'We will be on one side of the Hill they will be on the other'

"Down have been pretty useless for the last ten years so it's good to see they're not so bad now and there can be a bit of a rivalry again."

There has been talk of joint buses of supporters travelling to Clones, but Daniel Carr from Down isn't sure about that: "I think that's probably a bad enough idea."

"But it's been a good buzz for the Down ones because we pulled off a good win (against Donegal) but it's going to be a tough challenge," he said.

Karl Kimmons said he remembers the rivalry stretching back into his childhood [BBC]

While Newry is surrounded by clubs playing in the Down and Armagh Leagues, historically all clubs within the town boundary have played in Down.

That changed a decade ago when Thomas Davis GAC moved from rural Corrinshego to new grounds inside the city boundary.

According to chairman Karl Kimmins there is a growing Armagh support in the city, in part because of the county's greater success in recent years.

"I grew up in Barcroft and we had an Armagh flag and my neighbour had a Down flag," he said.

"I remember going to a game and when I got back he'd replaced my flag with his. But it's good natured.

"You have to remember that the whole of the west side of Newry is in Armagh - but it's not straightforward."

"We have players and coaches that support Down but we are an Armagh club. I think people mostly associate Newry with Down because their county ground is here – even though part of it is in Armagh."

And this comment is a particular sore point for many Down fans.

That's because although Pairc Esler sits on what's perceived to be the County Down side of the Clanrye River, official maps show that nearly three quarters of the 20,000 capacity stadium is in fact in Armagh.

This makes it the only county ground in Ireland to largely be located in the wrong county.

The upcoming match is the main talking point in Newry [BBC]

Further up the river the Town Hall sits on top of a bridge helpfully named The Armagh Down and on the city's main street the game is the main talking point.

Finn Rooney is a local taxi driver who lives on the County Down side of the divide in Mayobridge. His wife is from County Armagh.

"All I know is they've been queuing up at SuperValu for tickets. I was very surprised last week (when they beat Donegal) but why not?"

Ciara McAteer may have a surname synonymous with the County Down village of Ballyholland, but she said she's Armagh through and through.

"Armagh are going to hammer them. They will definitely win."

"I've got my ticket already," Colleen McDonald agreed. "I think Armagh will pull through."

But Joan Ferrick from Rostrevor is dreaming of a Down win.

"They have to do it for the Down people. They owe it to Down to win this game," she said.

No pressure.