Injury concerns mount for Crokes

IF the grapevine is to be believed, Kilmacud Crokes have serious injury worries going into this game.

As if being without Paul Griffin and Darren Magee wasn’t bad enough, there are concerns over the fitness of corner-back Conor Lamb and the midfield partnership of Craig Dias and Paddy Duggan. Of the three, Dias is believed to be in the best shape but don’t rule out Dublin defender Rory O’Carroll coming into the fray for Lamb.

On paper, O’Carroll would be a more than able replacement but is seriously lacking match fitness even if he did play in a recent challenge game for the Blues. Just who Crokes decide to put on Jamie Clarke and Oisín McConville will be interesting. O’Carroll’s brother Ross has proven himself to be an excellent man-marker having kept Niall McNamee quiet last time out and would be the best defender to pick up the exciting Clarke.

Like Nemo Rangers, both Crokes and Crossmaglen have shown a great ability to think on their feet this year, sizing up their opponents during games then adjusting their style accordingly.

Crokes, though, have shown more character in getting this far. Like Crossmaglen, they have an abundance of talent but have an advantage in that they’ve the muscle to complement it (as strange as that is to write about Armagh). With the injury doubts, it will be sticky for Crokes but they can edge it.

* Verdict: Kilmacud Crokes