Pendulum swinging towards Armagh

Today's game between Armagh and Donegal is the third time they have played each other this year. While Donegal won the two games, they were close contests.

This afternoon’s game has a few additional variables that could swing the result Armagh’s way.

For the majority of the game last week, Armagh bossed Tyrone. That was their second win against them this season. There is no doubt that home advantage contributed. All the home teams won their games in the All-Ireland Championship last week, Armagh, Clare, Cork and Mayo.

Armagh’s games against Donegal this year have been in Donegal. The league game in Letterkenny was 1-14 to 1-13. Paddy McBrearty scored the winner in the 75th minute. The Ulster game finished 1-16 to 0-12. McBrearty again had a big impact with his second half goal opening a gap that Armagh couldn’t cut in Ballybofey.

Today’s game is in Clones. The neutral venue takes away the distinct advantage Donegal had in their previous games.

The Donegal management will have been very busy with their players since their Ulster final loss to Derry. Physically they would have recovered a few days after that match. The priority then would have been he psychological position and mindset of the players.

Inter-county players are high-performing athletes. They are competitive beasts that want to win everything. They want to be able to outrun and outlift their team-mates, win small-sided games or scoring competitions. More importantly, when they have a chance to win a trophy they are totally focused on performing to a level that gives them a chance.

There is so much mental focus coming into a final, if you lose it is easy to get caught in a trough. Family, friends, media will all have their say. The conversation is dominated by what