Armagh impress in first outing

Armagh looked as formidable if not quite as clinical as ever in their first outing in the Ulster championship today when they disposed of Cavan a lot easier than the score line of 0-17 to 0-13 suggests.
Armagh still play to their strengths, they make it hard to break them down and they hold possession in their no nonsense no panic style and in Clarke and McDonnell they have two class acts up front.
They should have had at least three goals today with Stevie McDonnell, Clarke and Stephen Kernan all guilty of misses one to one with the 'keeper.
The Orchard men snuffed out Cavan at every turn.
The Breffni men never really looked like getting back into the game bar a short spell right after half time when Armagh missed a few chances to finish the game off and Cavan closed the gap to two.
The defence looked better for Francie Bellew and Andy Mallon's return and John Toner looks like a good partner for the ever reliable Paul McGrane in the middle.
Stephen Kernan adds a bit of class to the forward line and Charlie Vernon looks to be a very powerful footballer.
If Armagh can keep McDonnell and Clarke fit they are always going to be a threat.
They will now face a resurgent Down in the Ulster semi final in what will be a much-anticipated game.
For Cavan, I can't see them lift themselves for the qualifiers, their shortcomings were cruelly exposed today and with the calibre of opposition already in the draw it's hard to see them going much further.
They were much too predictable.
They battle hard but Armagh starved Seanie Johnston of possession and even though he still managed a credible haul of points Armagh dominated midfield and made Cavan work hard for everything they got.
Cavan will be a banana skin for anyone they meet but only that.
The challenge to Armagh is now to improve, if they can do that they will be in the mix in the latter part of the season.