Conor Turbitt (2-5) and Oisin Conaty (0-5) led a stunning demonstration of Armagh’s scoring power against Down that encompassed 10 fisted points in a telling illustration of how effectively the Orchardmen can cut through an opponent’s defence.
Monaghan’s defeat of Derry was powered by eight two-pointers, but matters at the other end of the pitch may decide their fortunes against Armagh, with McManus pinpointing marauding Orchard half-backs Jarly Og Burns and Ross McQuillan – if the latter if fit after missing the Down game with a calf problem – as key threats.
“Armagh’s biggest strength now is their attacking play as a unit,” said McManus.
“They get in behind the rearguard of other teams. Ten fisted points is a remarkable stat in any game. That’s the strength of this Armagh team, they’re getting scores from right in the heart of the opposition defence, where any one of their attacking players or runners from deep can get the scores.
“That’s the strength of their play and it’ll be very hard for Monaghan to stop.
“A big one for me is whether Ross McQuillan is fit, who’s going to pick up him and Jarly Og Burns in the wing half-backs because they’ve been a massive part of what Armagh have done in the past number of years but particularly this year, they’ve been in really strong scoring form.
“Those match-ups will go a long way in deciding this one.”