It’s not often that Madden get to contest an Armagh Senior Football Championship Semi-Final but they will embark on this mission emboldened by the faith which manager Mark Harte has been showing in his squad of late.
Madden will confront Clan na Gael in the first of the last four clashes at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday (5.30pm) conscious that they will be coming up against a side that has been on fire lately.
Manager Harte, son of Tyrone legend Mickey, has instilled fresh confidence in Madden but they will nonetheless find the going tough.
While Armagh ace Niall Grimley has been pulling the strings at midfield for Madden, Stefan Campbell and Shane McParlan have been lifting the Clans to a new high.
And it’s this that adds considerable appeal to a game that could prove to be an absorbing battle.
Campbell in particular has been in majestic form lately and if he produces the goods again today, his side might well secure their place in the decider.
Sunday’s second Semi-Final at the Athletic Grounds (5.00pm) will see perennial champions Crossmaglen Rangers pit their skills against those of Clann Eireann who will have county team trio Conor Turbitt, Tiernan Kelly and Barry McCambridge pulling the strings within their side.
While the Rangers are not short on talent given that Rian O’Neill, Oisin O’Neill, Cian McConville and Stephen Morris in particular are on top of their form, they nonetheless are aware that Clann Eireann will offer a formidable challenge.
The Fermanagh SFC Semi-Finals will take place on Sunday with Ederney facing Enniskillen Gaels at Tempo (1.00pm) while Derrygonnelly Harps will confront Erne Gaels at Kinawley (4.30pm).
Martin McGrath is still a driving force within the Ederney side while Enniskillen Gaels can look to Conor McShea, Jack Tierney, Jonny Cassidy and John Reihill to stoke their fire.
Ultan Kelm has been a key player in the Erne Gaels side of late but there is now speculation that he might pursue a career in Australian Rules football. Nonetheless along with his two brothers he is expected to be in the vanguard of the Erne Gaels bid to lower Enniskillen Gaels colours.
The Derry SFC Quarter-Finals will be staged over the course of the weekend when there will be a strong spotlight on Saturday’s games in particular between reigning champions Glen and Lavey (3.15pm) while the Newbridge v Bellaghy clash (7.00pm) has already aroused considerable interest .
On Sunday Slaughtneil will be at home to Ballinascreen (4.45pm) in a Quarter-Final that could prove to be a lively affair while O’Donovan Rossa and Dungiven will clash at Magherafelt (6.30pm).
On Sunday night the second Tyrone SFC Semi-Final will see Killyclogher meet Errigal Ciaran at Healy Park, Omagh (7.00pm).
Killyclogher have looked sharp of late while Errigal Ciaran underlined their hunger and drive in overcoming Clonoe in a replay.
They will look to the Canavan brothers Ruairi and Darragh along with Peter Harte and Joe Oguz to help them hurdle a Killyclogher side for whom Mark Bradley has been in fine scoring form of late.