PROMOTION IN 'OUR' HANDS

ARMAGH and Down have their promotion ambitions in their own hands with wins in their penultimate games this weekend securing an Easter weekend in Croke Park.

Armagh must beat Cavan in their penultimate league game at Box-It Athletic Grounds on Saturday, (March 16) at 5pm, to be certain of a return to top flight football.

It will be far from routine judging from the history between the sides, an age-old rivalry that dates back to the 1930’s.

Armagh are two points ahead of the Breffni men in the table but defeat would bring them level and should Cavan win over Fermanagh in their final outing, irrespective of how Armagh would fare away at Cork wrapping up their programme, then it would be Cavan on the head-to-head that would be promoted.

However, a draw may be suffice, as that would leave Armagh still two points ahead and even should they lose to Cork and Cavan defeat Fermanagh, scoring difference may come into play and that could mean Armagh going back to Division 1. It could very well end up a three-way tie at the top should Donegal lose one of their remaining games and the issue would really be decided on scoring difference.

Armagh are unbeaten and Cavan have only lost once to Donegal. Both teams have had draws, Armagh against Donegal, Cavan against Meath.

Down make the trip to Mullingar on St Patrick's Day, where a win would secure their promotion to Division Two and a place in the Division Three Final.

The Mourne men and Westmeath are joint top of the table on ten league points each, which means the winners of this game would advance on head-to-head county should it be needed although Down's scoring difference is vastly superior.

Down's last game is at home to Clare, who are waiting on either Westmeath or the Mourne men to slipup, on eight national league points.

The players told the Democrat last week that they will be contesting Sunday'sgame as a final, because it can be season defining.

Down will hope to have Burren's Odhran Murdock back playing after he sat out the victory over Sligo and they'll want his club-mate Liam Kerr to continue is fine form, while Magill brothers Danny and Ryan are making big impressions too. Saval's Pat Havern is the first on the team-sheet, while Kilcoo's trio of Ryan McEvoy, Ceilum Doherty and Ryan Johnston have been oustanding.

Westmeath will be a tough nut to crack on their own home patch. Fan favourite Kieran Martin may not start but he'll be hard to stop when introduced.

Ronan O'Toole is a lively player that picks off big scores and Down will want to keep the ball away from him, while Nigel Harte has to work-rate of a horse and knows where the posts are too.

In Divison Two, Armagh are still missing key players, the O’Neill brothers Rian and Oisin have sampled little of the league action, James Morgan, Niall Grimley, Ethan Rafferty and Shane McPartlan have had no game time whilst the likes of Ben Crealey, Tiernan Kelly, Aidan Nugent, Ciaran Higgins and Ross McQuillan have had limited time. It’s imperative that Armagh field their strongest selection if they are to travel to Cork with the pressure off.

Cavan may not have Gearoid McKiernan on board, the hero of so many Cavan triumphs in the past, but under new boss Raymond Galligan, but a more youthful and exciting squad has been assembled. Still backboned by experienced players such as captain Padraig Faulkner, Killian Clarke, and Cian Madden, they have already shown in the league, their steady rise from Division Three football. Defenders Niall Caolan, Killian Brady, Jason. McLoughlin and Brian O’Connell will make like difficult for the Orchard forwards whilst outfield players Ciaran, Ryan and Oisin Brady, Gearoid and James Smith will keep the home defence on their toes. Cavan will hunt in packs and attempt to force Armagh into turnovers all across the field and hit them on their break.

Their most dangerous forward is Paddy Lynch, but they are far from a one-man band.

Armagh have the players to put Cavan to the sword. Aaron McKay has been excellent, Greg McCabe impressive, while Conor Turbitt, Andrew Murnin and Oisin Conaty have racked up scores.

This is probably a game where Armagh will need to see more of Jarly Og Burns and Oisin O'Neill, although manager Kieran McGeeney is not lacking options.

Both Armagh and Down are in the position that they want to be in, so it is up to them to make it count.

Armagh v Cavan on Saturday (March 16) at 5pm

Westmeath v Down on St Patrick’s Day at 3pm.