What a way to kick off the Senior Championship with Madden and Grange meeting in an impossible to call 50/50 battle.
The Raparees, having played in Division 1A this season, are the bookies favourites to make it through.
But Grange’s league form doesn’t provide the full picture. They were missing a lot of key men throughout the year.
Ethan Rafferty only returned after Armagh exited the championship. Justin Kieran’s appeared as a substitute against Silverbridge having spent the summer in America.
Cathal McKenna has been out with a shoulder injury for the majority of league action as has Jake Toal.
But all are expected to be back for tomorrow’s clash. Madden might not be so lucky on the injury front, however.
Niall Grimley is definitely out for the foreseeable future while Donal Rafferty has been nursing a hamstring injury.
Ryan Morgan suffered concussion in a league clash against the Harps a few weeks ago but should be good to go.
Rafferty and Morgan are two of Madden’s specialised man-markers, so they’ll be needed to curtail a potent Grange attack.
Headache
Who picks up Ethan Rafferty will be the big question swirling around Mickey Grimley’s head all week.
It may take away from Conor Grimley’s attacking threat if he was handed the job. If it’s Peter Lappin, who covers the centre half back position?
If Madden can get their matchups right, that’ll go along way for them getting something out of this game.
Grange have the edge in the forward line, but Madden have plenty of attacking talent too in the form of Joe Sheridan, Darragh McMullen, Aron McKenna and Ciaran Rafferty.
Throw in the threat of Conor Grimley and Niall Smith coming from deep and Madden will have no problem creating chances.
But it’s whether they can handle the McKenna brothers, Miceal and Cathal, Ben Toal, Kieran and the Rafferty’s at the other end.
It promises to be an entertaining and intriguing encounter from start to finish and don’t rule out a draw.
