Return of Kieran McGeeney will be a boost to Armagh Down v Monaghan Sunday 8 June, Casement Park, 1530 BST Live Radio Ulster and on this website Highlights on BBC2 at 1700 BST

Armagh get a second bite at defending their All-Ireland crown with a trip to Waterford on Sunday.

Who would have dreamed that Joe Kernan's boys would be joining Donegal, Cavan and Derry in an attempt to negotiate their way through the qualifying back door.

Hurt and humiliated by that defeat by Monaghan in the Ulster Championship, Armagh with almost a full compliment back on board, are unlikely to slip up as easily.

The return of inspirational skipper Kieran McGeeney will be a great fillip for the Orchard County boys who are trying to break a five-game losing streak.

The celebrations following their magnificent achievement last season finally took its toll when they lost their final four NFL games then that defeat at the hands of Monaghan.

Too wise

Lessons learned, Kernan will be cracking the whip again to let his charges know that one stung, twice shy.

Armagh should have not have too much trouble on the road and should make it into the second round of the qualifiers.

Cavan, who were surprisingly dumped out by a vibrant Antrim side, have rung the changes for Sunday's visit of Wicklow.

Boss Mattie Kerrigan has made five changes in an effort to revive their season. Home venue should just about see them home.

In the final Ulster championship first round game at Casement Park on Sunday, Down are hopeful of doing to Monaghan what Armagh failed to do.

However, Colm Coyle's side are so full of confidence at dumping the All-Ireland champions in a preliminary round, one cannot see them slip up at this stage.

The losers will face the team dumped out of the Leinster first round tie between Meath and Westmeath on 14 June.

All-Ireland qualifying ties
Saturday

Donegal v Longford (Ballybofey, 1815)
Roscommon v Cork (Dr Hyde Park, 1615)
London v Offaly (Tullamore, 1615)
Wexford 0-9 3-10 Derry

Leinster SFC first round replay
Meath v Westmeath, Portlaoise, 1900)

Munster SFC first round replay
Limerick v Waterford

Sunday

Ulster SFC first roundDown v Monaghan (Casement Park, 1530)

Connacht SFC semi-final
Sligo v Mayo (Markievicz Park, 1430)

All-Ireland qualifiers
Carlow v Wicklow, Dr Cullen Park, 1815)
Waterford v Armagh (Armagh, 1400)
Lough v Cavan (Navan, 1815)