Orchard’s draw to bear fruit?
All-ireland R3 qualifier: Armagh Clare
Today, 3pm
v WHO would have thought a few years back that Armagh would be the designated the weaker county going into a Championship meeting with Clare?
Much to Banner manager Colm Collins’ ire, that’s the reason they enjoy home advantage for this afternoon’s qualifier tie despite being drawn out second last Monday morning.
As a Division Three team this year, Armagh were entitled to the privilege – albeit they won promotion and will join Clare in Division Two next year. Indeed, Armagh got further than Clare in last year’s Championship, getting to the All-ireland quarter-final, a stage that their opponents reached for the first time the year before.
Both have decent qualifier records in recent seasons and chiseled out victories on the road last week against Division Three opponents.
Armagh were more comfortable against Sligo than Clare were in their respective tie against Offaly, where Jamie Malone and Eoin Cleary both impressed to steer them through.
It’s a huge opportunity for both sides, neither of whom would fear any of the four beaten provincial finalists they’d be paired with in the next round.
With little to choose between them, home advantage might just swing it in Armagh’s favour.
VERDICT: