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When was the last time Armagh were beaten in Championship football that didn't involve penalties?

It's concerning how long it's taking to get a few of the All Ireland winning team back in the fold, or maybe it's a case that they're timing their run, I hope for the latter.  Some excellent additions to the setup including Callum O'Neill, McMullan and McCormack. 

As against Tyrone, Armagh seem to find a way to let the opponents back into it in the second half, although Gough did give a hand in that effort on Saturday.

Donegal are rightly favourites for Ulster.

Tyrone beat Armagh in the Group Stages in 2023.

A game that most pundits seem to forget about.

Dont know how many times i've seen pundits say Armagh have been unbeaten since 2022 v Donegal in Ulster when Tyrone beat them the year after.

Ulster games have been poor enough like you say. I don't think Donegal look world beaters yet and Armagh definitely not as good as last year. Murphy probably wasn't quite as prominent for Donegal (from what I saw) and lost the rag a bit. I think Donegal will edge the final though but I think Armagh would love to win ulster as it's been a long time too.

Down were off the pace. I do wonder with how Laverty approaches games and how he fits / adapts to the new rules. It will be interesting how they fare in the qualifiers but I think they could struggle.

Jury still out in Tyrone but I think it's probably more a long term project and they are definitely going the right direction.

Not sure how you can say Armagh don't look as good as last year with any great certainty just yet.

Armagh struggled over Down last year in the semi finals.

They've arguably looked better this year than they did this time last year. They've beaten better opposition anyway.

Jury is still out though.

What is the rule on the backpass to the goalie by the way?

Is he allowed to touch the ball with any part of the body?

Or just hands.

And what is the punishment 21 metre free?

Can you take it back outside the arc for a 2 pointer?

I'm from Kildare and I disagree. That was a proper championship game v Louth with real jeopardy yesterday.

If you are good enough you are in Sam.

It still would have had similar jeopardy if it effected next years championship status though.

In club football you know what grade of championship you are in at the start of the year. In soccer you know if your going to be in the Champions league or Europa league or Conference.

Same in Rugby.

I think the Tailteann Cup is suffering because of this.

Was at that game, he was exceptional. Did miss a few long range free though.

What ever happened Oisin McWilliams was tipped for a bright future for club and county (one of the few subs Meenagh and Gallagher used). He broke down before the 2023 All Ireland series group game against Clare with a fractured leg i dont recall him playing again even for the Swa.

Is this Tony Scullions burner account?

Is it about time we started being more positive about football and quit letting people put the game down.

All 4 provinces have been very competitive this year and not too many hammerings.

Hurling which apparently can do no wrong has seen no end of hammerings in the last couple of weeks even Munster seen a couple today.

We need to be more like hurling people and talk up the championships.

Kilkenny were (unfortunately) were always going to stuff us today and that is the reality of that, but in fairness to the Cork Tipp game, when you lose a player at the throw in, in Cork, then there was only going to be one out come.

The Dub Wexford game was pretty good though and Wexford will feel hard done by, Galway hammered Offaly and no one seen that coming.

But yeah, the football bar the Donegal game which I watch in parts was pretty good, the second half of the Dublin Meath game was pretty good..   

Don't get me wrong i'm not trying to run down Hurling.

Why cant we be positive about sports instead of pitting them against each other.

Harsh enough on Derry dropping to 4th seeds.

Is it really? Since the winning penalty in last year's league final they've done the square root of f**k all.

Very true but you wouldn't expect to drop to 4th seeds when in division 1.

First time it's happened I think.

Is it about time we started being more positive about football and quit letting people put the game down.

All 4 provinces have been very competitive this year and not too many hammerings.

Hurling which apparently can do no wrong has seen no end of hammerings in the last couple of weeks even Munster seen a couple today.

We need to be more like hurling people and talk up the championships.

Paddy McBrearty will be a little surprised to pick up that potm award. What did he have, 5 touches?

Philly McMahon strikes again... I thought McHugh was brilliant in defence and linking with attack.

Does Philly have much of a clue there?

Does Philly McMahon be taking the P*SS or does he genuinely not have a clue?

Finalists and where they finished in league that year

2024 -  Down 1st in Div 3  Laois  1st in Div 4

2023 -  Meath 6th in Div 2  Down 3rd in Div 3

2022 -  Westmeath 3rd in Div 3 and  Cavan 1st in Div 4

Instead of a need for 3rd tier perhaps leave the Tailteann Cup to Div 3 teams minus the two promoted teams and  the 8 Div 4 teams plus New York?

In my opinion the Tailteann Cup should be based on last year's league standings not this year.

This way you know what competition you're playing that given year you can set targets and it's not a disappointment for likes of Kildare when they'd have been expecting to play Sam Maguire this year

It felt like this day would never come for Meath people. We've been through some awful times where we could have lost all hope.
Anyway, it's great to feel like we're back!
Pity it's Louth we're playing the Leinster final. Some people refuse to move on from 2010.

Louth marginal favorites with the bookies at the minute.

50 50 game.

Joe Brolly has a shelf life shorter than bread.

Not that short.. he was a pundit 20 years ago and here we are still talking bout him... Columnist with Sunday Independent and huge following for his podcast. .

Yes, in all those roles he has run out any original thought very quickly. He is the Dealz version of Eamon Dunphy.

Jees! GAA and RTÉ cud do with those two now... like watching paint dry these days. Dunphy probably too old now.
Brolly's podcasts are often very good especially calling out Israeli genocide, the Unionist mindset, this far right surge and does his homework. They have a huge following.. 

Will Brolly have a podcast this week saying why Meaths win doesn't really matter as it's only Leinster championship.

Then spend the next 40 minutes eulogizing about Pat Gilroy and Jim Gavin?

More likely be a podcast about that shower of MAGA maggots marching through Dublin yesterday with banners of Trump and McGregor.
I wouldn't too carried away with Meaths win, bigger story Louth could win their first Leinster since 1957.. I hope so!

Louth are marginal favorites with Boyle sports.

Would be incredible to see

Joe Brolly has a shelf life shorter than bread.

Not that short.. he was a pundit 20 years ago and here we are still talking bout him... Columnist with Sunday Independent and huge following for his podcast. .

Yes, in all those roles he has run out any original thought very quickly. He is the Dealz version of Eamon Dunphy.

Jees! GAA and RTÉ cud do with those two now... like watching paint dry these days. Dunphy probably too old now.
Brolly's podcasts are often very good especially calling out Israeli genocide, the Unionist mindset, this far right surge and does his homework. They have a huge following.. 

Will Brolly have a podcast this week saying why Meaths win doesn't really matter as it's only Leinster championship.

Then spend the next 40 minutes eulogizing about Pat Gilroy and Jim Gavin?

Holy mary mother of god. I'll be honest I thought we had a chance. Why ? I think for last two years we were very badly managed. The players were insulted by saying there wasn't a David Clifford or con O'Callahan in Meath. And the reason we weren't competitive was because the players weren't there. Forget about beating them but competitive? 
Yeah get lost. We have a manager who players respect, we have a game plan and players who refused to play last couple of years back and putting everything on the line. 
That all said I was worried 12 points wasn't enough at halftime. And when it went down to two I got a sinking feeling. But by jasus did we dig in. I was one of the oldest on the pitch. I went absolutely bananas. I can't believe it still. 15 bloody years of hurt and pain. Over in 70 minutes.
The dubs around me shook my hand they congratulated us they wished us well. And deep down while they are disappointed I think some were glad we finally got them. Call it grudging respect. Or they sick of the whole Leinster is crap stuff and split Dublin in two.
It's midnight and my adrenaline is so high I don't think I'll sleep a wink.
One final thing.
Hon the royal

Fair play to you's.

Meath have some impressive athletes that are massive in height but can move at serious pace which isn't that common.

Where were these guys in recent years it usually takes several years of the right training and conditioning to get up to the level some of them guys showed today.

Harsh enough on Derry dropping to 4th seeds.

If Cork had of beat Kerry we'd have had 4 great provincial finals to look forward to but 3 ain't bad.

Tyrone would have also slipped down to 4th seeds.

The draw on Wednesday should be interesting.