Ulster SFC 2012

**Thomas Clarke** Tue May 08, 2012 4:28 pm

Preliminary Round
Cavan v Donegal

Quarter- finals
1. Derry v Cavan/Donegal
2. Armagh v Tyrone
3.Fermanagh v Down
4. Monaghan v Antrim

Semi-finals
1 v 2
3 v 4

**Thomas Clarke** Tue May 08, 2012 4:30 pm

Ulster should be highly competitive this year, with 5 teams believing they should win the title and, by virtue of the lop-sided draw, another 3 who will expect to make the final. Only Cavan (sorry JS/Scoop) will start without any hope of contesting for the Anglo-Celt cup in July.

In the top half, Donegal, Tyrone and Derry have all been hit by injuries, while Crossmaglen's AI run means that Paddy O'Rouke hasn't yet had a chance to play his first 15. Any of those 4 could come out of that bracket, but the smart money would be on the tried and tested, i.e Tyrone or Donegal.

Down are the only side from the top 2 divisions in the other half of the draw, but a strew of injuries could leave them vulnerable for an ambush in Brewster Pk. Fermanagh's comprehensive defeat by Wicklow in the league final was very disappointing, but they will be more comfortable at home than in Croker, and any victory by Down there will be a good one. in the last 18 months, Monaghan have been relegated twice and failed to win a championship game, so the pressure on Eamonn McEneaney will be huge. Still, I don't think that Antrim are as good as they were a couple of years ago, and I'd expect Monaghan to sneak home there.

So, Down to beat Monaghan in one semi final, and take your pick out of 4 on the other half. This is as competitive as Ulster has been for almost 15 years.

Ulster SFC 2012

Ulster SFC 2012

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