NFL Division 2 Round 3
Armagh v Fermanagh
Athletic Grounds, Saturday @ 7.00pm
Referee – Cormac Reilly (Meath)
An Ulster derby lies ahead for Armagh and Fermanagh under the bright lights of the Athletics Grounds this Saturday evening with Setanta television also broadcasting the game.
Armagh will be looking to put their first points on the board having lost their opening games at the hands of Meath and Laois.
Fermanagh meanwhile will be looking to maintain their winning ways following their 0-10 to 0-6 victory over Meath, the Erne county losing their first game in the NFL Division 2 campaign against Damien Barton’s Derry.
The match sees the MacRory Cup Semi final clash between St Paul’s Bessbrook and St Ronan’s Lurgan act as a curtain raiser to the NFL Division 2 clash so a large home crowd is expected.
These sides met twice last year in Division 3 in the league series and the NFL Final with a draw and an Armagh win resulting in Armagh lifting the title in Croke Park. The league tie between the sides last year was a close encounter throughout with a late, late Ryan Jones point earning a share of the spoils for both Counties. The league final was a bit different with Armagh coming from behind to win 0-16 to 0-11 even though defender Finian Moriarty was sent off in the 27th minute.
For Armagh, it is hugely important that they get something on the board after two defeats thus far. With a further 3 Ulster sides waiting in their next 4 games after this one then it is clear that Kieran McGeeney’s side cannot afford to lose this game. McGeeney has stated, “Fermanagh are now eyeing promotion to Division One and we still have to get points on the board. That’s the reality of the situation but we are very hopeful that we will give a good account of ourselves next Saturday night.”
Net minder Matthew McNeice will most likely have the ever present Charlie Vernon in front of him. Stefan and Aidan Forker have looked sharp thus far and they will hope to give the attack an extra edge while operating from defence. Armagh have a number of players out including Crossmaglen duo Tony Kernan and James Morgan who both picked up hand injuries in the defeat to Castlebar in the All Ireland Club Semi final.
In the Armagh attack much praise has been heaped on Clann na Gael attacker Stefan Campbell and Grange’s Miceal McKenna. They will need to clock up the scores on Saturday night and along with Gavin McParland they will give the Fermanagh defence plenty to answer.
There is no doubting that Armagh will be well up for this game but they are meeting a Fermanagh side who are still brimming from confidence after an excellent win over Meath on Sunday February 7th. Pete McGrath is expected to make a few changes with the returning Martin O’Brien, Richard O’Callaghan and Ryan McCluskey pushing hard for a starting place. Ederney brothers Paul and Declan McCusker will be absent once again with the pair only returning from Australia of the morning of the game.
Goalkeeper Thomas Treacy will be pushing Chris Snow for the number 1 spot, while in defence Michael Jones, Che Cullen and James McMahon have all impressed in the opening two rounds.
In Fermanagh’s attack Ryan Jones will look to supply the ball into a deadly full forward line most likely made up of the Corrigan brothers and Sean Quigley.
Home advantage will be key for the Kieran McGeeney managed Armagh outfit if they’re to get back to winning ways. Although Fermanagh didn’t read the script last season and more than fully deserved a point from the 1-10 draw.
Interestingly Armagh have still to score a goal in this campaign while Fermanagh have raised a green flag once in their NFL matches to date. On Saturday the team that manages to raise the more green flags will be more than likely secure the two points. There is never much between Armagh and Fermanagh and so for both teams they will need to perform for the full sixty minutes and whatever team can do that should gather a further 2 points.
Odds
Armagh 4/7
Fermanagh 9/5
Draw 8/1
Top Scorer in NFL 2016
Stefan Campbell (Armagh) 0-7
Tomas Corrigan (Fermanagh) 0-7
