It’s Mullaghbawn up first for reigning Armagh senior champions Clann Eireann as they begin their title defence.
It’s back where it all happened, the Athletic Grounds, and it’s a much different challenge now for the Lurgan lads.
Last year they were the plucky underdogs overturning all the top teams in the county one by one.
First it was Maghery, they Ballymacnab and finally Crossmaglen in an unforgettable, dramatic decider.
Now in 2022, they’re the ones with the target on their backs. Their success last year and fired a sense of belief into every other team.
And one of those teams may well be Mullaghbawn, who are coming in fresh off the back of earning promotion.
They needed to go to an unbeaten Ballymacnab on the final day of the campaign and get the win. And they did.
That showed a steely confidence that Peter McDonnell’s men will surely bring forward into the championship.
They’ll need big games from their big players to qualify for the last eight. None more so than star forward Eddie English.
He’s the main attacking threat but will aided by the likes of Shea Loye and Kieran Grant in the forward line.
Eoghan McDonnell is another huge addition since retuning from a summer spent in America. As is Cormac Smyth if he plays.
In the absence of Tiernan Kelly, Conor Bell and Sean McCarthy (suspended), Mullaghbawn may have enough to win the midfield battle.
Clann Eireann can call upon the likes of Ryan Henderson, Conor McConville and Barry McCambridge to cover at centerfield.
Up front, as always, Conor Turbitt will receive the most attention while Jack Conlon has been in terrific form this season.
For Clann Eireann, last year will live long in the memory but it is of no use on Sunday. They’ll be full focused on the task at hand.
Mullaghbawn definitely have enough quality and belief to ask questions, but this may just be a step too far.
