Monaghan manager Gabriel Bannigan feels his side are playing for the second biggest prize in Gaelic football this weekend.

After their remarkable comeback victory over Derry a fortnight ago, the Farney men face Armagh this Sunday in the Ulster senior football championship final where they’ll be looking to earn their county’s first Anglo-Celt Cup success in 11 years.

Speaking to BBC Sport NI this week, Bannigan described the coveted trophy in the northern province as being second only to the Sam Maguire Cup.

"Winning an Ulster final is still a big prize," said the Aughnamullen clubman.

"If you look at the [All-Ireland] draw, whether we win or lose [against Armagh] we still have a very tough draw but we'll deal with that after the Ulster final.

"The Ulster final is the second biggest prize in Gaelic football in my opinion. That's no disrespect to the other provinces, but it's same in hurling with the Munster championship being second to Liam MacCarthy."

On Sunday’s opposition, he added: "You give every opponent due respect when looking at their strengths and where we might be able to get at them. We will have a bit of focus on Armagh and their strengths, but my biggest job is to focus on Monaghan and getting our players playing to the best of their ability.

"Armagh will have to worry about our game-plan too, but championship football is all on the day and whatever has gone before is irrelevant."

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