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The talk of Jarly Og's mark is a red herring, if Jarly was given a bag of O Neills and stood on that spot in Clones till next Sunday he wouldn't have make that kick. Soup should have had a pop at his , but again he had just missed a similar one so he maybe didnt feel good about it. A wild wide and handing back procession to Patton was not the right option. When Conaty dropped short was a turning point I feel,he should have recycled, maybe bit of inexperience but the lad had a great game other than that and his wide at the last.

Very harsh and don't agree with that at all, Jarly Og is well capable of kicking a ball over the bar from 35-40m on the correct side of the pitch given his kicking style. If that was the case he shouldn't have bothered calling the mark in the first instance. I don't particularly like the rule to begin with but it is there to be taken advantage of where spaces in defence are tight in the closing stages of games.

It's a sad indictment of gaelic football that some people think a ball should be recycled backwards from a shooting position inside the 45m line and that they can't trust a player to have a shot at the posts. Playing the low risk percentages might be part of the reason why we can't see out these matches, its a fear mindset.     

[But Donaghy telling Jarly Og to recycle a mark that was scoreable]

Armagh fold again on Penalties, Why was Rian O'Neil taken off. Awful way to lose a game. Some Armagh supporters argue that's that a draw! 4 point up with 20 mins to go, Armagh went bck into their shell instead pushing on.

This time Armagh did not fold, good save to win it. Rian couldn't walk at full time, physio was working on him he had run out of gas. Why Oisin doesn't start or come in earlier is a mystery. But Donaghy telling Jarly Og to recycle a mark that was scoreable  points to a mindset that leads to losing games. Twice at least they had the game won and then stopped doing what was working for them. Players running into dead ends and not taking opportunities points to that  same mindset. Something needs to change, if not McGeeney then the back room. They need a change of direction. Some incredible scores yesterday from both teams, fair play Donegal they found a a way.

I've heard that said by some people but the players have to stand up and be counted sometimes also. Jarly Og was in a decent position for a right footed kicker who likes to draw the ball in. It was a 6 out of 10 kick but kicking it backwards was not the correct option in that position at that stage of the game. The Soupy one was the wrong side of the pitch for a player trying to draw the ball in with his right boot and was a lower percentage but it was still worth a shot at goal. They both should have took a few seconds to weigh up their options before kicking it away in a rush. There was no guarantee that we were going to get a better chance to win the game at the point which they called their marks. The mark ultimately taken by Kelly was no probably easier than either of those shots but there is no fault on him for having the courage to go for the shot and he did at least strike through the ball. 

Well done to Donegal, they somehow found a way to win even though I can't say they necessarily deserved it on the balance of play. Neither did Armagh though as others have stated.

Yet again we found an ourselves in a tight game going down the stretch. It was always likely to end up in such an outcome when you engage in a low risk, possession style game of you attack, we attack. Then it becomes a 50/50 game of nerve and long distance kicking contest. Our efficiency was off the charts for 45/50 minutes but deserted us as the game wore on.

We can look back with regret on marks not taken, a missed mark, a gilt edged goal chance not taken and a few questionable refereeing decisions but ultimately we didn't do enough to win the match. The fear of losing took over again going down the stretch as I feared it might. Horrible to lose on penalties again but the rules are the same for both sides so no complaints, we didn't do enough to win the game even though I felt we were the better side for large parts.

It will be a tough ask to lift the team for the qualifiers now and unfortunately it might be the last chance some of those players had of lifting silverware.

Fair play to Donegal though they won that Ulster the hard way from a very difficult draw and even though it's not a pretty style of football I doubt if they'll care one jot now. McGuinness has proven himself as an elite manager again. 

Could be a  last shot at ulster for alot of Armagh players like Grugan, Campbell, Murnin, Forker who have given great service to Armagh for 10 plus years.  There is not alot between the sides, though Donegal will have the edge on the sideline and have came through the tougher side of the draw. 

My main hope is that Armagh play on the front foot, but the likelyhood is that it will be low scoring and a lot of possession based football. 

This game would have been earmarked as season defining by most supporters back when the Ulster championship draw was made last Autumn. You could also say that it could well define the Geezer era. The only surprise is that it is Donegal and not Derry whom we face. It does feel like now or never for a lot of those players but then you could have said the same last season and yet we have arrived back in another final with a good chance of winning.

I really hope we don't fall into the trap of engaging in the slugfest that many seem to be predicting, it doesn't really suit the type of player we have. If it is reduced to a hand passing, possession style game then I think Donegal have better players than us at this type of game. However we have the better kick passers and are more suited to that fast, physical game. We need to play to the strengths of our best players like Rian, Grugan and Murnin and not rely on running the ball endlessly up the pitch. We also have a lot of firepower to introduce from the bench in the last 20 minutes which could be crucial.     

I don't know. I just have visions of Rian O'Neill giving a Tohillesque tour de force, driving Armagh on to win through sheer force of will.

Pundits leaning Armagh from what I've heard so far. "It's their time!" seems to be the consensus.

O'Neill will do well to see out the game!

on what basis?

He's a hothead...could have went 3 times with close fist tackles / hits along the Gerry Arthur side last year.

he looks to have settled some this year, albeit he hasnt played an awful lot. I hope he has as we wont win without him

Think he's definitely learned to play on the edge not over it. Absolutely we need him in top form to have any hope

It has worked out well playing him around the middle in the last few games since he can play his way into the game, get on the ball a lot more and therefore he doesn't get as frustrated as when he is playing inside. The break has done him good and his long range kicking ability and free taking will be vital on Sunday.   

Madrid never really look that impressive but they are the masters of knock out football and knowing how to win big games. Can't see Dortmund putting it up to them in the final either.

Not a fan of VAR but that was one occasion where it was of use.

I dont buy this Donegal BS (esp M.Murphy), that Donegal are only few months into their plan.

Many of these players were around in previous successful regimes.

They have plenty of experienced players so they will not be viewing this as bonus territory, they will be going to win and will expect to win. There is no guarantee they will be back next year and you need to strike when the iron is hot. Same as Armagh. But that wasn't the most notable part of the article. That was reserved for him claiming that Ethan Rafferty should start the final after 10 months of not playing a match. Of course he would love that to happen so that McGuinness can set up another Odhran Lynch style ambush.

In more cute hoor-ism, McBrearty in Irish News said they do practice penalties... 1 page over, McGuinness said they dont... no time 

Jimmy was on the back page of the Irish News a few days ago stating that Patton would be fit for the final. Which makes me think that he actually won't be fit!

I dont buy this Donegal BS (esp M.Murphy), that Donegal are only few months into their plan.

Many of these players were around in previous successful regimes.

They have plenty of experienced players so they will not be viewing this as bonus territory, they will be going to win and will expect to win. There is no guarantee they will be back next year and you need to strike when the iron is hot. Same as Armagh. But that wasn't the most notable part of the article. That was reserved for him claiming that Ethan Rafferty should start the final after 10 months of not playing a match. Of course he would love that to happen so that McGuinness can set up another Odhran Lynch style ambush.

[Armagh will have to play the same way they did against Down and hope that the forwards they have will play better than Donegal's.]

On the actual game I think it'll be a snoozefest much like Tyrone Donegal/Armagh Down. Armagh will have to play the same way they did against Down and hope that the forwards they have will play better than Donegal's. I think they just about have the better players but there will be vey little in it.

Bookies with a 1pt handicap aren't usually too far wrong!

This is what Donegal would love us to do. Play the game on their terms and reduce it to an arm wrestle that ends up as another game of nerves in the last 5 minutes since they are the masters at this type of game. If we are looking for a template then go back to the 2022 championship when we played them twice.

The first time we sat back and engaged in a defensive arm wrestle that ended in a comprehensive defeat. We drew them again in the qualifiers and went more front foot, high energy, gung ho type game and we inflicted a heavy defeat on them. The latter is the template for beating them on Sunday. Press all of their kick outs since they have an untested goalkeeper or even if Patton is fit to play he will not be in top shape. Kick plenty of ball inside as I think they are weak at defending one on one in their full back line. Plus we have the ball winning personnel to cause them trouble. If we play a hard running game of containment it plays to the strengths of Donegal and reduces the game to a long range point kicking contest and a game of nerve.   

I could be absolutely wrong of course and I hope that Armagh play direct man to man and do inflict a heavy defeat on Donegal. If only that the game seemed to have moved on a bit to a more man to man style recently and Donegal have taken it right back to basics so I hope that style is beaten.

I just think that if Armagh had to play negatively against a very poor Down team they'll be primed for the same approach against a better version of it!

Down didn't have players who were capable of kicking points outside 30 metres, the difference is that Donegal do have those players.

It doesn't have to be man to man, those days are long gone. But we need to leave at least 3 forwards up the pitch and leave us with a kicking option on the counter attack and press their kick outs to take them out of their comfort zone. Anything else is to ply Donegal on their own terms.

[Armagh will have to play the same way they did against Down and hope that the forwards they have will play better than Donegal's.]

On the actual game I think it'll be a snoozefest much like Tyrone Donegal/Armagh Down. Armagh will have to play the same way they did against Down and hope that the forwards they have will play better than Donegal's. I think they just about have the better players but there will be vey little in it.

Bookies with a 1pt handicap aren't usually too far wrong!

This is what Donegal would love us to do. Play the game on their terms and reduce it to an arm wrestle that ends up as another game of nerves in the last 5 minutes since they are the masters at this type of game. If we are looking for a template then go back to the 2022 championship when we played them twice.

The first time we sat back and engaged in a defensive arm wrestle that ended in a comprehensive defeat. We drew them again in the qualifiers and went more front foot, high energy, gung ho type game and we inflicted a heavy defeat on them. The latter is the template for beating them on Sunday. Press all of their kick outs since they have an untested goalkeeper or even if Patton is fit to play he will not be in top shape. Kick plenty of ball inside as I think they are weak at defending one on one in their full back line. Plus we have the ball winning personnel to cause them trouble. If we play a hard running game of containment it plays to the strengths of Donegal and reduces the game to a long range point kicking contest and a game of nerve.   

Given how good they were as players Kildare were probably never likely to change management during the season. However I thought that they might have walked themselves after their Leinster exit after a catastrophic year to date. I can't see them getting a tune out of those same players when really they should be winning this cup based on the level of players available.

Down are worthy favourites and will have a point to prove after losing the last 2 big finals in Croke Park. They will have a big edge on the minnows purely on their athleticism and fitness but they lack any real good kickers of the ball when the levels of the opposition begin to increase and they can match them for running power. I'm not sure any teams in this competition are at that level though so Down to win it. 

Lucky free but some kick from Gleeson to win it, Mayo will be kicking themselves.

Shocking last 10 minutes from Gough today.

Referee doing Galway no favours today.