By Jarlath Burns

AS TEAMS who have not reached their divisional finals sift through the debris of their league campaign and take a rest from training for a week or two before the onslaught of championship preparation, the shock from Armagh's tanking by Cork continues to reverberate around the county.

It's obvious that last week's news of the retirements of Francie Bellew, Paul McGrane and Paddy McKeever took their toll on this panel because they looked dreadful in every department apart from Charlie Vernon, who was outstanding. By the way, I knew as soon as I saw the white jerseys that they were on the back foot because I don't ever remember Armagh winning in them, but that's another story.

This performance has come at a bad time for the Armagh management because it casts doubts over selections that had become trusted ones over the winter and creates uncertainty and lack of confidence within the team at the worst possible time. It also emphasises the need for Armagh fans to be patient and allow the management space and time to rebuild a strong team out of the ashes of the 2002 squad.

The period of mid-April into early May is the most gruelling one for county teams as the drudge of the League gives way to the frenzy of the championship. Players can await three weeks of sheer hell on the sand dunes, in city parks and on mountains as they run up hill and down dale to find that extra gear needed for the summer. But Armagh need more than this.

For Armagh to beat Tyrone in Clones they need the following

A full back

Numerous options have been tried here over the winter, but nobody as steadfast or as trustworthy as Francie has emerged. Add to this the fact that the number three will line out against Sean Cavanagh in the first round and the gravity of the predicament increases.

Two extra gears

Good teams learn lessons in the league and deliver them in the championship. Armagh to their credit did this last year when after a low profile and average set of run outs in the league, they sprang to life in June and won the Ulster. However, that one gear was all they needed with no Tyrone, Derry or Donegal in their half of the draw. When they needed another one for Croke Park it simply wasn't there. The worry this year is that Armagh mightn't have an extra gear at all and this time Tyrone await them in late May, so there's absolutely no room for manoeuvre.

A leader

With Paul McGrane now retired, the last of Armagh's natural leaders has gone. When he and McGeeney were standing in that pre-match huddle, you knew safe hands were at the helm and sense was being talked. This is a period of transition for the team and while Ciaran McKeever can inspire with a great tackle or a brilliant interception, he can't do all the leading on his own. Armagh have plenty of future leaders, but no one stands out at the moment.

A centre half forward

Numerous options have been tried here with varying degrees of success and failure. Brian Mallon is better on the wing, Aidan O'Rourke is better in defence and no one else on the panel has the presence or the cuteness to play this role effectively. The man they need would be able to help out midfield, leave space for Ronan Clarke, be a natural scorer and have a certain defensive instinct if he is to fit into the current Armagh game plan. Time is running out to find one.

A strong bench

When John McEntee got injured in the All Ireland final of 2002, Barry O'Hagan was able to come on and play virtually the whole match. Here was a seventh forward every bit as good as the other six who fitted in perfectly and played his full part in the victory. When Armagh were losing by six points last Sunday and Peter looked at his bench, there was nobody of that character and ability who could turn round this deficit. It takes at least eighteen players of similar quality to win big matches. I'm not sure if Armagh have that sort of luxury within their resources this year.

A born scorer

Armagh have plenty of scorers of good points, but not enough good scorers of points. Someone who could get about seven a match and be totally relied upon for frees. Another Oisin. But no one in the panel fits this description at present.

I know this is a grim assessment of Armagh post-League, particularly since some of the performances were promising and the Cork defeat came after three straight wins. However the first round of the championship leaves no room for further experimentation and the team that runs out in Clones on the last day of May had better be ready for a slice of hell for seventy minutes if they are to beat Tyrone. If they don't win that match, it's not the end of the world and Armagh could even prosper later on if they suffered up to a five point defeat. However regardless of what experts tell us, it would be foolish to look beyond Tyrone in either victory or defeat. Both these counties like to yardstick their progress against each other and in recent summers they have been kept apart, but not this year. Armagh have a good record against Tyrone in Clones, but they'll need more than the record book on their side if they are to get to the Ulster semi. At this point the signs are not promising, but a lot can happen over the next six weeks.