Corrigan won't be able to patrol the sideline because of a ban

Few would have tipped Down as potential Ulster finalists before the start of this year's provincial championship.

But Monaghan's shock win over out-of-sorts All-Ireland champions Armagh in the Ulster preliminary round changed the equations.

Despite Monaghan's downing of Armagh, many pundits expected the Mournemen to prevail in the Ulster quarter-final and so it proved.

History shows that once Down get up any head of steam in the championship, that they can be very hard to stop.

Therefore many fancy Paddy O'Rourke's largely youthful side to account for Fermanagh in Sunday's provincial semi-final at Clones.

But the argument in favour of Down seems to be largely based on the county's tremendous tradition.

A closer examination of Down's win over Monaghan makes it clear that the Farney County should have won the game.

Colm Coyle's team missed a hatful of chances at crucial times.

Admittedly, Gregory McCartan produced an outstanding afternoon at midfield for Down but the Mournemen were still fortunate to win the game.

Paddy O'Rourke's side defeated Monaghan

Fermanagh took a bit of flack after their victory in a turgid contest against Donegal.

But the bottom line was that Dominic Corrigan's side were always in control at Brewster Park.

Their tactics in negating the Donegal attack may not have been pretty but they got the job done.

If a Fermanagh attack which includes classy performers such as Raymond Gallagher, Tom Brewster and Stephen Maguire gets the same level of possession as Monaghan did, the Ernesiders will win.

Admittely, Down have classy attackers of their own in the shape of Benny Coulter, Michael Walsh, Ronan Murtagh and Dan Gordon - if he passes a late fitness test.

However, Fermanagh midfielders Paul Brewster and Martin McGrath are capable of ensuring a less fruitful afternoon for Gregory McCartan.

Down did overcome a poor Fermanagh challenge in the opening National League game in February but the Ernesiders look a better balanced team and should earn a final place against Tyrone on 13 July.

Meanwhile, it's still not clear whether Allstar Eamonn O'Hara will be fit to line out for Sligo in Sunday's qualifier against Donegal at Ballybofey (1415).

O'Hara is still struggling with a groin injury picked up in the defeat by Mayo.

Sligo fancied

If O'Hara doesn't make it, Kieran Quinn could start for the Yeats County.

Donegal's team shows three changes from the win over Longford but there is still no place for the injured Brendan Devenney.

Brian McEniff recalls Jim McGuinness, Christy Toye and Kevin Cassidy for the match.

McGuinness and Toye were dropped for the Longford game while Cassidy wasn't considered for disciplinary reasons.

Kevin Rafferty and John Haran are dropped to accommodate McGuinness and Toye while Cassidy returns because of Noel McGinley's absence through injury.

Brian McEniff's team produced a huge improvement against Longford after the truly shocking effort against Fermanagh.

However, Sligo nevertheless get a hesitant vote to win the north west derby.

Down: M McVeigh; J Clarke, B Burns, B Grant; J Lavery, A Molloy, M Cole; S Ward, G McCartan; L Doyle, B Coulter, C McCrickard; M Walsh, D Gordon, R Murtagh.