Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney has named an unchanged starting team for their Ulster SFC clash with Down.
That means there is no place in the first 15 for Rian O’Neill, despite his late heroics against Cavan last weekend.
The Crossmaglen attacker made a remarkable late save to deny Tiarnan Madden in Kingspan Breffni last Saturday evening and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if he is a late addition to the team before throw-in.
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Barry McCambridge and James Morgan are included among the substitutes after missing the win over Cavan, but Tiernan Kelly misses out once again.
Down boss Conor Laverty has made one change from last Sunday’s shock win over Donegal.
Conor Poland is recalled to the starting 15 while Shane Annett drops to the bench. Poland is included at midfield alongside Ryan McEvoy with Daniel Guinness named at left half-back.
Team line-outs
Key battles
Daniel Guinness vs Stefan Campbell
Down have plenty of pace in their attack, but they’ve also a host of defenders who can cause damage.
Danny Magill and Miceal Rooney will attack from deep as will Daniel Guinness, who was one of the best players when the Mournemen defeated Donegal last Sunday.
He could be tasked with marking Stefan Campbell, who has been playing much deeper in recent outings. They would be fairly evenly matched in terms of physicality and it would make for an intriguing battle.
Ryan Johnston vs Ciaran Mackin
Ryan Johnston has been passed fit to start on Sunday after being taken off in the closing stage of the Donegal victory as a precaution.
He scored three points in Newry last Sunday and was fouled for the penalty. The Kilcoo ace will need watching in the open spaces of St Tiernach’s Park.
With James Morgan and Barry McCambridge not starting, Armagh might turn to Ciaran Mackin to do a job on Johnston with Aaron McKay or Aidan Forker likely to mark Down full-forward Pat Havern.
Ben Crealey vs Ryan McEvoy
Armagh have struggled for a settled midfield partnership for a few seasons now, but they have named Ben Crealey and Shane McPartlan at eight and nine for three Championship games in succession.
Crealey has been excellent in both wins over Antrim and Cavan and he took his goal well in Kingspan Breffni last Saturday night.
It was a surprise to see Ryan McEvoy lining out at midfield and not full-back last Sunday, but the Kilcoo star is a great reader of the game and endured the Mournemen broke even around the middle third. He’ll be hoping they can do likewise in Clones.
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