Ulster Championship 2025

[SouthOfThe Bann]

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?

[tbrick18]

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?

Not entirely sure.
But I think it's a black card offence to when you commit a foul on a goal scoring opportunity?
Either way - it's one of a litany of weird and wonderful ref decisions from that match.

[Applesisapples]

Overall I think Armagh were the better team but not much in it!

on balance deserved the win. Gough was poor, made a mistake with Rafferty then gifted Tyrone a few consolation frees.No one will want Tyrone in the qualifiers.

[imtommygunn]

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.

[5times5times]

Bookies have Donegal as big favs @ 4/6.. Sounds about right, when you compare their subs, vs who yet to Armagh is still to see the field this year.

[SouthOfThe Bann]

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.

[J70]

Put it this way: who was tipping Armagh to win it all this time last year?

A lot of football still to be played for everyone.

[Rossfan]

Pre Pre Prelims are over
Pre Prelims now at final stages
Prelims to come
Then the real thing.

[Armagh18]

Put it this way: who was tipping Armagh to win it all this time last year?

A lot of football still to be played for everyone.

Exactly. Wouldn't surprise me one bit for any of the division one teams bar Mayo or Derry to go and win Sam.

We look a lot better than we did this time last year, but with the missing players Donegal have to be favourites for the final.  Galway are flying at the minute and I'm sure Kerry will have say later on.

[illdecide]

It's hard sometimes when you're at a game supporting your own team too not have the blinkers on, only natural I suppose. I thought Armagh got the shitty end of the stick a few times with Ref decisions but like I say I'd have loved to see the game again on the telly with replays etc as I might have a different outlook on it. A few of the over carrying decisions looked dodgy and I know rules are rules the management punishment for kicking out at a flag in frustration seems harsh. Tyrone had a few against them too so it wasn't all one way traffic but def thought the Ref was harsher on Armagh over the 70 mins.
As for the final, Donegal will rightly be favourites for this game, Armagh seem to be really struggling this year getting their best team out through injuries. There were men playing on Sat that have not made the squads never mind play in previous games so there's clearly an injury crisis or something going on in Armagh. This was like Galway last year who struggled the whole year trying to get their best players fit and how they managed to get to the final was remarkable, hopefully Armagh can start filtering them back in over the next 2,3 or 4 weeks.

[Armamike]

Underdogs again with the bookies. Used to it by now but suits us ok.

Will be interesting to see who comes back into the Armagh team. 

[NotedObserver]

Underdogs again with the bookies. Used to it by now but suits us ok.

Will be interesting to see who comes back into the Armagh team. 

Just something missing for a bit of spark that rian Oneill gives? Other than that they will be a hard team to beat with options like grimley to come back in. Will he come in at half forward now?

[WT4E]

Overall I think Armagh were the better team but not much in it!

on balance deserved the win. Gough was poor, made a mistake with Rafferty then gifted Tyrone a few consolation frees.No one will want Tyrone in the qualifiers.

Anyone see the angle of last free from Gerry Arthurs stand? Harte has hands up and running towards Turbitt, Turbitt checks his run into Harte. I've changed my mind - No Free.

[Ethan Tremblay]

The final most would have predicted before a ball was kicked this year.  Another 50/50 in my opinion. 

Donegal during the league seemed electric and most assumed they would up it a gear come championship but that doesn't seem to be the case so far from what I have seen.  They have been good for sure but I wouldn't have them ahead of Armagh/Tyrone at this stage. 

Armagh are motoring nicely, again as mentioned, injuries are playing a part but other players have put their hands up and grabbed their chance.  The only issue is the quality of players coming off the bench now is less effective as some of those are starting. 

Tyrone are heading in the right direction for sure.  A lot of expectation on O'Rourke to deliver in his first year which is unrealistic given where they were this time last year, but they are certain to cause problems in the AI series for sure. 

Again a 50/50 final, too hard to call.

[mackers]

It's hard sometimes when you're at a game supporting your own team too not have the blinkers on, only natural I suppose. I thought Armagh got the shitty end of the stick a few times with Ref decisions but like I say I'd have loved to see the game again on the telly with replays etc as I might have a different outlook on it.

This sums up my feelings too.  At the time I was raging and wouldn't be overly harsh on McGeeney for losing the rag.  There seemed to be four decisions one after the other given against us which seemed to help Tyrone get a foothold in the game but I'd need to see them back.  The final overcarrying call against Ross was particularly harsh and appeared to send everyone over the edge.  I think McGeeney was slow to make the changes required just like he was in the Ulster Final last year. Soupy only coming on in the 62nd minute was too late with some of Tyrone's subs influencing the game during the middle part of the second half.  He needs to get the subs on quicker in the final.

Gough is unquestionably a top referee but tends to let his ego get the better of him at times.  He gets overly fussy on silly rules and tries to turn the game into his show which isn't a good trait.  Someone like David Coldrick isn't as fussy and seems to be the perfect personality for the role.