ARMAGH have waited long enough to get up to Division One (they were last there in 2012) so I could only imagine how much of a gut-punch it would be to be relegated having competed so gamely. Kieran McGeeney’s side could genuinely have finished on six points if they had shown a bit more ruthlessness in front of the posts, now they face Roscommon for the right to stay at the top table. The Rossies have had their number in recent times, so this is a huge ask. They have been unlucky with injuries so their squad depth will be tested for this clash. Just like it could be a gut-punch if they lose, a win would have them really buoyed heading into the Ulster Championship.

NIALL MCCOY

ONE of the issues raised in the interview with Áine Tubridy this week is Antrim’s club scene. There is only one senior ladies football team in the county, St Paul’s. They are a great team but they feel that because they don’t get tested in their own county they can’t compete on the provincial senior stage. The issue probably has a knock-on effect for the county team as well. It seems like a flawed argument to demand that other club teams move up to senior, just so St Paul’s can beat them. However, there is a solution, and it’s something I’ve mentioned in these pages before. It is weekend tournaments. If teams can’t get competitive championship games in their county, they should hold weekend tournaments, invite good teams along and we’d get a carnival of GAA.

RONAN SCOTT

THERE’S nothing that a Kerry man loves more than beating Tyrone. That’s why I’m worried for the Red Hands in this weekend’s Division One semi-final clash. The Kingdom can’t qualify for the league final albeit they can still be crowned joint-champs, but they absolutely loathe Tyrone, so they’ll hardly take her handy. Tyrone were probably fairly fortunate to make the semi-finals as their match against Monaghan could easily have ended in defeat, but a win against Kerry would renew hope that they’re capable of having a great championship. It was memorable when they beat Kerry in Edendork last year, with Darren McCurry excelling on his home patch, but playing them down Killarney is a different kettle of fish.

NIALL GARTLAND

JESUS, tone it down a little why doncha? I was reading Davy Fitzgerald’s post-match quotes after their heated battle with Antrim, and it was F this and F that and F thon. What’s the effin’ point? Personally I find it childish enough behaviour – it shouldn’t be difficult to avoid swearing when surrounded by a load of dictaphones. Anyway the point of this is that a happy medium is best – Davy, you need to cool the jets, but then again, it’s probably better than Dessie Farrell having a dead-in-the-eyes expression and trotting off lines as if reading from a script. Anyway maybe I’m being harsh on Davy and obviously he makes good copy so what the **** am I complaining about?

NIALL GARTLAND

THREE points from games against Clare, Kilkenny, Dublin and Wexford have ensured that Antrim will be playing Division One hurling in 2020 – not bad, eh? They’re full value for where they are but they must now build on their success under Darren Gleeson even further. The 2020 season went well with the Joe McDonagh also secured, and 2021 will be a success regardless of what happens in Leinster. Still, it’s time for Antrim to be a regular top division team. Gleeson will challenge them to push on to the point where they are considered a top-eight team, worthy of Division One hurling for not just one or two years, but most years. The players seem willing to accept the challenge anyway.

NIALL MCCOY

ONE of the anomalies that has appeared this year is the clamour for people to get back to matches. I’ve heard a few occasions folks saying that they are desperate to get to games as it is not the same as watching it on TV. There is a counter group in existence who say that if more games were shown on our screens, both big and small, then our games would develop quicker and children would be inspired to play. Let’s hope that these two groups don’t clash as it may turn into a video nasty. Badoom-tish.

RONAN SCOTT

Tyroneís Ben McDonnell and Conor Meyler close down the options for Kerryís Tadhg Morley during last season’s National League meeting at Edendork.. JB52