Jimmy Smyth was in the eye of the storm as captain and centre forward of the Armagh team when they came to Croke Park in the damp September day of 1977.

He found his team knocked back on their heels at an early stage of the match when Jimmy Keaveney sent in a viciously dipping shot over the head of Brian McAlinden in the Armagh goal. It was a cruel blow and one from which Armagh made courageous efforts to recover.

Their efforts were in vain although they managed to score 3-6 in reply to Dublin's 5-12.

Now Armagh are back in Croke Park again, this time against Meath. Smyth refuses to suggest that Armagh will win. "I am the world's worst tipster. If I forecast that Armagh would win they would be sure to lose and I am going for Meath in the hope that my forecast will be wrong," he says, tongue firmly in his cheek.

"There is little point in people like me looking into a crystal ball. We are up against one of the best and most consistent teams in the country over the past several years. Sean Boylan is one of the shrewdest people in the game and anyone who does not respect for him and his team are fooling themselves.

"But Armagh have a very good chance. Armagh have had a good year and most of the players have experience of Croke Park from the National League and from Crossmaglen's appearances in the club championship."

He believes that Brian McAlinden, one half of the Armagh management team with Brian Canavan, will have the experience to calm his players and prepare them for the pressures which are inevitable on such an occasion.

"Brian has been through the experience and that is a valuable thing to have in this situation."