Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final: Cavan v Armagh
(Sunday, Kingspan Breffni Park, 3.30pm)
MAN OF THE MOMENT
Gearoid McKiernan (Cavan)
The physical transformation of Gearoid McKiernan over the last 12 months is nothing short of astonishing. He looks leaner and fitter than he’s ever done before, which has allowed him to play further forward than his usual midfield role and be a greater scoring threat.
He’s the only Cavan player to score in every league game this season, registering 1-27 (0-8 frees). The big Swanlinbar man is adept at holding off a challenge and still finding his range. Predominantly left footed, he has improved his weaker right foot too.
He could be the biggest danger to Armagh’s prospects on Sunday.
TEAM TALK
CAVAN
Raymond Galligan; Padraig Faulkner, Killian Clarke, Rory Dunne; Feargal Flanagan, Conor Moynagh, Niall Murray; Tomas Corr, Liam Buchanan; Dara McVeety, Gearoid McKiernan, Martin Reilly; David Givney, Michael Argue, Sean Johnston
Defender Padraig Faulkner and midfielder Liam Buchanan are Cavan’s two Championship debutants, while Rory Dunne gets the nod ahead of Killian Brady, despite a lack of match practice after a long injury lay-off. Fergal Flanagan, a firm favourite of Terry Hyland’s, is also recalled to the Breffni defence.
Hyland has strong bench options, with Cian Mackey, Eugene Keating, Jack Brady, Killian Brady and Ciaran Brady expected to be among them. Flying winger Gerry Smyth could also be an ace up Hyland’s sleeve.
ARMAGH
Patrick Morrison; James Morgan, Charlie Vernon, Mark Shields; Andy Mallon, Aidan Forker, Ciaran McKeever; Brendan Donaghy, Ethan Rafferty; Rory Grugan, Tony Kernan, Ciaron O'Hanlon; Colm Watters, Stefan Campbell, Gavin McParland
Kieran McGeeney has recalled Ciaran McKeever, James Morgan and Brendan Donaghy after the trio were sidelined with injuries. The team that’s named doesn’t look quite right, particularly with defender Brendan Donaghy named at midfield. So there could be a couple of late changes to Armagh’s starting line-up.
Micael McKenna misses out through injury and will be a loss, but Tony Kernan boosts the half-forward line. Goalkeeper Patrick Morrison has been struggling with a back injury, but has been named.
Watch the Irish News preview for Sunday's clash between Cavan and Armagh:
TACTICAL TAKE
CAVAN
Cavan will be mindful of how easily Tyrone opened them up in last month’s league final and it’s perhaps reflected in Terry Hyland’s defensive choices. Rory Dunne and Fergal Flanagan are recalled and are stay-at-home defenders. Cavan probably had one too many defenders attacking against Tyrone and were caught out.
Attacking-wise, Cavan have been transformed. They no longer react to the opposition, they force the issue and attack with tremendous pace. They have umpteen line-breakers and midfielders who chip in with important scores.
They can win games with a spread of scores, even when their inside men - David Givney and Sean Johnston - are tied up. They also have better options in reserve than Armagh.
ARMAGH
Armagh will look to attack Cavan’s defensive centre, just as Tyrone did in last month’s NFL final. Opinion is divided in Cavan over centre-back Conor Moynagh. The former Ulster U21 winner is a fine footballer and a great kick passer, but his keenness to assist the attack can sometimes be costly, particularly when Cavan don’t defend with the same numbers as before.
Armagh will look to the pace of Mark Shields and Andy Mallon to launch counter-attacks, but they can go more direct as well. Rory Grugan’s kick passing will be relied upon to find either Gavin McParland or Stefan Campbell on the edge of the square. So there is sufficient variety in how Armagh attack. But the ball must go dead to prevent them getting hit on the counter-attack.
In defence, Charlie Vernon and Ciaran McKeever are expected to pick up David Givney and Gearoid McKiernan.
KEY BATTLE
Killian Clarke (Cavan) v Stefan Campbell (Armagh)
If Cavan can keep Stefan Campbell on a tight leash, they will be a lot closer to victory. Killian Clarke is expected to pick Armagh’s danger man up and it should be an intriguing battle. Clarke is a more natural half-back than a full-back and is always keen to break out of defence.
Donie Kingston of Laois managed to turn Clarke a couple of times in the latter stages of their league clash at Breffni, which may be a slight concern for Cavan as Campbell is quicker on the turn than Kingston and can shoot off either foot.
His goal against Fermanagh perfectly illustrated how dangerous he is when close to goal.
WHO’S THE REF?
Eddie Kinsella (Laois)
The Laois whistler is one of the more experienced referees on the circuit. He’s had some difficult assignments this season - Kerry v Donegal and Castlebar v Crossmaglen in particular - where he endured severe criticism afterwards.
He took charge of last year’s Ulster clash between Derry and Down and controversially sent-off Conall McGovern.
BETTING BOX
Cavan 8/15; Armagh 2/1; Draw 8/1
Handicap
Cavan (-2) 11/10; Armagh (+2) 10/11; Draw (-2) 17/2
WEATHER WATCH
A warm, muggy afternoon expected in Cavan town with a high chance of rain. Could be slippery underfoot at Breffni.
LAST CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING
2014 Ulster SFC quarter-final: Armagh 1-12 Cavan 0-9
This game is infamously remembered for the pre-match parade shenanigans which resulted in fist fights between the two sets of players at the Athletic Grounds.
When order was restored, Cavan never really got going and Paul Grimley’s Armagh side managed to avenge the previous year’s Championship defeat at the hands of the Breffn imen. In a low-scoring game, Caolan Rafferty bagged the all-important goal for the home side. Jamie Clarke was a thorn in Cavan’s side throughout, grabbing four points, while Kevin Dyas produced one of his best displays in the orange jersey.
Armagh went on to lose to Monaghan in an Ulster semi-final replay, but reached the All-Ireland quarter-finals. It proved a miserable summer for Cavan as they were blown away by Roscommon in Round Two of the Qualifiers.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Last 10 SFC meetings
2014 Ulster SFC quarter-final: Armagh 1-12 Cavan 0-9; 2013Ulster SFC preliminary round: Cavan 1-15 Armagh 1-11; 2008Ulster SFC quarter-final: Cavan 0-13 Armagh 0-17; 2004Ulster SFC semi-final: Armagh 0-13 Cavan 0-11; 1978 Ulster SFC quarter-final: Cavan 0-16 Armagh 0-9; 1977 Ulster SFC quarter-final: Armagh 2-14 Cavan 1-12; 1965 Ulster SFC semi-final: Cavan 1-10 Armagh 0-4; 1962 Ulster SFC quarter-final: Cavan 3-8 Armagh 2-2; 1961 Ulster SFC quarter-final: Armagh 2-7 Cavan 0-8; 1959 Ulster SFC semi-final replay: Cavan 1-9 Armagh 1-7 (after draw, Cavan 0-13 Armagh 2-7)
