Ballymacnab manager Barry Dillon insists league form will count for little when his side take on Cullyhana in the Armagh SFC at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday evening (5pm).
The game will form part of a cracking double-header in Armagh City with Maghery taking on Division 1A winners Armagh Harps at 7pm.
The Division 1B title was won by Ballymacnab while Cullyhana were relegated from 1B along with Carrickcruppen and Pearse Óg.
Read more: Thirteen Ulster men make All Stars nomination list as Kerry lead way once again
However, with Armagh stars Aidan Nugent and Jason Duffy back in their forward unit, St Patrick’s will be more than capable of pulling off an upset according to the ‘Nab boss.
“League is a different world from the Championship,” said Dillon.
“We’ve had a good year so far and it is good for the supporters to have a bit of success and get into Division 1A.
“You don’t know if you are having a good year until you play in the Championship. The Championship is the be-all and and-all for all teams now, so that’s where the focus is.
“Cullyhana got relegated from Division 1B, but they probably played three-quarters of the league without their county men.
“They are coming back now, albeit they have injuries and suspensions to deal with - just like every team. We’ll be giving Cullyhana full respect.
“We played them in the first game down in Cullyhana and it finished 1-5 to 1-5 - they made it very tough for us.
“We’ll have to be ready for whatever they bring - it could be a real arm wrestle.”
St Pat’s will be without the services of Armagh panellist Ross McQuillan for Saturday’s Championship clash through suspension.
Ballymacnab’s talisman, Rory Grugan, was one of 45 players shortlisted for an All Star award earlier this week along with his Armagh colleagues Ethan Rafferty, Jarly Óg Burns, Rian O’Neill and Stefan Campbell.
Dillon has worked with various club and county stars in his managerial career to date and he rates Grugan among the very best.
“He is just a class act, he is a quality footballer,” added Dillon.
“He has come back in for the last three or four league games and he sets the standard. You see that with county players sometimes, but Rory leads from the front and he is a man of action.
“All the boys have total respect for him - nobody could ever have a bad word to say about him.”
Ballymacnab have another inter-county stalwart in their ranks with veteran Antrim goalkeeper Chris Kerr lining out for the Armagh side this season following his transfer from St Gall’s.
Kerr, who lives in Armagh City and works as a sports massage therapist, was coaching the Grange last season and Dillon thought it was worth checking his availability after he’d completed his rehab following back-to-back cruciate injuries.
“I was with Portglenone for the last few years so I knew Chris from the time he was with St Gall’s,” stated Dillon.
“I knew he was living in Armagh so I thought I would be worth putting in a call to him.
“He was treating some of our players anyway so he knew the Ballymacnab boys.
“I sat down with him and he seemed happy with what we were trying to do so he threw his hat in with us and we’re glad to have him.”
The preliminary round of the Armagh SFC took place last month with Madden seeing off the Grange to set up a first round clash with Killeavy at Crossmaglen on Saturday.
The first round gets under way tonight (Friday) when Granemore take on Pearse Óg at Abbey Park.
The Ógs have struggled all season and Conor Clarke’s men were relegated from Division One earlier this season.
Two recent winners of the Gerry Fegan Cup clash in what is, arguably, the pick of the first round games as Maghery meet Armagh Harps at the Athletic Grounds (7pm).
The loughshore side won the county title in 2020 while the Harps were champions in 2017, beating Maghery in the decider.
Last season’s county finalists are in action at the Athletic Grounds on Sunday as beaten finalists Crossmaglen take on Silverbridge at 4pm.
Jamie Clarke is expected to start in the full-forward line alongside Rian O’Neill for Cross, but Oisin O’Neill remains sidelined for Stephen Kernan’s side.
Clann Éireann then begin the defence of their title at 6pm when they take on Mullaghbawn, but they’ll be without the services of the suspended Tiarnan Kelly for their Championship campaign.
Armagh SFC fixtures
Friday, September 9
Granemore v Pearse Og (Abbey Park, 7.30pm)
Saturday, September 10
Madden v Killeavy (Crossmaglen, 3pm)
Cullyhanna v Ballymacnab (Athletic Grounds, 5pm)
Maghery v Armagh Harps (Athletic Grounds, 7pm)
Sunday, September 11
Sarsfield’s v Dromintee (Abbey Park, 1pm)
Clan na Gael v Carrickcruppen (Ballymacnab, 2.30pm)
Crossmaglen v Silverbridge (Athletic Grounds, 4.15pm)
Mullaghbawn v Clann Éireann (Athletic Grounds, 6pm)
READ NEXT:
- All-Ireland Masters final: Tyrone legend Stephen O'Neill as hungry as ever for trophy success
-
Lamh Dhearg and Cargin clash once again with Antrim SFC semi-final berth at stake
- Benny Coulter appointed as Down minor football manager
- Colm Cavanagh emerges as a major doubt for Moy ahead of Errigal Ciaran clash
- Oisin McConville set to take Wicklow reins
- Antrim only have themselves to blame for mid-season collapse says Paddy McBride
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
