Armagh goalkeeper Paul Hearty has praised team mate Francie Bellew for the rapid recovery the defender has made to return early from this year for the Orchard County. Bellew suffered from back and shoulder problems which ultimately ruled him out of last year's All-Ireland Championship but the Crossmaglen clubman returned against Cavan in Armagh's opening round of the Championship where he played a pivotal role once more in the number three jersey for his county, and Hearty was glad to see him in front of him in defence again. "Probably a lot of people doubted he could get back, at 32 or whatever he is, but Francie being Francie he just strolled through the rehabilitation," said the Armagh 'keeper. "He had a tough year of it between the stuff he had to do between the shoulder and the knee so he's back, probably ahead of schedule, and performing very well. He's a great man, doesn't say much as everybody knows, and has just got on with his business. "I am delighted to have him there. He's been in front of me for quite a few years now and it would be strange not to see him there." Armagh will be seeking Ulster title number 13 in the county's history when they go toe-to-toe with Fermanagh this Sunday, and Hearty believes that the Erne men will prove tough opposition for the Clones encounter, stressing that Armagh "are definitely up against it after the way Fermanagh defeated two of the leading contenders for Sam Maguire at the start of the year." "Ourselves and Fermanagh were not talked of that much but here we are contesting an Ulster final. It will be interesting." Tweet

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