Tomorrow's AIB Ulster club football final (Clones, 2.30) is a re-enactment of two years ago when Crossmaglen Rangers shocked Bellaghy Wolfe Tones in the closing minutes of the replayed decider.

The win announced the Armagh club onto the national stage as a football force. Rangers had already been well known for the fact that their grounds have been occupied for nearly 30 years by the British army Team manager Joe Kernan is upbeat about the disruptive circumstances which have made ordinary club activity such a struggle for Crossmaglen. "All the players have been putting up with it since they were young boys, so they're used to it. We'll get it back sometime - not in the next week or two, but we will. Things are changing."

Two years ago the club stormed to an All-Ireland title, beating en route the best of what was around: after 1995 All-Ireland finalists Bellaghy, champions Laune Rangers from Kerry and, in the final, Mayo's Knockmore who had demolished the previous year's finalists Eire Og in the semi-final.

This was an impressive casualty list, but more striking was the instinctive blend of natural athleticism, pace and ball skills which made the young Armagh team one of the best club sides of recent years.

Kernan confidently describes his team's capability. "We can play it long or short, whatever suits us in the conditions. As a unit we work hard down the middle and move it fast on the wings. Because we're a strong young team, we can also overpower opponents."

Anyone who remembers the championship-winning campaign of two years ago won't fault Kernan's description.

Last year, Crossmaglen were beaten by Tyrone's Errigal Ciarain in the Ulster semi-final. For club-watchers this wasn't a huge surprise. Winning an All-Ireland and retaining the county title the following season places enormous demands on a club side, and few survive even that far.

Kernan disagrees. "I don't think it was tiredness, more like complacency. Earlier in the year we beat Errigal by 10 points, and that worked both ways by the time we played them in the championship. We played badly and were beaten by a team playing well. We were seven points down twice, and the way we finished in the closing stages didn't look like a burned-out team."

Now they are back with a few new players and a belief that experience has further strengthened their challenge. "You learn," says Kernan, "that calmness is important."

Bellaghy, however, have also evolved. They too have some new players since narrowly failing to Kilmacud Crokes in the 1995 All-Ireland final. In the view of one Derry observer: "They're a more complete team, with no obvious weakness."

There are a number of similarities with their opponents. The Derry champions have introduced some new faces and, like Crossmaglen, for whom Jim McConville has been in cracking form, Bellaghy's own veteran forward, Damien Cassidy, is enjoying a marvellous season.

He is well supported by brother Joe and the prolific Gavin Diamond. But despite their obvious class, the team can go on the blink; they kicked 13 first-half wides against Enniskillen in the semi-final.

Crossmaglen have their own problems of consistency and have tended to deliver in short bursts, as in their semi-final with St John's of Antrim. Kernan believes this is part of their development. "You have to make the best of the periods when you're on top."

It adds up to a fascinating prospect. Crossmaglen purr like a machine, Bellaghy buzz with potential. The crafty and experienced Bellaghy midfield of Danny Quinn and John Mulhol land confront the youthful vigour of John McEntee, whose twin, Tony, returned to training during the week after a long lay-off with an ankle injury and will be in with a shout of his customary centre forward's jersey.

Threading an opinion through all the possibilities is difficult, but in the prevailing heavy conditions, the strength of Crossmaglen becomes an even greater asset. Their cutting edge is well-tempered, and whereas nothing less than total engagement can be expected from Bellaghy, the Armagh side have the style, the youth and the experience to reach next February's All-Ireland semi-finals.