Wishful thinking by McDonnell

Armagh forward Stevie McDonnell has sounded a warning today about anyone writing off Tyrone in the provincial championship saying that Mickey Harte's men like Armagh have improved as the championship has gone on.
Tyrone and Armagh have literally carved Ulster up between them since 1999, with Armagh way out ahead with six titles to Tyrone's three.
However, the Red Hands have fared slightly better in the All Ireland with two wins to Armagh's one and one of the Tyrone victories came at Armagh's expense in the first ever all Ulster final in 2003.
However, neither side are the force they were early in the decade, Tyrone devastated by the loss of Cormac McAnallen and an injury list that would do an episode of Casualty justice.
Armagh on the other hand have lost some of their greatest players, McGeeney and Marsden in particular, to retirement and some of their most experienced players are the wrong side of 30, and in the modern game that's a problem.
Both counties have worked hard with young players, Tyrone because they've had to and Armagh have had a good set of Under 21s come through.
However, they are not yet the genuine article and I think that McDonnell is being over optimistic about the two sides' fortunes.
No one will look forward to playing them, and if they go out of Ulster who would want them in the play-offs, but I think this season we will see new kings in Ulster.
Derry and Monaghan are ahead of the province's big two at the moment and Donegal could also be a threat if they can turn over Derry who may be too confident after the easy league win over Brian McIver's side.
Ulster is notoriously difficult to navigate but the big question for me is, is there a side in the province capable of beating Kerry. I don't think so on the evidence so far this year but that's the beauty about championship anything can happen.
I'd love Tyrone and Armagh to mount a credible challenge again, it would be good for football in the province, but I believe it's wishful thinking.