By Cian O’Connell

Armagh’s Stephen Sheridan is set to miss Saturday evening’s All Ireland SFC Round Two Qualifier against Monaghan at St Tiernach’s Park.

Sheridan suffered a knee problem in Armagh’s dramatic Ulster Quarter-Final victory over Down and subsequently the two thrilling matches against Cavan at the penultimate stage up north.

The Forkhill clubman, though, won’t be fully recovered for the upcoming encounter with Monaghan. “I suppose the injury against Down was a freak accident, I ended up doing my MCL, I'm on the mend, yes, but unfortunately not fit enough for this weekend just yet,” Sheridan confirmed.

A return to competitive action isn’t too far away according to Sheridan. “Definitely it is now weeks rather than months,” Sheridan says. “I'd like to think that if we get through this weekend that I will play a part with Armagh before the end of the year at some stage.”

Missing the Cavan tussles was demanding with Sheridan impressed by the efficiency of Mickey Graham’s outfit, who now collide with Donegal in an eagerly anticipated Ulster showpiece on Sunday.

“I was contemplating staying at home for the second Cavan game to be honest, it is hard to watch on,” Sheridan remarks about the unfortunate timing of the injury.

“The boys are out trying to do their jobs in tight enough games. Small percentages tipped the game against us in the last one. We had serious goal chances early on against Cavan, but we didn't take them.

“Cavan were hugely productive in terms of their scoring efficiency. I think they ended up kicking only three wides against us.

“They were definitely on their game the second day out and we were probably a little bit off it with our scoring chances. That ended up being the deciding point in the game. Watching on is not easy when you see it coming down to the wire like that.”