Phoney war ends as McIver sets focus on Armagh

THE spin-doctors have been working overtime before Sunday’s Armagh-Donegal tie, with the choice of venue being the battleground of choice.

The phoney war has stretched back as far as the draw itself with Ballybofey winning, then losing (to Clones), then winning back the right to host the game.

Both sides cried foul as decisions went one way and then the other but the fun and games have only increased since the final decision to Ballybofey.

Armagh, with a younger panel than in recent years, have been playing up the unfamiliar role of cubs entering the tiger’s den.

The response from Donegal has been furrowed brows and protestations that MacCumhaill Park’s tight confines will suit Joe Kernan’s side more than the spacious St Tiernach’s in Clones.

“All sides like home advantage in the championship, but all that talk about the venue goes out the window one way or another come four o’clock on Sunday,” said Donegal manager Brian McIver.

“It won’t make a difference whether it is being played in Ballybofey or Clones or Croke Park. Football is all about which side performs better on the day.”

It is 14 years and eight games since Donegal last won a championship game in this fixture but their hopes of ending that sorry sequence have been heartened by McIver’s assertion that Brendan Devenney is fully recovered from the stomach muscle injury that threatened his participation.

McIver names his first XV this evening, another morsel for the general public to chew on before a game that has captured the imagination since Donegal’s league campaign first gathered steam.

McIver went on record after the defeat of Mayo, asking that his players be given some space in which to prepare and get their heads together.

So he must be relieved that the waiting game is almost over.

“We knew as soon as the championship draw was made that this was going to be a massive game and we have been looking forward to it.

“Armagh are Ulster champions for the last three years, they have won six out of the last eight Ulster titles and have a formidable record this past 10 years against Donegal. We know the challenge that has been presented to us.”

No-one knows better. McIver guided Donegal to an Ulster final last year, his first in charge, only to fall short against Armagh for the fifth time in as many seasons. The experience left a major impression on the Ardboe man.

“Armagh had the experience of the last few years behind them going into that. Their record speaks for itself, but what really stood out for me was their leadership. They have guys like McGeeney and McGrane and McConville. These are guys who know when to put in that bit extra.”

Donegal have displayed similar traits this year, edging a succession of tight games that might have been beyond them 12 months ago. Every line of the pitch screams experience and class, while the spine looks robust.

The one asterisk beside the home side this weekend is, paradoxically, their league win. Kildare and Mayo were their victims in the knockouts stages but both have exited meekly from their respective provincial championships.

There may be only a handful of weeks separating the two competitions, but the NFL and All-Ireland are more distant cousins than close siblings.

“There is a greater intensity, there’s no doubt about it,” McIver agrees. “There’s a number of reasons for it. The league is an excellent competition but you can’t avoid the fact that players give that bit extra to the championship.

“Fitness levels are probably at their highest and the ground is that bit harder that it makes for a quicker game as well. The whole package adds up to make it that little bit extra special.”