Confidence is likely to be a scarce and precious commodity when Laois and Armagh come face to face in this Allianz Football League tie at O’Moore Park.
Both sides suffered heavy defeats last weekend, albeit against two of top sides in the country at the moment.
Laois were afforded home advantage against Cork after the Rebels were punished for indiscretions in their league opener against Armagh in the Morgan Athletic Grounds. But they may as well have been swimming in the River Lee for all the use it was to them.
Cork, who were inspired by the fit-again Colm O’Neill, totally dominated the game and were more than good value for their 2-14 to 0-10 victory.
The Midlanders were missing Padraig Clancy and Brendan Quigley, but their absences were still no excuse for the dismal display Justin McNulty’s men produced. Quigley returns to the side to partner John O’Loughlin at midfield this weekend, and you would expect his inclusion would lead to some improvement from the hosts.
Armagh, for their part, fared no better last weekend. The Orchard men travelled to Croke Park in good spirits, but were ripped apart by the rampant Dubs and ended up on the wrong end of a 4-14 to 1-10 scoreline.
It was an unexpected result, as Armagh had been enjoying a pretty good campaign up until that point, all things considered. Manager Paddy O’Rourke has had to contend without the Crossmaglen Rangers contingent, while ace marksman Steven McDonnell is still considering his future on the inter-county scene.
And while the result was ugly at Headquarters, the Ulster side are still one point ahead of Laois and Donegal.
McNulty will not want to be embarrassed by his native county, but his side have already been turned over on home soil by Mayo, Dublin and Cork. Armagh have shown enough thus far to suggest they can inflict further misery on their former stalwart.
Verdict: Armagh
