Jamie Clarke knows that a special welcoming party will be awaiting him when he arrives at Healy Park, Omagh for Armagh’s vital all-ticket third round All-Ireland football qualifier against old foes Tyrone on Saturday.

But the welcome will be more red alert than red carpet since it will be given by a Tyrone defence anxious to shackle the threat that the gifted sharpshooter poses to their team’s chances of remaining in the hunt for ‘Sam’.

The 21-year-old Crossmaglen Rangers ace followed up the five points which he scored in the draw against Wicklow on Saturday week last with an even more impressive 2-2 in the orchard county’s win at Aughrim at the weekend.

And nowhere has Clarke’s contribution been assessed more closely than in Tyrone where manager Mickey Harte is preparing a blueprint which he hopes will see his team build on their fine win over Longford.

Tyrone’s morale was severely dented in that Ulster semi-final defeat by Donegal, but Harte and skipper Brian Dooher have worked to restore belief and optimism within the squad.

While there is speculation that Owen Mulligan may have called time on his inter-county career and the management still have some injury concerns, Tyrone know that victory over Paddy O’Rourke’s side would see them reclaim their place in the frame for possible All-Ireland glory.

Clarke is viewed as a major barrier to their ambitions and the player himself is looking forward to the contest against the Red Hands.

“We were very glad to get that win over Wicklow and it has given us all a lift, but we are now going in against a Tyrone side that feel they have a big point to make. This will be a big test for both teams,” said Clarke.

Manager O’Rourke believes that Clarke’s penchant for grabbing vital goals can help underpin any further progress which Armagh might make in the All-Ireland series.

“Jamie got his goals at just the right time against Wicklow and this provided us with the impetus to kick on for victory. The fact that we have now been drawn against Tyrone presents us with a massive challenge, but we are up for it,” said O’Rourke.

“Tyrone had a break last week-end and will be fresh, but we are not complaining. We are still in the championship and that is the important thing.”

While Clarke has been grabbing the headlines with Armagh, another young gun has been firing out a deadly message with Tyrone.

Peter Harte may not have enjoyed the best of success against Donegal at Clones, when he was uncharacteristically wide from a couple of important free-kicks, but he hit the high spots against Longford by bagging half-a-dozen fine points to underpin his team’s win.

In addition, his work off the ball and willingness to track back helped to take the weight off his defence.

He looks a certain starter for Saturday’s game, but there are grave doubts about the availability of Stephen O’Neill and Owen Mulligan.

With Kyle Coney having made an impact against Longford and Mark Donnelly continuing to justify the faith that Mickey Harte has been showing in him, the Tyrone attack is beginning to assume something of a new look.

Meanwhile, Derry will now face Kildare in Croke Park just six days after their shattering defeat against Donegal in the Ulster final.

All Ireland qualifiers: Saturday, Round Three: Tyrone v Armagh (Omagh 7pm), Round Four: Derry v Kildare (Coke Park 4pm), Cork v Down (Croke Park 6pm), Wexford v Limerick (Portlaoise 7pm). All Ireland Minor Hurling Quarter-Final: Antrim v Galway (Parnell Park 3pm).