Monaghan ‘Armed’ for battle in local derby
COLM SHALVEY COMMENTARY
Monaghan face another Ulster derby when Armagh make the familiar journey to Clones for Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC Round 2 Qualifier. Armagh have been infrequent visitors to Clones in recent years, with their first-round extra-time win over Down being their first time to clear the Ulster first round since 2002 All-Ireland-winning captain Kieran McGeeney took charge of his native county for the 2015 campaign.
This is Armagh’s third game at St. Tiarnach’s Park this month, however, after their provincial semi-final against Cavan went to a replay, which saw the Breffni men win a high-scoring shoot-out. Cavan, of course, had ended Monaghan’s Ulster hopes in the previous round, but Malachy O’Rourke’s side got back to winning ways in a tense arm-wrestle with Fermanagh last time out.
It has been a campaign where Monaghan have struggled to build any momentum, with this weekend’s game seeing the 2018 All-Ireland semi-finalists, who had a six-game unbeaten run through…
