Impartial Reporter

Fermanagh aim to upset the odds when Armagh come to Brewster

- By Ciarán Flaherty

Ulster SFC Quarter-final

FERMANAGH’S Ulster Championsh­ip gets under way when they welcome Armagh to Brewster Park this Sunday. The teams have already met this year in NFL Division Two and the tie brings together two teams who had contrastin­g fortunes in the league with Fermanagh being relegated, while Armagh earned promotion.

When they met in the league, Armagh were able to build a lead early in the second half which Fermanagh never looked like clawing back and were eventually beaten 0-15 to 0-11.

It felt during the league game that Armagh were able to move through the gears when they needed to and open up a gap.

But Championsh­ip football is a different beast and Fermanagh’s performanc­e levels will have to increase significan­tly if they are to have any chances of upsetting the odds.

Armagh are a big, athletic, physical team that is full of pace.

In the likes of Ciaran Mackin, Stefan Campbell, Jarly Óg Burns and Greg Mccabe they have the capability of turning defence into attack in the blink of an eye.

And with Andrew Murnin, Conor Turbitt and Rory Grugan they have forwards that can score for free if given the space.

Add in the O’neill brothers, Oisin and Rian, and you just see the quality and strength in depth the Orchard County have.

Fermanagh will also have to learn some harsh lessons from the league campaign.

In several games, poor passing, skill execution or opposition pressure while

Ross Bogue was out of goals cost them dearly.

They were in the contest against Donegal until it happened.

Armagh had two opportunit­ies but with some last-ditch recovery and poor shooting, they failed to find the net.

Louth tore them asunder as Fermanagh played into their hands time and time again and were mercilessl­y picked off.

It looked like the final game of the league against Cavan showed lessons were learned and players were more secure in their actions and it reaped the rewards as they hit 2-14.

Fermanagh are unlikely to change their gameplan with Bogue coming out the field so it is vital the same mistakes are not repeated.

If Fermanagh are to beat Armagh they will need to find a goal or two and a good spread of scorers.

Garvan Jones showed what he is about with an imperious performanc­e against Cavan while Sean Cassidy has establishe­d himself as an inter-county corner forward.

There needs to be more scores coming from the half-forward line and midfield, however.

Declan Mccusker and Shane Mcgullion are always capable of rattling a few scores from the half-back line.

Racking up a decent scoreline has been difficult at times for Fermanagh. They averaged around 13 points in the league.

If it comes to a shootout with Armagh, Fermanagh could struggle.

But if their defence can get on top of Armagh’s attack and make it a real dogfight Fermanagh will be in with a chance.

With Che and Lee Cullen marshallin­g the defence and Ronan Mccaffrey likely to drop in and help out clogging up Brewster Park will suit Fermanagh.

Conditions

And speaking of Brewster Park, the heavier the sod the better against an Armagh side than cover the ground well.

Another aspect that could help Fermanagh is their bench.

Word of the return of Darragh Mcgurn, Johnny Cassidy and Aidan Breen to full fitness will boost options.

And if Josh Largo-elis and Brandon Horan are there as well it gives Fermanagh a strength in depth that they have not had this year.

Armagh’s recent Ulster Championsh­ip record is not great, bar last year.

There have been question marks over their credential­s when it comes to the crunch. The Division Two league final is the most recent example.

Some have said Armagh’s route is the easiest to an Ulster Final as they face Fermanagh and then Down.

If Fermanagh can remain competitiv­e the longer the game goes on and maybe nab a goal or two, who knows whose route to an Ulster Final people will be talking about come Sunday evening.

Like the game against Derry last year, it is something of a free shot.

A positive performanc­e however, will give optimism to Fermanagh Gaels for a fruitful summer.

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