Home comforts can get Fermanagh off to a flying start in Ulster race

Fermanagh v Armagh
Brewster Park, 7pm Saturday

Armagh were crowned Division 3 football champions on the final day of March at Croke Park. But they were quite fortunate to do so as Fermanagh were every bit as good as Kieran McGeeney's men and could have snatched the spoils had they shown more composure in the final third.

The concession of an Andrew Murnin goal proved their undoing as they lost 1-16 to 0-17, but Fermanagh now have home advantage at Brewster Park which may sway the verdict in their favour and they look great value.

You can back the hosts at 3-1 to win by two points or more and that is worth taking as the Armagh of 2018 are not the same side as last year without the services of the majestic Jamie Clarke.

These sides drew 0-7 apiece when they met in the league at Brewster Park and another low-scoring encounter could be in store.

The difference between the teams could be the Quigley brothers, Seamus and Sean, who have both been named in the Fermanagh full-forward line. Armagh did not possess the same sort of threat up front.

Seamus Quigley scored 4-37 in the league, an average of seven points per game, and only Gary Walsh and Paul Broderick scored more than him in any of the divisions. There was no Armagh player in the top 16, which shows just how much they miss Clarke.

Rory Gallagher has done a decent job since taking over at the helm of Fermanagh and a home win in his first championship match is just what the doctor ordered. That feat can be achieved.

Recommendations
Fermanagh -1
2pts 3-1 Betfair, Paddy Power

Tipperary v Waterford
Semple Stadium, 7pm Saturday

Waterford manager Tom McGlinchey has been talking down his side's prospects of causing an upset in their Semple Stadium showdown on Saturday evening but that could be a clever bit of gamesmanship and they can keep within the generous 11-point handicap.

Waterford's only win in Division 4 of the league came in Ruislip, away to London, on a 1-16 to 1-14 scoreline. That was the final group game so at least they are entering the championship on the back of a win.

They drew with Wicklow and put up some resistance to Laois (lost by four) and Carlow (lost by three), while they gave Cork a scare in the Munster championship last year.

Tipperary's class should shine through in the second half but asking them to win by 12 points or more might be too much.

Recommendation
Waterford +11
2pts 7-5 BoyleSports

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