Preview: SF qualifier - Armagh v Wicklow

June 27, 2015

Armagh's Jamie Clarke with Ciaran Hyland of Wicklow.
©INPHO/Presseye/Matt Mackey.

Wicklow are the visitors to the Athletic Grounds today for the Round 1B qualifier as Armagh aim to get the bitter disappointment of their Ulster SFC display against Donegal out of their system.

For their part, the Garden County will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the 0-2 to 2-21 hammering they suffered at the hands of the Orchard County two years.

Despite the one-sided nature of that last meeting, Kieran McGeeney talked up today's opposition who gave a good account of themselves against Meath in the Leinster SFC quarter-final.

"Wicklow are probably not that big of underdogs," he remarked.

"They scored 3-12 and they missed a couple of good goal chances (against Meath) too. I played a lot of football against Wicklow in my time and they will hold no fear of Armagh."

'Geezer' has called up Michael Murray (right corner-back) and Sean Connell (left corner-back) to his starting 15 at the expense of Finnian Moriarty and Aaron Findon.

After the four-point defeat to Meath last time out, Wicklow manager Johnny Magee commented: "We came up with a game plan but we also came to play football as well. In fairness to the lads they stood up. They left their hearts out on the field for me, that's all I can ask for."

The former Dublin footballer will ask for more of the same today.

Verdict - Armagh.

Armagh team: Matthew McNeice; Michael Murray, Charlie Vernon, Sean Connell; Andy Mallon, Ciaran McKeever, James Morgan; Caolan Rafferty, Ethan Rafferty; Aidan Forker, Miceal McKenna, Tony Kernan; Stefan Campbell, Andrew Murnin, Jamie Clarke.

Wicklow team: tbc.

Match details: Saturday; The Athletic Grounds; 2.30pm; extra-time playable.

Referee: Eddie Kinsella.

Odds: Armagh 1/50, Draw 25/1, Wicklow 12/1.


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