Guess what? After another gruelling Ulster club championship, the final will most likely be won by the side with less injuries. No more than you'd expect, just like today's final pairing which brings together two of the provinces' giants.

Crossmaglen, having won 11 county championships in a row, contest their fifth Ulster final.

They've yet to lose a single one, nor have they lost any of the All Ireland finals they've made it to.

But Ballinderry are equally intimidating. They've gone 22 games unbeaten this season, made Mayobridge look like they should become a hurling club and took Errigal Ciaran for 3-15 in the semi-final replay. Whoever wins will surely fancy an All Ireland.

That fact only adds to the immensity of today's game and the pressure on those contesting the key battle. This is all about the Cross defence and Ballinderry attack. It's why the recovery of Francie Bellew is so crucial.

Having missed the semi-final win against Clontibret, the full-back is expected to come off the bench and how Cross could do with him.

Conleth Gilligan kicked eight points for Shamrocks last time out but right across the Ballinderry forward line . . . also containing Enda Muldoon and Darren Conway (right) . . . there is height and class. But Bellew's return and the recovery of Stephen Kernan could tip it Cross's way.

Ballinderry have similar injury worries with full-back Niall McCusker and Paul Wilson likely to miss out. Both are key defenders and without them the Derry champions will struggle to contain the likes of Oisin McConville and John McEntee. If they don't, there'll be the familiar sight of the Armagh champions come the new year.

Verdict Crossmaglen by one