Barry McGinn the danger man as Monaghan bid to end long wait for Ulster final
Both teams are bidding to bridge fairly sizeable gaps to their last provincial final appearance at this level; 2009 for Armagh, 2007 was when Monaghan last featured in the decider.
The Farneymen had it all their own way in their quarter-final, running out 15-point winners in a game where opponents Fermanagh failed to register a single score in the second-half.
Centre-forward Barry McGinn, who top-scored with 1-5, will take watching this evening, as will Dessie Ward (wing-back) and Conor McCarthy (full-forward).
Armagh enjoyed a similar stroll in the park when putting 5-16 past Down in their quarter-final outing.
Rising Crossmaglen talent Oisin O’Neill kicked 1-6 from midfield while their full- forward line of Cathal McKenna, Shane McPartlan and Conor Martin hit 4-10 between them. Whichever defence can assert themselves could be decisive given the high tallies posted by either side last time out.
Monaghan
A repeat of last year’s decider which Tyrone shaded by a point. Both sides received fairly stiff examinations in their respective quarter-final fixtures and so will have a decent idea of where they stand heading into this evening’s game.
Starting members from last year’s All- Ireland winning team, Lee Brennan, Cathal MacShane, and Frank Burns, were to the fore in Tyrone’s 2-10 to 0-10 win over Cavan.
Tyrone were sluggish out of the blocks, as is to be expected in your first competitive game of the new season, but can’t afford such a lethargic start here.
Donegal required a Stephen McBrearty free in the fifth minute of second-half stoppages to see off Derry last time out. Midfielder Caolan McGonigle will need a big game tonight as will key forwards Jamie Brennan and McBrearty.
Tyrone
