Armagh v Dublin, 2.00pm, Parnell Park, Dublin
Armagh and Dublin are two of the top performing counties in the country but they have very little experience of playing against each other.
Separated by divisions in the league they have also been kept apart in the championship, until now. There is buckets of quality in these two sides that should add up to a very entertaining encounter.
Armagh achieved promotion to the top division of the league this year when producing a masterclass in the Division 2 decider against Donegal.
Although they relinquished their Ulster title they have still progressed nicely through the back door defeating Laois and Westmeath in close encounters before beating Donegal in the match of the year to date.
A criticism of Armagh in recent years is that they have had an over reliance on their inspirational captain Caroline O’Hanlon, but this is no longer valid.
Kelly Mallon and Fionnuala McKenna have helped to ease the scoring burden whilst a new star has been born in the shape of young sharp shooter, Aimee Mackin.
Aoife Lennon has also returned to the panel and has had a great impact with the Northern Ireland soccer international player scoring 1-03 against Donegal.
This is an Armagh side that is built on a solid defensive unit led by Sinead McCleary and Caoimhe Morgan, who will have to be on their toes against a pacey Dublin attack.
Dublin are a much changed team to the 2014 All-Ireland finalist version and are something of an unknown quantity despite their status of Leinster champions.
Several of the stars of last year’s campaign have since departed but in their place have come some precocious young talents.
Olwen Carey is a corner-back that is well capable of handling the most dangerous attackers around as is Fiona Hudson who made a welcome return after missing the 2014 campaign.
Molly Lamb has established herself as a top midfielder and is aided by the experience provided by her midfield partner, Sinead Goldrick.
Amy Connolly was very effective operating from centre forward whilst Nicole Owens only needs the smallest of chances to hit the net.
Noelle Healy has maintained her All Star form from last year as has captain Lyndsey Davey who seems to win impossible possession and acts as both scorer and creator for those around her. However, in Carla Rowe, Dublin have a real ace up their sleeve. The young attacker was an essential member of their panel last year but has since gone from strength to strength and is capable of winning matches on her own for Dublin.
This match is going to be a tense encounter with both teams tending to rely on solid defensive units before breaking at real pace. This might not be the highest scoring game but it will be enthralling with plenty of quality on show.
