last year’s Ulster final and to Monaghan in the All-Ireland quarter-final should sting enough to force a response. Yet the silver medals were presented at the division two final two weeks ago.
Six years have passed since Fermanagh made a rare Ulster final appearance. Relegation to division three arrived this year. Indeed, a big win over Cavan wasn’t enough to salvage division two status.
Whereas, Cavan’s victory over Monaghan may ask the question, could the real Fermanagh please stand-up?
Fermanagh: Ross Bogue; Lee Cullen, Ché Cullen, Oisin Smyth; Declan McCusker, Shane McGullion, Cian McManus; Ronan McCaffrey, Joe McDade; Conor McGee, Conor McShea, Fionan O'Brien; Ultán Kelm, Garvan Jones, Sean Cassidy.
Armagh: Blaine Hughes; Paddy Burns, Aaron McKay, Peter McGrane; Joe McElroy, Ciaran Mackin, Aidan Forker; Rian O'Neill, Ben Crealey; Stefan Campbell, Rory Grugan, Conor Turbitt; Oisin Conaty, Andrew Murnin, Jarly Óg Burns.
Sunday April 14
Brewster Park
Referee: Joe Mc Quillan (Cavan), Throw-in: 2pm
Verdict: Armagh
