Armagh assistant manager Donal Murtagh admits the Orchard County must turn in a vastly improved performance against Dublin next weekend - or risk an embarrassing defeat at the Athletic Grounds.

The Saturday night encounter marks the first really big game at the newly-redeveloped venue, with a large crowd expected at the 19,500-capacity stadium.

Armagh go into that game on the back of a desperately disappointing Barrett Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup defeat in midweek at the hands of a St Mary's University College side which had put up little resistance in previous games against Antrim and Down.

The absence of a host of key players, including the Crossmaglen Rangers contingent and defensive stalwarts Ciaran McKeever (pictured) and Andy Mallon, was a mitigating factor but Murtagh acknowledges that Paddy O'Rourke's men must find a new level in time for the visit of the Dubs in eight days' time.

He told the Irish News, "We wouldn't be happy with what we saw. I'd be expecting a big improvement [against Dublin].

"If we don't improve we'll be soundly beaten. It would be nice to start the League with a win in the new ground but as I say, we'll have to improve for it." Tweet

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