Recent meetings between Armagh and Antrim, including this season’s Dr McKenna Cup clash, have been rather one-sided and there are few people who give Antrim much chance going into Saturday’s Ulster SFC opener.
On paper, this should be a pretty straightforward assignment for Kieran McGeeney’s men, but defeats to the likes of Cavan, Fermanagh and Down in recent campaigns offer some hope to the Saffrons.
Armagh haven’t reached an Ulster Final since their last victory in 2008 and they’ll be keen to put that particular stat to rest in the coming weeks.
Read more: Ulster SFC preview: Your county-by-county guide, predictions, betting odds and more
The Orchard County lost their Division One status on the final day of the season while Antrim’s win over Cavan in round six meant they avoided relegation from Division Three.
Armagh are without attacking stars Rian O’Neill and Andrew Murnin with McGeeney opting not to risk either against Antrim.
Andy McEntee will be hoping Ryan Murray is fit to play some part having missed the last few League games with a hamstring injury, but defender Dermot McAleese remains sidelined as he continues to recover from a broken jaw.
We take a closer look at the key battles which could decide the outcome of Saturday’s game.
Team line-outs:
Armagh
Ethan Rafferty
James Morgan 3. Aaron McKay 4. Aidan Forker
5. Ciaran Mackin 6.Greg McCabe 7. Barry McCambridge
8. Ben Crealey 9. Shane McPartlan
10. Stefan Campbell 11. Rory Grugan 12. Jason Duffy
13 Jemar Hall 14. Conor Turbitt 15. Tiernan Kelly
Antrim (possible)
Michael Byrne
Eoghan McCabe 3. Declan Lynch 4. James McAuley
5. Peter Healy 6. Joe Finnegan 7. Marc Jordan
8. Kevin Small 9. Conor Stewart
10. Paddy McBride 11. Ruairi McCann (Creggan) 12. Ryan Murray
13. Dominic McEnhill 14. Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon) 15 Odhran Eastwood
Key battles
Conor Turbitt (Armagh) v Peter Healy (Antrim)
In the absence of both Rian O’Neill and Andrew Murnin, Armagh will hope that Conor Turbitt can continue his fine form from the League campaign.
Used primarily as an impact sub last season, the Clann Éireann ace is now a regular starter and was Armagh’s second highest scorer in the League with 1-12.
The job of keeping him quiet could fall to Antrim skipper Peter Healy. The St Enda’s clubman, a Sigerson Cup winner with UCD, is an excellent reader of the game and could put Turbitt on the back foot with his trademark runs forward.
Rory Grugan (Armagh) v Marc Jordan (Antrim)
Rory Grugan is as important to Armagh’s cause as Rian O’Neill or Jarly Óg Burns and Antrim will know they’ll have to limit his influence to have any chance on Saturday.
Peter Healy tracked Grugan in the 2021 meeting, but Marc Jordan could be the man for the role this weekend.
Antrim will want to break at speed when they force turnovers and there’s no better man coming out of defence on their squad than the Lámh Dhearg wing-back.
Ben Crealey (Armagh) v Conor Stewart (Antrim)
Kieran McGeeney has a habit of making late changes to his starting 15, although the new directive from Croke Park this week means changes are only permitted within the 26-man panel.
If Ben Crealey does start it will be his first appearance of 2023 for the Orchard County.
That could give Antrim the edge at midfield.
In Conor Stewart, they’ve one of the best young midfielders in the province and the Ballymena native is also capable of landing scores from play.
Ruairi McCann (Antrim) v Barry McCambridge (Armagh)
While there are two Ruairi McCanns on the Antrim team, there’s no mistaking the imposing frame of the one from Aghagallon.
Typically, McCann will play as an out-and-out full-forward, but is capable of fighting for possession in the middle third.
With an eye for goal, McCann is one of Antrim’s best attacking players and he will probably have Barry McCambridge for company at some point on Saturday evening.
The Clann Éireann defender is having a cracking season after nailing down a place in the Armagh defence and he kept Kerry star David Clifford scoreless from play in February’s League meeting between the sides.
Paddy McBride (Antrim) v Aidan Forker (Armagh)
Paddy McBride has played a number of roles for Antrim down through the years, but he is at his best when deployed at wing-forward.
The St John’s ace is well capable of scoring from distance and his kick-passing ability is a huge asset for the Saffrons.
Armagh might put Aidan Forker out to do a man-marking job on McBride, especially if Ryan Murray isn’t fit to start.
The Maghery star is one of the toughest defenders in the game and is usually marking whoever McGeeney deems is the main threat from the opposition.
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