Cross quartet in line for U21 glory

Fresh from helping Crossmaglen to the AIB All-Ireland club football title last month, Paul Kernan, John Hanratty, Stephen Finnegan and David McKenna will be on hand tomorrow to help Armagh in their Cadbury's Ulster Under-21 football final showdown with Monaghan (Omagh, throw-in 3.30pm).

The foursome will hoping to guide Armagh to their second provincial U-21 title since 2004, and third in all since 1998.

Monaghan are also gunning for their third ever success in an Ulster U-21 final - they won previously in 1981 and 1999.

Armagh U-21 boss Peter McDonald, who can call on nine members of the senior squad, is expecting a tight tussle with an improving Monaghan side.

He said: "They are a fine footballing side, very fit and athletic. They will be formidable opponents."

McDonald has injury doubts over James Lavery, Kieran Toner and Kevin Dyas for tomorrow's game.

Monaghan are expected to include Ciaran Hughes, son of former All-Star and Farney great Nudie, in their starting line-up, as well as seniors Eoin Duffy, Shane Smith, Bernard O'Brien and James Ward, amongst others.