Both Eoin Woods and Shane McPartland are set to earn their first starts for Armagh in this evenings McKenna Cup opener.
Kieran McGeeney has named a strong starting team to take on Antrim in the Athletic Grounds as Armagh begin their 2023 campaign.
Woods of course made his debut last season, coming off the bench to split the posts against Galway in Croke Park.
But Wednesday evening’s clash with Andy McEntee’s side will be a first start for the Carrickcruppen youngster.
McPartland was one of the standout performers of the club championship and will make his debut against the Saffrons.
The Clan na Gael sharpshooter finished the campaign as the fourth highest scorer in the SFC. He only played two games, against Carrickcruppen and Killeavy, and finished with 0-14.
Starting 15
Unsurprisingly, All-Star nominee Ethan Rafferty is back between the sticks for Armagh, in a role he excelled in last summer.
Paddy Burns has been named at corner back while Aidan Forker and Ross Finn make up the full back line.
Forker hasn’t missed a game since the first round of the 2021 championship against Antrim, the same day Finn made his championship debut.
Barry McCambridge slots in at centre half back for his first appearance since the McKenna Cup semi-final defeat to Monaghan last season. He’ll be flanked by Conor O’Neill and Jarly Og Burns.
Niall Grimley is back in action following a neck injury last year. He’ll be partnered by Stephen Sheridan at centerfield.
Eoin Woods starts the game at wing half forward with captain Aidan Nugent in the centre. Tiernan Kelly is also back in the starting line-up having returned from injury.
Conor Turbitt earns his first start since that championship clash with Donegal in Ballybofey last year.
Andrew Murnin takes up his usual full forward spot with Shane McPartland completing the inside line.
