Messages

Bring back Griffiths, Thorburn and Reardon. Now that was swashbuckling, edge of your seat snooker. Real characters.

Those were the days.

What's people's take on Chelsea and Pochettino? Gets a very easy ride from the press compared to Utd, although if they win tonight they'll only be 3 points behind them.

With that squad though, surely they should be contenders. If they have everyone fit next year, a good manager should be at least competing for CL, and if City regress, a title. If they can't, you'd imagine huge financial implications are coming down the line.

If Abrahamovich was still there would be well gone. All the money wasted spent lack a decent no 9 and goalie. Conor Gallagher as captain shows lack of leaders in the group too.

Yes he would be gone months ago, doubtful if even appointed under Abrahamovich. He's a darling of the English media so an easy ride was expected.

Hard to warm to a penalty shootout deciding a GAA championship match.  Derry left that title behind them, Tyrone to their credit hung in there and having the experience of winning Ulster minor in 2021 and 2022 probably helped them get over the line tonight.

Derry appear to have the better bench or getting more of an impact from them tonight.

Very nervy shooting at the end of that game. Won't be easy to call a winner in extra time.

Tyrone going too often for goals when they should be taking their points.

Ulster final has become more important now after today's group stage draw. Winner could reach the All Ireland semi final while it will be a real struggle for the loser to reach All Ireland quarter final.

Why do they do the draw for this before the provincial finals?

HQ wants cuts ties with the provincial championship and the All Ireland series, haven't got their way yet so in the meantime have decided to degrade provincial finals.

Expected group winners after that draw will be Derry,Dublin,Kerry,Donegal and might be the four to the reach the All Ireland semi finals also.

[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. 

A bit of luck could prove a difference and Armagh due it in a big game with penalty shootout losses in the Ulster final last year and the last two All-Ireland Quarter finals.

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.

Arsenal making easy work of their so called hardest match on their run-in.  Ange Postecoglou side aren't hard to score against and he shouldn't be in the conversation for any team that has plans to challenge for major honours.

Arsenals to lose?

They need Manchester City to slip up in one of their remaining games for that to be the case.

It was Liverpools to lose yet wasted that opportunity by losing to Everton,Crystal Palace and only drawing with West Ham and Manchester United. Two points out of possible very achievable twelve points on offer.

Donegal's Ulster final to lose.

Would you ever f**k off with that crap. It wasn't entertaining the first time you did it and it hasn't aged well with the 100th.

Donegal's Ulster final to lose.

Donegal found their shooting boots at half time?

Arsenal making easy work of their so called hardest match on their run-in.  Ange Postecoglou side aren't hard to score against and he shouldn't be in the conversation for any team that has plans to challenge for major honours.