With Kerry safely through to the Bank of Ireland All-Ireland senior football decider, Dublin and Armagh meet on Sunday in the second semi-final at Croke Park to decide who will join them. Dublin would appear to be most people's favourites, however the 'underdog' tag could suit Armagh, who have not won a game in Croke Park since 1977.
Tommy Lyons' men go into the game with impressive victories over Kildare, Meath and Donegal, but there is one worrying aspect regarding their scoring potential - take Ray Cosgrove out of the equation and you see a very weakened attacking force. And tigerish defender Justin McNulty will not be inclined to allow sharpshooter Cosgrove too much space to display his undoubted finishing talent.
Armagh hold their real aces up front, however. In Ronan Clarke, Oisin McConville and Stephen McDonnell, Armagh have potentially the best scoring forwards in the country with the exception of Kerry. So it will not be all plain sailing for Tommy Lyons and his crew but the Orchard county's Croker hoodoo might just come back to haunt them.
Joe Kernan's side start with the same 15 that lined out against Sligo in the drawn quarter-final, with the only change from the replayed match being the deployment of Paddy McKeever in the half-forward line in place of Barry O'Hagan. Dublin have made one change for the sell-out encounter, with Shane Ryan replacing the injured Colin Moran. Dessie Farrell has fended off competition from Jason Sherlock and retains his place in the starting line-up after doubts had been expressed about his fitness.
The match throws in at 3.30pm and is preceded by the All-Ireland minor football semi-final between surprise Leinster package Longford and Ulster champions Derry (2pm start).
ARMAGH TEAM: B Tierney, E McNulty, J McNulty, F Bellew, A O'Rourke, K McKeeney, A McCann, J Toal, P McGrane, P McKeever, J McEntee, O McConville, S McDonnell, R Clarke, D Marsden.
DUBLIN TEAM: S Cluxton, B Cahill, P Christie, C Coggins, P Casey, J Magee, P Andrews, C Whelan, D Magee, S Connell, J McNally, S Ryan, A Brogan, R Cosgrove, D Farrell.
Filed by James Boylan.
