Armagh's eagerly-awaited Ulster SFC first round clash with neighbours Down will go head-to-head with the Champions League final on Saturday, May 28, even if Manchester United qualify for the Wembley decider.

United, who have a large following all over Ireland, have one foot in the final after their 2-0 first leg semi-final win over Schalke in Germany last week, but the Ulster Council won't have its championship schedule dictated by the big soccer final according to secretary Danny Murphy.

The Armagh-Down game at the redeveloped Athletic Grounds is due to start 15 minutes before the Champions League final. BBC NI are broadcasting the Armagh-Down clash live from 7.30pm, while RTE, UTV, Sky and TV3 will screen the expected Manchester United-Barcelona Champions League final from 7.45pm.

But Murphy told the Irish News: "The fixture list of the GAA was made last September, October and the Armagh-Down game was scheduled for television coverage on the Saturday night and it sticks to the 28th at 7.30pm.

"The game will go ahead. It is up to the supporters to make their determinations. But we can't simply plan campaigns on what might happen in two or three weeks' time. We can't simply turn round and start moving matches around at that short notice." Tweet

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