Published Monday, 04 June 2012
Meat Loaf once sang about 'two out of three ain't bad' so with correct predictions on Sunday's game and the Donegal v Cavan game, so far, I can buy in to that philosophy at the minute.
I suppose I let my heart rule my head last week predicting a draw or even a possible Antrim victory.
Everything is going according to the form book this year so far, but will we see Armagh cause a minor shock in the Morgan Athletics ground next week?
We live in hope that next week's game between the great rivals of Armagh and Tyrone will ignite this year's Ulster Championship.
Last year when these two teams played each other in the qualifiers I predicted a Tyrone victory citing the over-reliance on Jamie Clarke as a key reason.
Clarke who had scored 2-2 the week before against Wicklow, didn't register that day. With the recent retirement of Stevie McDonnell it looks still looks to me that Tyrone will have more scoring threat in their armoury to get out of the Athletics grounds with a narrow victory.
Tyrone were my tip for the Ulster Championship this year but two events in the last week, have made me think that Donegal may just be the better placed team to lift the Anglo-Celt this year.
I am allowed to change my mind, aren't I? The injury to Sean Cavanagh is a massive blow. The Red Hands will miss his pace, power and direct running that can unlock even the tightest of defensive systems.
At the beginning of the year, Mickey Harte told Brian McGuigan that if he wanted to play championship for Tyrone this year, then it would be in his best interests to forget about taking a winter break.
With a changing of the guard it was important that everyone bought into the new regime from day one.
When I read his retirement piece in the Irish News at the time, it was fairly obvious that he wasn't entirely comfortable with the decision.
With Cavanagh, Kyle Coney and Steven O'Neill all now out, Mickey Harte has had to make an SOS call for the Ardboe wizard to come in to strengthen his attacking options. A shrewd move or an act of desperation?
We shouldn't forget that in their last three big games in Croke Park Tyrone have been blown away by superior strength and athleticism. I am not so sure this is the right move for Tyrone but it is indicative of the situation they currently find themselves in.
I predict a narrow win for Tyrone but don't rule out the possibility of 'John' making a few quid out of an Armagh victory!