Armagh primed for crucial Ulster derby clash at Malone

Armagh’s four consecutive wins have moved Chris Parker’s side up to second while Malone with two victories from eight games are rooted to the bottom of the league.

“I was really pleased last Saturday, I felt the boys pushed on and we really scored some good points,” Parker said.

"We backed up again from the week before and we are stating a real consistency to our game, and that is reflected in our training as well: it has become a lot more consistent in its quality and we are very pleased on the path that we are going.

“We’re doing well but there are no trophies given out at Christmas and we know when it is an Ulster derby form goes out the window.

"But we have trained well this week and we and we’re hopeful we can produce another good performance on Saturday.”

Despite 18 points separating the Ulster rivals in the table Parker knows it’s going to be a typical derby tussle in Belfast.

“You know exactly what to expect at Gibson Park, a very warm welcome off the pitch and the exact opposite on the pitch,” he said.

“You know what you get when you go to Gibson Park and you have got to be prepared to go to battle, and if you are not prepared to go to battle you are going to come away with absolutely nothing.

“Malone had a fantastic result at home last time out against Highfield. We had a close encounter with them earlier in the season in the Senior League, we know it is an extremely difficult place to go and we haven’t had the best results in the past there.”

Full-back Shea O’Brien and hooker James McCormack have been released by Ulster, Kyle Faloon is injured so Ryan Purvis comes into the squad. Malone have Angus Curtis available.

Banbridge are a point above Malone and have Callum Reid, David McCann and Rob Lyttle available as they host Old Wesley.

In Division1A Ballynahinch welcome UCD.