This will be one of those fascinating encounters with both Armagh and Down coming through the expected minefield which is Ulster football.

I had fancied Armagh to come through anyway although I did not expect Down to beat Tyrone. But when it comes to championship football you write off Down at your peril, as we know so well down here in Kerry.

Looking at both semi-finals, what impressed me most about Armagh was their spirit and never-say-die attitude, which they showed in all their games this year. They've displayed a resilience and composure to carve out wins against tough Donegal and Derry sides, both in the dying moments.

In the case of Down, this is a very different side from the double All-Ireland success of the early 1990s. There were an unknown outfit really until we saw the second-half performance against Tyrone, because they are notorious for poor league form. But Pete McGrath is a very resourceful manager and produces the goods when it comes to championship football.

My lasting impression from their semi-final with Tyrone was their ability to win breaking ball around the midfield area and feed that to their very fast forward unit. The combative instincts of Shane Mulholland were obvious and a lot will depend on how Armagh react to this insatiable hunger for possession that Down always show.

Armagh midfielders Jarlath Burns and Paul McGrane have fared reasonably well this season and are well bolstered by centre back Kieran McGeeney behind them. I've been impressed as well by the work-rate of the Armagh half-forward line, and even though John McEntee can be a bit lethargic at times, he's often very creative and has the ability to see out the good opportunities.

Down's forward unit demolished the Tyrone back line and the Armagh defence will be put under similar pressure by Shane Ward and Mickey Linden. You can hold Linden for certain periods but he still has some lightning bursts that can unhinge any defence.

The Armagh half forwards and midfield will have to pressurise outfield Down players to deny the quality ball getting into Linden and company. The work-rate there will be important. Still, Armagh do have their quality forwards as well in Diarmuid Marsden and Oisin McConville, and I believe that a fully fit Marsden is one of the finest forwards in the country if he's allowed any sort of space or time on the ball. Beside him McConville is an excellent poacher and finisher.

Hunger seems to be the in word this summer but I feel here that both teams have a great desire to win an Ulster title. Armagh have had a more searching struggle to get this far and I sense that they have the look of winners about them this year. Down have the better tradition and will always be formidable opponents in championship football but I would wonder if they over-rely on the left boot of the returned Ross Carr as well as suffering the absence of James McCartan.

It will be a very close encounter, for sure, but I can see Armagh getting there. McGeeney is having an excellent championship and his match-up with Mulholland will be a key. Mulholland has great pace but if he is held then that will be a big factor in Armagh's favour. Gerard Reid has been a little vulnerable at full back and with Ciaran McCabe in such great scoring form then that may be a worry for them.

Having watched Armagh come through three very competitive games, they may be a little sharper in that area. They've won their games late and their fitness can't be questioned.

It will be evenly matched, and even though Armagh haven't been in a Ulster final since 1990, I don't think nerves will be a factor. Down have had a big turnover of players as well so there won't be much difference in experience. Still, Armagh have had to show their character when it was put up to them and I expect them to do it again tomorrow.

In an interview with Ian O'Riordan