Preview: Ulster SFC: Armagh v Cavan
June 07, 2014
Armagh and Cavan meet in The Athletic Grounds.
12 months ago, Paul Grimley was left red-faced after his tactics back-fired spectacularly in the preliminary round against the Breffni County and the Orchard County finished on the wrong end of a 1-15 to 1-11 scoreline.
The recruitment of Kieran McGeeney to his backroom team should result in a more defensive-minded Armagh side this year but, as they proved during the course of Division 2, they still have a tendency to blow hot and cold.
In Jamie Clarke they possess one of gaelic football's top forwards but there is lack of strength in depth to their panel which, one suspects, will undermine their challenge for Anglo Celt Cup honours.
The Breffni County, meanwhile, enter this year's championship race with high hopes following their run to the last eight of last year's All-Ireland SFC and the continued success of their U-21s.
Terry Hyland has merged youth with experience in his starting team and the midfield pairing of Gearoid McKiernan and David Givney should given them a strong platform on which to build.
Full-forward Martin Dunne - who finished second in the top scorer chart in last year's championship - is a potential match-winner.
All things considered, it's a difficult one to call and a second day may be required to separate these two teams.
Verdict - Draw.
Armagh team: Philip McEvoy; James Morgan, Charlie Vernon, Andy Mallon; Mark Shields, Brendan Donaghy, Ciaran McKeever; Kieran Toner, Aaron Findon; Eugene McVerry, Kevin Dyas, Caolan Rafferty; Jamie Clarke, Ethan Rafferty, Stefan Campbell.
Cavan team: Conor Gilsenan; Jason McLoughlin, Rory Dunne, Feargal Flanagan; James McEnroe, Alan Clarke (capt), Damien O'Reilly; David Givney, Gearoid McKiernan; Cian Mackey, Niall McDermott, Martin Reilly; Eugene Keating, Martin Dunne, Jack Brady.
Match details: Sunday, Athletic Grounds, 4pm.
Referee: Martin Duffy (Sligo).
Odds: Armagh 10/11, Draw 15/2, Cavan 11/10. Tweet
