T-Met Armagh Senior Football Championship
THE deferred second round qualifying game between Armagh Pearse Óg and Dromintee will be played on Saturday in Silverbridge (6.15pm).
It had been put back a week due to the recent tragic death of Dromintee clubman Peter Hughes. The winners will meet holders Crossmaglen at the quarter-final stage.
The city side would be favourites to advance despite not having their star forward Ronan Clarke who picked up a serious head injury in the second round tie which Ógs lost to Maghery.
Dromintee suffered a first round defeat at the hands of Ballymacnab, 1-16 to 1-11, but got back on track with a first round qualifying victory over St Paul’s.
Very little separated the teams in the league, both finishing mid-table which may count for very little in the heat of championship battle.
Ógs leaked four early goals in their first round victory over Sarsfield's but with seasoned defenders such as Gerard Barton, Paul Duffy, Darnell Parkinson and Shé Freeman there is little likelihood of any repeat.
With former county man Anto Duffy still out through injury, midfield will be relying on Sean Moore and Chris Rafferty to call the shots in this crucial department.
The attack, even without talisman Clarke, doesn’t lack potency and the likes of the former Allstar’s three younger brothers – Conor, Sean and Ross – and freetaker Marc Cullen (above) capable of keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
Dromintee who have never won a senior championship and were denied in a number of finals by the dominance of their south Armagh neighbours Crossmaglen, are not short of talent in any key departments.
Their big name is county man Kevin Dyas. They have a formidable midfield pairing in Aaron McKay and Gareth McCrink and up front Cathal McKenna, Ryan Gaskin, Cathal O’Neill and Ryan Hughes have been fairly consistent.
And should defenders Peter Campbell, Anthony Fearon, Shane O’Neill and Conor Hoey step up to the mark they will be a tough enough nut for fancied Ógs to crack.
