Monaghan manager Seamus McEnaney wasn't in the least bit surprised by Armagh's qualification for the Ulster SFC final at Down's expense last Sunday. McEnaney was in Clones to witness the Orchard County's four-point win and was very impressed with what he saw. "We played them in the league and I've said all along that Armagh will be a tough nut for anyone to crack this season," he said. "In Steven McDonnell and Ronan Clarke up front, they have the best full forward pairing in the country and Stephen Kernan is, I think, the most improved player in the championship this season. "What they've got is an excellent blend of youth and experience that will be hard for any team to handle." Armagh will face Fermanagh in the provincial decider in Clones on July 20 - some 24 hours after Monaghan square up to Derry in another massive all-Ulster All-Ireland qualifier clash at the same venue. While admitting that a 3pm throw-in on a Saturday doesn't suit everyone, Monaghan chairman John Connolly said they would have run the risk of losing home advantage if they had sought an evening switch. "Obviously three o'clock is a bad time for a Saturday match but we don't want to lose our home advantage for such a big game and that was our best option because the Ulster final is there the next day," he said. Tweet

Most Read Stories