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Happy enough with that draw, irrespective of the Ulster final result we avoid Dublin and Kerry in the groups. Even better to win the Ulster final as we then avoid Derry as well who would be the three top teams in the competition.

Derry will also be happy with that draw as it gives them a chance of topping the group, it definitely could have been a whole lot worse for them as a third seed. 

Seems daft having a draw before the provincial championships are even played. The only teams that serves is the teams that are beaten already.

That was impressive from Meath, they were getting better as the game went on. The number 5 will probably run home tonight, he was like a duracell bunny.

It's a whole load of games to whittle the number of teams down from 16 to 12. And when the draw is made you will be able to predict the 4 teams who will be eliminated with a fair degree of certainty. The main interest will centre around which teams top their groups. 

[All the expectation on Donegal to succeed.]

Odds

Paddy Power

Donegal 8/13
Armagh 6/5

Boyle Sports

Donegal 4/5
Armagh 11/8

Draw is 7/1

All the expectation on Donegal to succeed. Would go against logic if McGeeney (holding back Armagh according to some) was to topple a Donegal side managed by McGuinness with a clear focus to win Ulster since he returned.

I'm not so sure about that. There is at least as much expectation on Armagh and it seems like we are either one victory away from a major breakthrough or one defeat away from another meltdown. Time is running out for a lot of our older players so I feel a bit like it is now or never for this group. If we can win Ulster it would be a very good season and we can go into the AI series with a lot more freedom and confidence. 

The final is a game that's got 0.13 to 0.12 written all over it! It will be an arm wrestle. My biggest fear is the Armagh sideline, there'll no doubt by some unnecessary tactical masterstroke from McGeeney. It'll likely be a game that will be won ugly, so i don't care how it's won, but I would really like to see us play to our strengths and have some balls.

I hope geezer doesn't over think it too much. We need to learn the lesson from 2022 and the 2 matches against Donegal that year. The first match in Ballybofey we played to try and counteract Donegals strengths and ended up getting soundly beaten. A change in tactical approach a few weeks later and we won the game comfortably by playing to our own strengths. I would like to think that the lessons will have been learned and that we play the game on our terms and not try and beat Donegal at a game which they are the masters at.

It might have even been part of the thinking by holding some of the big players in reserve for the League final earlier in the year.

It's the proverbial 50/50 match but I think Armagh have a bit more scoring power up front. But it's now or never for this Armagh side whereas with Donegal you feel as though they could be around for a few years.

Donegal must'nt have much faith in their squad, they keep recycling their subs.

That was great defending by Hampsey.

This game merits a penalty shoot out, total stalemate.

Mattie Donnelly must be a MOTM contender, he's been excellent again today.

Niblick acting like Morgan saved the day at the end there - should have been a routine high ball claimed by him, and they'd be in the final already

Some of these days he will run out of superlatives to use in commentary.

Stalemate which was probably a fair result, neither team really deserved to win or lose that game.

Morgan keeping Tyrone in this match.

Tyrone number 10 looks a good player too.

Disagree with Devanney there. Thought it was a decent half of football with some great scores.

It really wasn't, it's just that we have become so accustomed to these types of matches.