Ryan McAnespie (Monaghan)
Having been plagued with a hamstring injury since returning from Australia during the summer of 2023, Ryan McAnespie has found fitness and form under new manager Gabriel Bannigan.
The Emyvale man has been key for his side for many a season now, chipping in with 0-4 as The Farney qualified for a first All-Ireland semi-final in 30 years with a Super 8 victory over Galway back in 2018.
There is hope within the county that something similar may be possible in 2025 with a win over Down, with McAnespie now primarily at wing-back as opposed to wing-forward.
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And injuries seem to have eased up (another minor hamstring injury sustained against Westmeath aside) with McAnespie having played eight of Monaghan’s 11 matches in 2025, including the League defeat to Down in Clones.
The recent form of Danny Magill – a star in the early rounds of the Sigerson Cup before bursting back into life this Championship campaign – could mean he will be tracked by a man who would pride himself on being among the most athletic players in the country.
McAnespie’s mother Brenda is a two-time All-Ireland winner with Monaghan in 1996 and 1997, with Bannigan’s charges seventh favourites according to bookies in terms of All-Ireland credentials.
Down for their part are 10th in those stakes, but neither side will be looking beyond Armagh and a potentially season defining Ulster derby.
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Ceilum Doherty (Down)
If any man is to have confidence coursing through them on the road to the Cathedral City, it will be Céilum Doherty.
The utility defender lined out in the number four jersey and kicked a score in the vital win over Louth, but it was his defensive interventions that were so crucial, overshadowed by a block of pure beauty by Adam Crimmins, if there is such a thing.
In the win over a Croke Park-bound Monaghan this spring, Doherty was key once more wearing six, and he and his teammates know that this time a win will severely hamper the Farney – unlike that Division Two clash in March.
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That win will boost Conor Laverty’s men, and Doherty will be among those to draw from Kilcoo’s big semi-final win over Scotstown in last year’s club Championship.
Míceál Rooney notched two green flags on that occasion, with Doherty key to one of those with an assist.
With the likes of Stephen O’Hanlon and Micheál Bannigan to marshall, getting forward won’t be just as easy, with 2023 Allstar Conor McCarthy even reverting back to the forward line in recent games – scoring a goal against Clare.
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Should O’Hanlon line out as one of Gabriel Bannigan’s inside three, Doherty could well be elected to stick to him like glue.
But the 2024 Tailteann Cup winner will also be crucial if Laverty opts to go more zonal, a structure most sides are using to defend half-forwards if not inside forwards.
