Ballyhegan sprang the surprise of the 2020 championship when they defeated Whitecross in the opening round.
More than twelve months later and it’s the Davitts who now hold the favourites tag heading into this one.
Dispite playing in the lower grade of the Intermediate league, Ballyhegan will fancy their chances of overcome Whitecross.
The South Armagh men just avoided relegation and lost nine of their 14 league encounters.
Mark Shields remains on the road to recovery and will be a massive miss in this campaign.
Whitecross will rely on some of their older heads if they are to secure their spot in the quarter finals.
The McSherry’s, Cathal and Neil, remain the go-to men in the attack and are the main scroing threats.
Anthony McCann will hope to have an influence in midfield while Niall Boyle is the rock of the defence.
The return of Jack Rafferty and Conall McKeever, who both missed out last year, has boosted Ballyhegan’s attacking options.
The Courtney’s, Mel and Paul, are the backbone of the team while James McCormack is an exciting corner forward.
Peter McGrane was called into Kieran McGeeney’s county squad this season and is likely to be handed a man marking role this weekend.
He went toe to toe with Cathal McSherry last season and the two will renew aquentances on Sunday.
This could be an interesting one, but the nod goes to Ballyhegan to book their place in the next round.
