ALL IRELAND SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER. Monaghan v Armagh: Clones; Saturday July 4th @ 7.00pm. Had results gone a little differently in their respective quarter-finals this Saturday's meeting between Monaghan and Armagh could have been an equally high-profile Ulster championship semi-final but it has lost nothing in terms of its attractiveness as it is the pick of the eight qualifier games that are being staged at this weekend. In some ways it was probably the draw that both would have preferred to have avoided but against that it was the draw that threw up a game that helped both to concentrate the minds on staging a run in the qualifiers after exiting the Ulster championship. The game affords both an ideal opportunity to recover some of the ground that they lost through defeat in the Ulster championship, Monaghan to re-establish their credentials after taking a battering in certain sections of the media following their defeat by Derry, and Armagh to reinvigorate their season following a disappointing defeat at the hands of the All Ireland champions. Seamus McEnaney and his charges will be under no illusions as to the task facing them in Clones as Armagh always prove to be tough opposition even though they are going through something of a transitional period at this particular time. Armagh have dominated the Ulster senior football championship for most of the last 10 years and have played in more Ulster finals in that time than any other county in the province. More recently though they have suffered due to the retirement of some of their more senior players like Paul McGrane, Oisin McConville and the McEntees but Armagh still have a strong supply line with good talented players coming through. That was seen to good effect with the way in which Armagh fought back in the latter stages of their game against Tyrone after going eight points behind to bring the margin down to three and put Tyrone through a nervous finish. It could well have been closer on that occasion but for a series of missed opportunities particularly in the first half when Armagh were dominating play. Peter McDonnell will look for an improvement in that regard and Monaghan too will be seeking to engineer a better return for their efforts than they did against Derry. Monaghan out played Derry for most of the first half in Celtic Park but failed to capitalise on a series of chances that saw them hit 8 wides and more crucially drop four short to the Derry keeper, chances that could have pushed the game beyond Derry's reach even at the half way mark. That was not how it panned out for either though and both are now left to try and extend their championship summer in the very unpredictable waters of the qualifier system. SO WHERE WILL IT BE WON AND LOST. There will be so much to examine in what will be another tactical battle that it is difficult to assess just where either side can carve out a victory. Hunger to succeed will not be a problem for either side but hunger alone will not ensure victory. Defences certainly will be key areas and Monaghan will be looking to their experienced players like Dessie Mone, Dermot McArdle and Gary McQuade along with Damien Freeman and Darren Hughes to restrict the influence of the likes of Ronan Clarke, Stephen McDonnell and Martin O'Rourke, all potential match winners in their own right. McDonnell will nominally line out at corner forward but Armagh manager Peter McDonnell seems to be opting to play him out around the half forward line so that he can link up with Kevin and Martin O'Rourke and while that did not materialise sufficiently in the game against Tyrone McDonnell may stick with the tactic and hope to get better quality ball in to Ronan Clarke in the scoring area. Armagh too will be looking to improve on their use of possession and particularly in the final third of the field although they could well opt for a long ball game given that Ronan Clarke would enjoy aerial advantage on the Monaghan full-back line. Against that big Brendan Donaghy at full-back for Armagh will be relied on to nullify the threat of either Raymond Ronaghan or Rory Woods. Midfield will be a key area with Kieran Toner and James Lavery developing a good understanding for Armagh but Eoin Lennon and Dick Clerkin or a Lennon/ Paul Finlay combination is well capable of giving Monaghan sway in that particular sector. The big talking point about the Monaghan attack is whether Tomas Freeman will be available. His presence would be a major boost to Monaghan while his absence would give a certain psychological advantage to the opposition in that they would see him as being worth at least four or five points if not more in every match. Armagh though will be aware that he was yellow carded in the first minute of their most recent league meeting in the Athletic Grounds and Monaghan still went on to carve out a victory. Neither side will make many changes from the teams that played against Derry and Tyrone respectively but Armagh manager, Peter McDonnell may be tempted to introduce Stefan Forker for a first championship start as he was impressive when introduced against Tyrone. McDonnell too is expecting to have Charlie Vernon back after being out with a broken jaw that he suffered in an off the ball incident in a challenge game against Dublin and his return would give him further options. If Tomas Freeman is available for Monaghan then he will line out at top of the left but if his case at the DRA is not heard or does not go as people hope it will, then that position would most probably be taken by either Mark Downey or Ciaran Hanratty. The game has been billed as the top pairing in the opening round of the qualifiers and it has the potential to produce a real thriller although as an Ulster local derby it probably will be too tactical and tight marking to burst into the type of contest that people imagine all championship matches should be. Seamus McEnaney or Peter McDonnell will not be unduly worried about that as the aim of the mission by both is victory and entry into the draw for the next round, a round that will also include the defeated championship semi finalists. CHANGES. Monaghan and Armagh last met in the Ulster senior football championship back in 2006 but there have been a few changes in personnel since then. Only seven of the Armagh players who started against Monaghan back in 2006 played against Tyrone in this year's first round while Monaghan are a little better off with 11 of the players who started against Derry back on May 24th were in action against Armagh back in 2006, giving Monaghan perhaps a slight edge in experience. Monaghan's survivors from 2006 are, Dermot McArdle, Damien Freeman, Gary McQuaid, Vincent Corey, Eoin Lennon, Dick Clerkin, Paul Finlay, Stephen Gollogly, Tomas Freeman, Raymond Ronaghan and Rory Woods. Armagh's survivors are Andy Mallon, Kieran McKeever, Aarom Kernan, Brian Mallon, Stephen McDonnell, Paul Duffy and Ronan Clarke. PREVIOUS MEETINGS. 42ND CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. This will be the 42nd championship meeting between Monaghan and Armagh since they first met in the Ulster championship back in 1909 when Monaghan won by 1-7 to 0-3. Of the last 10 championship meetings between 1970 and 2006, one of which was a qualifier game in 2001, Armagh have won five, Monaghan 4 and two took a replay to decide, the semi-final of the 1985 Ulster senior football championship and the quarter final in 2006. Overall though since 1909 the statistics favour Monaghan because of the 41 championship meetings over the years Monaghan have won 20, Armagh have won 16 and five have been drawn. Both are assigning the tag of favourites to the other entering Saturday's game but neither will take nothing for granted and Monaghan are well capable of another high profile Orchard raid. The sides have also met in the league in the last two seasons with Monaghan shading the result on both occasions. CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS: 1970 to 2006. 1970 Monaghan 3-7, Armagh 1-7 quarter final 1977 Armagh 2-12, Monaghan 3-5 semi final 1979 Monaghan 2-10, Armagh 2-8 semi final 1980 Armagh 0-12, Monaghan 0-5 semi final 1984 Armagh 2-8, Monaghan 0-9 semi final 1985 Monaghan 1-11, Armagh 2-7 semi final replay 2001 Armagh 2-12, Monaghan 0-10 All Ireland qualifier 2003 Monaghan 0-13, Armagh 0-9 preliminary round 2004 Monaghan 0-10, Armagh 2-19 quarter final. 2006 Monaghan 0-10, Armagh 0-10 (14/5/06 Clones) replay Monaghan 0-10, Armagh 1-13 (21/5/06 Clones). 2nd QUALIFIER MEETING. 2001 Bank of Ireland SFC Qualifier, Armagh 2-12, Monaghan 0-10. This is the second time Monaghan and Armagh have met in the qualifiers and victory in their first All Ireland qualifying championship match against Armagh proved a bridge too far for Monaghan in Clones on Saturday June 30th 2002 with the Orchard county men slamming the back door firmly shut in a game where they had the end result well wrapped quite some time before the final whistle. Armagh look to be well back on track following their display on Saturday as they proved too strong for Monaghan in most sectors particularly in the second half and they used that strength and their superior teamwork to good effect in an increasingly dominant third quarter that saw them end the game as a contest at that stage. Armagh were by far the superior side, they looked stronger in every sector and when they upped the tempo in a particularly impressive third quarter Monaghan simply had no answer. Goals win championships and Armagh's two strikes on the Monaghan citadel were key scores, the first by John Toal after only three minutes getting them off to the perfect start and the second by Stephen McDonnell in the 13th minute of the second half effectively sealing victory for them. Monaghan by contrast were again in wasteful mood and while Armagh did waste some chances themselves their profligacy was not nearly as costly as they were able to capitalise that much better on the opportunities that came their way. Armagh led at half-time by 1-4 to 0-3 and while both sides should have had more scores on the board at that stage Monaghan had greater cause to rue a series of missed chances that saw them hit nine wides in the first half. On the resumption Armagh extended their lead to six points within eight minutes of the restart with scores from Martin O'Rourke and an Oisin McConville free and effectively sealed victory with an increasingly dominant third quarter performance to hit a goal and four points in 17 minutes as opposed a single point by Monaghan. The goal was the final nail in Monaghan's coffin as Armagh punished a slight mistake when Monaghan lost possession in midfield and in a lightning move where four players handled in as many seconds Stephen McDonnell rifled to the back of the net to end any hope that Monaghan had of making it a close contest. TEAMS AND SCORERS; ARMAGH: Paul Hearty, Enda McNulty, Gerard Reid, Justin McNulty, Aidan O'Rourke, Kieran McGeeney, Andrew McCann, Tony McEntee, Paul McGrane, John McEntee, Barry O'Hagan 0-3, John Toal 1-0, Steven McDonnell 1-3, Martin O'Rourke 0-1, Oisin McConville 0-4. Subs: Diarmuid Marsden for J. Toal, Paddy McKeever for J. McEntee, Cathal O'Rourke 0-1 for M. O'Rourke, Kevin McElvanna for E. McNulty. MONAGHAN: Glen Murphy, Noel Marron, Dermot McDermott, Gary McQuaid, Colm Flanagan, John Paul Mone, Stephen McGeough, James McElroy, Jason Hughes, Tomas Freeman 0-3, Gary Meehan 0-1, Dermot McArdle 0-1, Fergal Mone, Raymond Ronaghan, Ciaran Tavey 0-1. Subs: Rory Mone 0-2 for G. Meehan, Damien Freeman 0-1 for C. Tavey. Referee: John Bannon (Longford). LAST CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. THE 2006 QUARTER FINAL REPLAY. Armagh 1-13, Monaghan 0-10. A power packed second half performance saw Armagh's record in championship replays further enhanced when they finished with six points to spare over Monaghan in Clones on the evening of Saturday May 21st 2006 to deservedly advance to the semi-final after the sides had finished all square at 0-10 each the previous Sunday. The improvement in Armagh's performance was plainly visible and their control of that central diamond was crucial to this victory with Paul McGrane in dominant form. Monaghan got off to the better start and three early points from Rory Woods, Paul Finlay and Tom Freeman had things looking promising for the home side. In that opening flurry too Monaghan had a great chance of a goal when Tom Freeman found himself clear behind the Armagh cover but his shot was just wide of Ciaran McKinney's right-hand post. That was one of two goal chances that Monaghan spurned in the first half and their frustration didn't end there as they hit seven wides and saw another four or five efforts fall short to the Armagh keeper. Armagh on the other hand took full advantage of the goal chance that came their way when Brian Mallon crashed to the Monaghan net in the 17th minute to put his side in front for the first time after Oisin McConville and Mallon himself had registered points in the 13th and 15th minutes. The second quarter saw the sides exchange points twice with Armagh still holding a two-points advantage at the break, Armagh 1-5, Monaghan 0-6. Ronan Clarke extended Armagh's lead within twelve seconds of the restart and the big full forward was to play a vital role in Armagh's improving second-half performance. A brace of points from Paul Finlay and Tom Freeman in the third and fourth minutes saw Monaghan bring the margin down to the minimum but they were unable to close the gap completely. Armagh too were in somewhat wasteful mood in the second-half during which they hit nine wides but crucially they were also able to frustrate Monaghan's attempts at scoring and break for vital points on counter-attacks. A brace of points from Oisin McConville and Stephen McDonnell restored Armagh to a three points lead entering the final quarter and from there to the finish Armagh took increasing control and four points without reply in the final fourteen minutes saw them deservedly wrap up a semi-final spot. Teams and Scorers: Armagh: Ciaran McKinney, Andy Mallon, Tony McEntee, Enda McNulty, Aaron Kernan, Ciaran McKeever, Paul Duffy 0-1, Kieran McGeeney, Paul McGrane, Paddy McKeever 0-1, Brian Mallon 1-1, Malachy Mackin, Steven McDonnell 0-3, Ronan Clarke 0-2, Oisin McConville 0-5. Subs: Peadar Toal for R Clarke. Monaghan: Shane Duffy, Dermot McArdle, James Coyle, Colm Flanagan, Damien Freeman, Gary McQuaid, Vincent Corey, Eoin Lennon, Dick Clerkin 0-1, Paul Finlay 0-4, Stephen Gollogly, Hugh McElroy, Tomas Freeman 0-2, Raymond Ronaghan, Rory Woods 0-3. Subs: Paul McGuigan for R Ronaghan, Kieran Tavey for S Gollogly, Ciaran Hanratty for H McElroy. Referee: Derek Fahy (Longford). MONAGHAN MANAGER, Seamus McEnaney hasn't changed his mind about the task facing Monaghan on Saturday. "I said this was the toughest possible draw Monaghan could have got and it is definitely the game of this opening round given that Armagh have been the kingpins of Ulster football for the last 10 years or so. We know Armagh and we know what is coming because they have not been in seven or eight of the last ten Ulster finals for nothing. It's a difficult task and it will be all the more difficult without one of our best forwards because at this stage we have to work on the assumption that Tommy Freeman will not be available. Looking at it I could feel that it's probably more important to be regarded as a lucky manager in these things but I certainly don't fit the category of a lucky one as far as fixtures are concerned but I can tell you we got no favours from anyone on any aspect of our games this year". After the initial shock Seamus McEnaney did agree though that as a pairing it would certainly bring the best out in Monaghan. "This is a high-profile game and as I said it is the game of the round. In fact this could have been the Ulster semi-final if results in the earlier round had gone differently but look, if we want to progress in this year's championship then we'll just have to be prepared and able to meet teams of the calibre of Armagh. I'm not exaggerating when I say it's a very difficult draw but it is a challenge. Its a new challenge for this team and we will have to draw on all our experience. I can also say that I am excited about the challenge for the team and myself and the other members of the backroom team. We could have drawn different opposition that would be regarded as weaker but from the moment the two names came out of the hat together last Sunday evening week it has galvanised us and we have focused on nothing else since". The suggestion that the game being in Clones gave home advantage to Monaghan was instantly dismissed by the Monaghan manager who would believe that Clones is more a home to Armagh than it is to Monaghan. "Playing in Clones is no disadvantage to Armagh because they have played more championship games than Monaghan there over the last 10 years, in fact they could possibly have played twice as many championship games in Clones as we have. Any way you look at it this is a tough assignment. We were in the tough end of the Ulster championship as well along with Armagh, Derry and Tyrone v Armagh and this draw doesn't make it any easier. In fact it is harder but that's what we have to be able to do if we want to progress, to be able to play and beat the likes of Armagh and get up there among the top teams". RTE pundit Kevin McStay would rate Armagh as favourites. "I saw them against Tyrone and I thought they did very well and with a bit of luck could have taken the result. They work the ball well and if they can get good ball in to Ronan Clarke then they could cause Monaghan problems". Tweet

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