Derry have a ‘point to prove’ warns Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney as Rian O'Neill returns to the starting 15

Armagh meet Derry on Sunday at Celtic Park in a game which could have huge implications for who finishes where in Group 1, and Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney says that the Oak Leaf County will have a ‘point to prove’ after back-to-back defeats.

Whilst Armagh’s win over Westmeath started them off on the right track, a victory over the Division One league champions Derry would be a real statement of intent, before they tussle with Connacht champions Galway in their final group game in two weeks’ time.

Derry are in a more precarious position, as having been stunned at home against Donegal in the Ulster Championship, they then lost to Galway in Round 1 of their All-Ireland SFC group. The Oak Leaf County came into the Championship with aspirations of winning the Sam Maguire, but defeat against Armagh would be their third straight loss.

However, Armagh boss Kieran McGeeney doesn’t buy into the school of thought that Derry are there for the taking.

“When you watch games you see things that don’t suit the narrative that Derry are gone,” said McGeeney.

“They scored 15 points against Galway, dropped six short and 11 wide, so they had over 30 shots in a game of football in that game and in the Donegal game. They’re a really quick team on the counter and in Shane McGuigan they have one of the best forwards about, so we know we have a tough task ahead this week. They’ll be going out with a point to prove and they have serious pace throughout the team as well.

“The reality for us is we’re playing the best team in Division One – that’s the reality. If you’re hitting 30 shots a game and you’re putting 17-18 of them over, that’s quality. They got caught with a couple of kick outs (against Donegal) but they didn’t get caught with that against Galway and they were down a man and were still able to produce.

“So, we know we’re up against a quality side with a point to prove and it’s going to be one of the toughest games of the year.”

Armagh were given a boost on Thursday evening when their announced team for this Sunday’s clash against Derry included Rian O’Neill returning to the starting 15.

O’Neill had missed last week’s win over Westmeath with a calf injury but thankfully, from the Orchard County’s point of view, their talisman is back available for what could be an important group game in Celtic Park.

Armagh team: B Hughes; B McCambridge, A McKay, P McGrane; J McElroy, C Mackin, A Forker; R O’Neill, B Crealey; S Campbell, R Grugan, T Kelly; O Conaty, A Murnin, C Turbitt.