Armagh v Down:WITH FAVOURITES going down like skittles in the province and some excellent performances, the Ulster football championship has been the star turn of the summer to date.
This is a defining match, as even though Armagh are slowly evolving from the great team that won the All-Ireland, just half a dozen of whom are still starting, they represent the status quo against a Down side that are threatening to reconstitute the county's traditional challenge.
In Peter McDonnell's first championship match in charge Armagh had a more fluid feel about their approach, less monolithic at the back but pacier in getting the ball forward.
Cavan were steeped to be within four points at the end. The old understanding between Steven McDonnell and Ronan Clarke was obvious and had the finishing been better or had James Reilly not played such a blinder in goal, Armagh would have had three or four goals.
That combination is a huge threat to a Down side, missing their first-choice full back Martin Cole, who is suspended. Cavan tried to place an extra man in front of the Armagh pair but the latter's movement was clever and managed to open up space by dragging markers out to the wing.
Farther out around the middle Down will hope to compete. Liam Doyle is an excellent footballer and Dan Gordon has grown into centrefield as a specialist position rather than one from which he can expect to be shunted to full forward.
Ambrose Rodgers gave a great display of hard work and ball winning in the Tyrone victory but will need to stay on top of his game to compete in an area where Armagh have so much expertise and appetite.
Although the Armagh defence has a fresher look about it there are still mobility issues down the middle and with Daniel Hughes beginning to find a niche for his ability and pace within the Down forwards, the favourites will find themselves under pressure, particularly given Benny Coulter's presence as executioner when chances present themselves.
ARMAGH:P Hearty; A Mallon, F Bellew, F Moriarty; C Vernon, A O'Rourke, C McKeever; P McGrane, K Toner; A Kernan, S Kernan, M O'Rourke; S McDonnell, R Clarke, P McKeever.
DOWN:B McVeigh; L Howard, D McCartan, D Rafferty; A Carr, L Doyle, P Murphy; D Gordon, J Lynch; R Murtagh, A Rodgers, D Hughes; J Clarke, B Coulter, R Sexton.
Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).
GUIDELINES
In the last episode:The counties haven't met in the Ulster championship for nine years when Armagh had an easy win in the 1999 Ulster final. Two years later the counties met in the All-Ireland qualifiers where Armagh had another big win. Down's last championship success against their neighbours came when they were defending All-Ireland champions in 1992.
You bet:Down are 15-8, Armagh 4-7 and the draw 7-1.
On your marks:The collision of the captains at centrefield promises to have a major bearing. Paul McGrane was a major influence on Armagh's quarter-final win in Cavan whereas Dan Gordon was sprung in defiance of reported injury and contributed greatly to the epic win over Tyrone.
Gaining ground:Clones went through a phase of being used for nearly every Ulster championship fixture. This season because of an impressive programme of ground development more counties have been able to play their first round matches at home but St Tiernach's Park gets the gig tomorrow and will again be the venue for this year's final.
Just the ticket:While available today tickets will be sold at the Ulster Council offices in Armagh.
There are some stand tickets at €25 and terrace at €18 but according to the council these will be sold out by tomorrow.
Crystal gazing:Down have shown plenty of improvement in getting to the final but Armagh look a tougher nut to crack than Tyrone and should progress to a seventh Ulster final in 10 years.
