In terms of Ulster Intermediate final experience, both Middletown and Liatroim have lined out on the big day three times in their history, but the Armagh men have the winners medals to show for their efforts.
Liatroim made three appearances on the trot back in 2006, 2007 and 2008 but on all three occasions finished up on the losing side.
Middletown had their first outing one year later, 2009, and suffered defeat to St Gall’s but were victorious in their most recent finals in 2011, when they went on to reach the All-Ireland final, and 2017.
A huge number of this Middletown side will have at least one Ulster medal jangling around their back pocket while there’s plenty going in search of a third.
That leaves it advantage Middletown, according to Liatroim boss Colm Murphy. “They’ve been on the road a long time, the experience they have, the physicality. Of the four teams in the Ulster final this weekend, they’re probably the biggest.
“They’ve got that experience, they’ve got two Ulster medals under their belt, the last four Armagh titles. They’ve got the Gaffney’s, the Carvill’s and so on, they’re a great team. We’re delighted to be in the final and we’ll give it a lash on the day.”
Murphy’s men have been hugely impressive up to this point, making their mark in Ulster with two great performances and wins.
They saw off last years beaten finalists Castleblayney in the first round with seven-points to spare before overcoming Antrim representatives Clooney Gaels by nine at the semi-final stage.
Pearse Og McCrickard has been in flying form this season, notching 1-35 in his last three outings including a haul of 0-19 in the county final. Conor McCrickard, Pearse Davidson and Jarlath McAleenan have also lashed home goals in the provincial competition.
Middletown have plenty of scoring power to call upon as well and Murphy is well aware of the threat they pose in front of the posts.
In their last three games, sharpshooter Dean Gaffney has recorded 1-31 while older brother Ryan has slotted away three goals, two coming the last day out against Eire Og.
“I actually went and seen them play a few times this year when they were playing for Armagh, I seen them twice in Owenbeg and in Carrickmore. Obviously, I’ve watched their videos as well but when they were playing for Armagh, they were standouts, they were that good, they’re class acts.”
A huge majority of scores chalked up by Dean Gaffney have come from placed ball efforts so Murphy knows how important disciplined defending is going to be.
“In modern day football and hurling, your free takers, it’s gospel. You have to be on it all the time because the games played that quick, there’s so many frees given because of the speed of the players, your free taker needs to be dialled in.
“The only thing we can try and do is try not to give him the opportunity of soft frees. You’re always going to give frees away, if you’re not giving frees away, you’re not doing your job. But you want to try and cut out as many of the soft frees as possible and not give the free taker an easy options.”
It’s one to look forward to and with the scoring stats both teams have been producing in recent weeks, it could be a real shootout. Liatroim certainly won’t be heading to Corrigan Park today just to make up the numbers, but experience could be key and that may just see Middletown over the line.
