Armagh seek revenge on Fermanagh

Joe Kernan's provincial and league champions Armagh kick off the 2005 Ulster football championship today as they clash with last year's surprise package, Fermanagh, at Clones.

The Orchard are red-hot favourites and will be out for revenge as Charlie Mulgrew's side scored a last-gasp victory to end Armagh's championship run and advance as the most unlikely candidates to the All-Ireland semi-finals.

In the interim, Armagh have gone from strength to strength - losing only their league opener to Wexford, who they went on to trounce in the final three weeks ago.

Fermanagh failed to make an impression in Division 2 and injuries have deprived them of a number of key players over the course of the season.

One of those, All Star midfielder Martin McGrath, has lost his battle for fitness and is named on the bench today.

McGrath was hospitalised with a viral infection last week and despite having returned to training, was not deemed fit enough to start. His place in midfield goes to James Sherry.

Corner-back Shane Goan and corner-forward Adrian Little make their championship debuts for last year's All-Ireland semi-finalists.

However, cousins Rory and Raymond Gallagher, who rejoined the panel earlier in the year, have missed out on places in Mulgrew's starting line-up.

As expected, Armagh boss Joe Kernan has kept faith with the side that beat Wexford in the league final.

Three Orchard men will make their championship debuts - wing-backs Aaron Kernan (a son of the manager) and Ciaran McKeever, along with left corner-forward Brian Mallon.

ARMAGH (SFC v Fermanagh): P Hearty; A Mallon, F Bellew, P McCormack; A Kernan, K McGeeney, C McKeever; J Toal, P McGrane; M O'Rourke, J McEntee, O McConville; S McDonnell, R Clarke, B Mallon.

FERMANAGH (SFC v Armagh): N Tinney; S Goan, B Owens, R; McCluskey; R Johnston, S McDermott, D O'Reilly; L McBarron, J Sherry; E Maguire, T Brewster, M Little; A Little, S Maguire, C Bradley.