Aidan Forker (Armagh) v John Heslin (Westmeath)
It’s hard to know how the Armagh spirits will be after a heart-breaking Ulster final defeat to Derry on penalties a fortnight ago but Kieran McGeeney’s men must regroup and go again.
Similarly, Westmeath blew a big half-time lead against Louth as they were dumped out of the Leinster SFC and they have been out of action for five weeks.
They were the first team qualified for this year’s All-Ireland SFC series after winning last year’s Tailteann Cup but the big question is whether they can they swim with the big fish after dominating the second-tier?
The performances of star forward John Heslin will go some way towards determining whether or not they can advance past the group stages and Dessie Dolan’s men must sense an opportunity in the Athletic Grounds on Saturday afternoon.
Heslin is likely to be picked up by Armagh veteran Aidan Forker, who is regularly detailed with the most difficult man-marking job by ‘Geezer’, and this battle on the edge of the square should be fascinating.
