Donegal seek revenge

Ulster champions Armagh take on the side they beat in last year’s final, Donegal, in Clones today.

Last year’s Ulster final, which took place in Croke Park for the first time, drew 67,136 supporters and St Tiernach’s Park is guaranteed to be a sell-out as Donegal look for revenge against the Orchard, who have added the league title to their cabinet since.

Armagh have enjoyed a period of dominance over Donegal, whose last victory was in 1993 when they won by 2-16 to 1-7 in a semi-final replay.

The sides drew in 1999 but since then Armagh have won four successive clashes with Donegal. This will be the fourth year in a row that the counties have met and the league champions are tipped to advance to the semi-finals.

Donegal manager Brian McEniff has included three debutants in his starting line-up for today’s clash.

Teenager Michael Boyle starts in goal in the absence of Paul Durcan, who has failed to recover from an ankle injury.

Four Masters’ Karl Lacey makes his first championship start at left wing-back, as does Glenswilly’s Neil Gallagher at midfield.

Star full-forward Adrian Sweeney has recovered from injury, while Brendan Boyle, who has been out for five months with a cruciate ligament injury, returns to the bench.

Armagh boss Joe Kernan has made one change to the side that overcame Fermanagh in the last round for today’s tie.

Paul McCormack returns to the defence from a shoulder injury, with Kevin McElvanna dropping to the bench.

Star forwards Steven McDonnell and Ronan Clarke take their places in attack despite earlier injury worries.

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

DONEGAL (SFC v Armagh): M Boyle; E McGee, R Sweeney, K Lacey; D Diver, B Monaghan, S Carr; N Gallagher, K Cassidy; C Toye, M Hegarty, B Roper; C McFadden, A Sweeney, B Devenney.