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Two of Ulster's leading defenders have found themselves in the role of reluctant spectators recently.
All-Ireland winners Andy Mallon and Enda McNulty have been forced to watch from the wings as their team has charted an indifferent course through the National League.
Defeats by Westmeath, Monaghan and Meath had threatened Armagh with the faint possibility of demotion before security was achieved through that spectacular win over Dublin at the weekend.
And having most of the recent action, both Mallon and McNulty are keen to step up their fight for places in the side again now that they are well on the way to recovery from injury.
Pearse Og clubman Mallon hopes to get some game time against Cork on Sunday while McNulty is also easing his way back into the frame again, yet manager Peter McDonnell is likely to resist the temptation to tamper with a defensive unit that largely shackled the Dubs attack.
Rarely is Mark Vaughan held scoreless while the Dublin full-forward line as a unit contributed just two points from play - and both those came from senior citizen Jason Sherlock.
In contrast, the same unit scored 3-11 of their team's total against Roscommon the previous week.
Now as Armagh focus on perhaps improving their position in the table further at Cork's expense, their defensive old hands are relishing the prospect of returning in advance of the Ulster championship.
"Obviously it has been frustrating having to just watch matches but I would hope to be back this week in some shape or form. There is now more competition for places in the side," said Mallon.
McNulty, known for his fierce commitment to Armagh despite being based in Dublin, had already indicated that reclaiming his place was high on his agenda. Barry Shannon, Brendan Donaghy and Finian Noriarty have been forming a youthful, yet maturing Armagh full-back line of late although manager McDonnell has hinted that rather too many goals have been conceded somewhat easily.
With Francie Bellew having been given a little game time against Roscommon and Meath, there are now three of the heroes of the '02 All-Ireland triumph ready to make their presence felt once again.
