By Shaun Casey

GREG McCabe has returned to the Armagh starting line-up as Kieran McGeeney announces his team to take on Down this Sunday at Clones.

The Shane O’Neill’s clubmen was one of five players that picked up knocks the Monday before Armagh’s quarter-final win over Fermanagh, but is back in the team.

Ben Crealey is gone for the season while Callum O’Neill remains on the treatment table. Gareth Murphy and Joe McElroy have made it back to the bench, however. Daniel Magee, who made his championship debut last week, is also among the subs.

Other than that, it’s as you were with Conor Turbitt also earning a starting spot. Turbitt top scored for the Orchard County at Brewster Park with 1-6 in his first start since round five of the National League.

Paddy Burns is named at corner back and he will come up against some of his clubmates on Sunday as the Forkhill native now plays his club football with Burren.

Ethan Rafferty holds onto the number one jersey having earned his first start of the season the last day out. He sailed over a huge two-point free and will carry that threat once again this week.

Armagh are aiming to reach the Ulster final for the fourth consecutive season, although they haven’t won the Anglo Celt since 2008. They have held the upper hand in the recent rivalry with Down, earning championship wins in 2023 and 2024.

STARTING TEAM

Ethan Rafferty

Peter McGrane

Aaron McKay

Paddy Burns

Ross McQuillan

Tiernan Kelly

Jarly Og Burns

Jason Duffy

Andrew Murnin

Greg McCabe

Darragh McMullan

Tomas McCormack

Oisin Conaty

Conor Turbitt

Cian McConville

SUBS

Blaine Hughes

Gareth Murphy

Barry McCambridge

Ryan Duffy

Callum O’Neill

Ciaran Mackin

Daniel Magee

Joe McElroy

Oisin O’Neill

Tomas Galvin

Aaron O’Neill

Rory Grugan

Sean McCarthy

Padraig O’Keefe

Fergal O’Brien