ARMAGH have had just over a week to surmise what happened against Tyrone in the Ulster final, and manager Paul McShane believes they will be all the better for the experience.
The Orchard Minors play Cork in the All-Ireland quarter-finals on Saturday (July 31).
"We are lucky to have a second chance against Cork. I suppose we never saw that beating coming, and it was very disappointing on the day, " said McShane.
“But there are times when you learn more from a defeat that you do in victory, and we have learned a lot about this team and they have learned a lot about themselves, and they are very keen to put it right."
McShane's men were roundly beaten by Dublin in the Ulster minor league, and came back with a big performance against Down. McShane knows the character is there.
He added: "They have proved it before, they have come back this year, but this is knock out football now and we know there is no safety net any more."
Armagh will know that a performance like that in the Ulster final will mean a defeat. Without Peter Carragher, they seemed leaderless, and every man will know they can play better, and have one more chance to prove it. Cork won the Munster championship and will be an extremely hard test for Paul McShane's men.
Brian Hurley is the star of the Rebel County, hitting 1-6 out of their 1-8 in the final against Kerry, and will have to be keenly marked. Colm Hoey has performed well at full back this year, and with Ruairi McCaughley and Ronan Finnegan on either side, they have held most forward lines tight. A similar performance will be needed against Cork.
Armagh's half back line can be the team’s most impressive and important line.
Both Dean Nugent and Niall McConville attack well, and can drop into the defensive duties.
James King is a rock at centre half back. It will be a busy week for the Keady man, who is part of the Armagh U21 hurling squad who play in the Ulster Final, tomorow night (Wednesday).
The midfield line depends on the fitness of Carragher. More than just a captain, the Silverbridge man exudes leadership, which was lacking against Tyrone. With Carragher fit Armagh can be devastating but without him, they lack the capabilities to dominate.
The six forwards were in devastating form in the early Championship Rounds against both Derry and Monaghan.
However, this has gone missing in the last two games and a repeat performance will spell defeat. The talent is there, and on their day Aidan Forker, Barry Seeley and Paul McGeown can be a deadly combination.
The performance of Ryan Conlon after his Ulster final appearance will leave him pushing for a place, and many of the forward line will be looking over their shoulders.
Armagh will know that a repeat performance of the Ulster Final will mean the end of their journey this year, but they are due a big game, and if the forward line click they will give Cork a lot of problems.