ULSTER SFC

Tonight (6pm): Pairc Esler, B Cassidy (Derry)

DOWN might do well to forget about another Croke Park disappointment, this time in the Division 3 final against Westmeath, and focus on this one.

The Mourne men have had a fortnight to get over their defeat. They were favourites against the Lake men, and against Meath in last year’s Tailteann Cup final at Croke Park, despite facing opponents more used to operating at a higher level.

Down’s pace and goal threat has been highlighted, but Westmeath were able to stop the goals and move on from there.

Have Antrim got the discipline and gameplan to do the same? Conor Laverty clearly has his eyes on further down the line, and going toe to toe with the bigger sides when they have to, but taking care of immediate business is important too, and winning promotion to Division 2 was key.

When the sides met in Division 3 Down won comfortably, 1-15 to 1-6 and had nine different scorers to Antrim’s four. That threat they possess should be enough to get them over the line and set up an Ulster semi-final with Armagh or Fermanagh.

There’s a clear pathway to an Ulster final here for the four teams on this side of the draw. It’s up to someone to grab it.

h h D D DOWN v ANTRIM A Gameplan verdict: FERMANAGH v ARMAGH A Pace

Armagh

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Tomorrow 2pm, Brewster Park, J Mcquillan (Cavan) ARMAGH seem a much more professional and well drilled outfit these days.

Slip-ups are less likely, but then both these sides operated in Division 2, so there isn’t a world of difference between them.

Having made the last two All-ireland quarter-finals and last year’s Ulster final, Armagh will still be expected to come through.

Oisin Conaty and Conor Turbitt have stepped up and added to their firepower, something which was badly needed, and Rian O’neill is on the way back again.

Fermanagh were relegated from Division 2 despite beating Cavan last time out, with Garvan Jones hitting a magnificent 1-8, including 1-7 from play, although the Breffni side had nothing to play for.

Ultan Kelm’s different level pace means he’s ideally suited to Championship, although the pitches aren’t exactly rock hard. Che Cullen versus Rian O’neill will be a battle to savour if it emerges.

The winners of this one face either Down or Antrim. Fermanagh last made an Ulster final under Rory Gallagher in 2018. This is about as good an opportunity as they’ll get. They also need to make a final to secure an All-ireland place, or else it’s the Tailteann Cup for a third successive year.

verdict: