By Niall McCoy

National Football League Division One North

Armagh v Donegal

Saturday, Athletic Grounds, 7.30pm

ARMAGH and Donegal can both qualify for the league semi-finals this Saturday night and they can both find themselves in a relegation play-off, so expect the intensity levels to remain high at the Athletic Grounds.

The Division One North games have been excellent contests to date. The contests are tight, there have been lots of goals (11 in eight games) and nobody can be certain how the situation will be resolved. There are clues though, and one big one – injuries – points to a disappointing end for Kieran McGeeney’s side.

The Orchard county have been good on their return to the top tier. They were worthy winners against Monaghan in round one while last week they had a chance to go four points up on Tyrone well into the second half. Stefan Campbell’s penalty was a good height for Niall Morgan though and after that save, the Red Hands took control to win out 2-15 to 2-10.

McGeeney was left not only bemoaning the result, but also the fact that a whole host of his players picked up injuries.

Ryan Kennedy is definitely out as he left the ground on crutches, while Aidan Forker is also set to miss out. Substitute Paddy Burns is also facing a spell on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring problem while James Morgan also could be absent after injuring himself in the first half. Greg McCabe and Ciaron O’Hanlon also suffered knocks but may be fit to return this weekend.

One of the obvious replacements, Mark Shields, underwent surgery last week so he is out for the foreseeable while the likes of Andrew Murnin, Stephen Sheridan and Ethan Rafferty remain on the treatment table too.

It will most definitely be a patched up side taking to the field, not the best preparations when trying to overturn a 12-point deficit from their last meeting against Donegal, the 2020 Ulster Championship semi-final.

Even though Donegal sauntered home that day, they didn’t get a massive amount from the incredible Michael Murphy as Forker had performed brilliantly on him.

If the Glenswilly man plays, the task will probably fall on the shoulders of Aaron McKay.

The Dromintee man has been handed that duty before, while he really stood up against Tyrone when players were dropping like flies across the pitch.

The reason there is an ‘if’ around Murphy’s presence relates to Donegal’s own injury headache. Murphy picked up a hamstring injury early into their draw with Monaghan last week. Declan Bonner has remained tight-lipped on his availability, but given how close the championship is, it would be a surprise to see him in the squad.

When Murphy departed in the fifth minute, RTÉ radio commentator Aidan O’Rourke remarked that while unwanted, it was a good chance for Bonner’s side to prove that they could perform without their talisman. Whether they passed that test is subject to debate. They conceded 4-11 but fought back from nine points to earn a valuable point. Glass half empty or glass half full?

There were plenty of bright spots, not surprisingly mostly in attack. Michael Langan’s rocket of a goal was a real highlight and he is developing into a fine option.

Paddy McBrearty also finished with eight points, half of those coming from play. It’s a struggle to pick out who would be up to the task of picking up the Kilcar man from Armagh’s defensive options right now.

Jamie Brennan and Andrew McClean missed last week’s game through injury, while Eoghan ‘Ban’ Gallagher, Eoin McHugh and Brendan McCole all seemed to pick up issues during the contest.

This really looks like it will be a test of the squad depth. Donegal’s remains much stronger than Armagh’s, so it should be an away win.

Verdict: Donegal

MOMENTUM SWING….Stefan Campbell’s missed penalty allowed Tyrone to take control