Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Russian roulette as Armagh and Derry stir an intriguing cocktail

It is all well and good having brainwaves in the car, moving pieces around a tactics board or drawing patterns on a page; it is another thing altogether bringing that to the pitch

SURROUNDED: Players of both sides contest possession during the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi Final match between Derry and Monaghan at O'Neills Healy Park in Omagh, Tyrone. 

Tomorrow’s Ulster final is by far the most compelling of the provincial deciders. The genuine deep tradition that surrounds the fixture and the guaranteed competitiveness means there is much to look forward to, with storylines aplenty. Clones is sold out. Derry are looking to do their first back to back in Ulster since the mid seventies, a surpassing stat, to me at least. Armagh are back in the Ulster decider for the first time since 2008. Kieran McGeeney is striving to secure his first piece of silverware as an intercounty manager. 

Whatever effect the decision of Rory Gallagher to step aside as manager just 48 hours out from the game will have, it's hardly ideal preparation for an Ulster Final. Derry had been looking further down the road but will want to secure the Anglo Celt for a second consecutive season. If nothing else, the loser will land into a group with Galway and Tyrone in the All- Ireland series, which is to be avoided. It should be some battle and will not be for the faint hearted.