Ulster Championship 2025

[illdecide]

Armagh 7/5 (8/1 Draw) Donegal 8/11
Donegal favourites for this game and rightly so with Armagh's injury problems. Jimmy's winning matches should continue if the Bookies are correct.

[5times5times]

Are seats assigned in McGrane, or a free-for-all? While tickets have #s, is it policed?

[JoG2]

Are seats assigned in McGrane, or a free-for-all? While tickets have #s, is it policed?

Assigned yes. General rule of thumb is if you've been to loads of games you'll be sitting on the edges, if this is your first game of the year you'll be in the middle

[J70]

Armagh 7/5 (8/1 Draw) Donegal 8/11
Donegal favourites for this game and rightly so with Armagh's injury problems. Jimmy's winning matches should continue if the Bookies are correct.

Not sure how Donegal would be favourites given both teams' performances so far. Plus, are Armagh not renowned for their strong squad? Donegal have been down two starters, Eoghan Ban and McGonigle (not sure if either will make this), while Gallen is just getting back to fitness and form.

Other issue then is motivation. You'd have to think Armagh would be desperate to win this after losing the past two finals on basically a coin toss, having twice squandered a strong lead against us last year, and not having an Ulster title since 2008.

To me, three possibilities - tight win for either, or Armagh overpowering us.

[Milltown Row2]

From the games I've watched Donegal they looked to have been holding back, timing things and even though some of the games could have blown up in their faces I think they would still have had enough to turbo charge through and get the result, they have managed players throughout the year also..

The longer injuries are a question mark, but every team has them and they can only ply with their first 15 on the field that day, sure Armagh have only played with 5 players from their winning all Ireland team and none from the Ulster championship winning team of 2008

What are the actual benefits of winning the provincials? That would be my thinking, this is tournament football, peaking and getting a decent route to the finishing line would be the motivation, winning Sam over the Ulster Championship is the goal and Armagh will want that as will Donegal also..

This will be a cagy affair, might not be pretty   

[bennydorano]

Didnt take long for the strength in depth situation to become a stick to beat Armagh with - eventho Donegal & Galway have equally deep squads. Let's Hope we get our preferred first 15 out this weekend anyway  as we'll need them.

[Armagh18]

Didnt take long for the strength in depth situation to become a stick to beat Armagh with - eventho Donegal & Galway have equally deep squads. Let's Hope we get our preferred first 15 out this weekend anyway  as we'll need them.

We're decimated at the minute. Galway are obviously missing their 2 main threats but we're obviously missing loads as well.

[Milltown Row2]

Didnt take long for the strength in depth situation to become a stick to beat Armagh with - eventho Donegal & Galway have equally deep squads. Let's Hope we get our preferred first 15 out this weekend anyway  as we'll need them.

We're decimated at the minute. Galway are obviously missing their 2 main threats but we're obviously missing loads as well.

Jesus.. you may bring your boots lad!

Teams in any sport rarely have their top players all playing, injuries happen, form drops, players unavailable

Be it Galway Dublin Donegal Tyrone and Armagh you've got the panel and that is down to how that panel is coached/trained and set up.

So the selection for the manager is purely down that, pretty bored with the who's not playing tactic by any manager or supporters.

For the Ulster final it'll be a slip up, misplaced pass, a dodgy call, and sending off that'll decide this game as they are very close.

[tyrone08]

Didnt take long for the strength in depth situation to become a stick to beat Armagh with - eventho Donegal & Galway have equally deep squads. Let's Hope we get our preferred first 15 out this weekend anyway  as we'll need them.

We're decimated at the minute. Galway are obviously missing their 2 main threats but we're obviously missing loads as well.

All year been hearing about Armagh's massive strength in depth, now in close game the excuses are starting lol.

[Milltown Row2]

The timing of the charge with sexual assault is unfortunate for Armaghs prep I'd say..

[bennydorano]

Didnt take long for the strength in depth situation to become a stick to beat Armagh with - eventho Donegal & Galway have equally deep squads. Let's Hope we get our preferred first 15 out this weekend anyway  as we'll need them.

We're decimated at the minute. Galway are obviously missing their 2 main threats but we're obviously missing loads as well.

All year been hearing about Armagh's massive strength in depth, now in close game the excuses are starting lol.

Lol indeed, from a vanquished team who were beat by a half a team.

[trueblue1234]

Who's all currently missing that would automatically return into the starting team?

[bennydorano]

Forker, Grimley, McElroy,Tiernan Kelly, Aaron McKay, Connaire Mackin, Turbitt & R'ON off the top my head

[Armamike]

Crealey just back as well.

[tbrick18]

The timing of the charge with sexual assault is unfortunate for Armaghs prep I'd say..

Given the online outrage there was about the RG accusations 2 days before an Ulster final with Armagh, the response to this seems muted in comparison for what ever reason.
So maybe it won't have as much impact as you would think it should do.
I get that this is an active case and we shouldn't make any comments on the guilt/innocence of either party, I just find it baffling that the outrage against RG accusations does not seem to be replicated in this case when you consider RG was never charged but Nugent has been.
I guess we'll see over the passage of time what affect this has on the Armagh team.
Only comment I'd make on the case is if the guy is innocent, its a brutal ordeal to put him through with his name in the public domain. On the flip side, if he's guilty, he should have the book thrown at him.

But I digress - I still think Donegal will have a bit too much for Armagh. There won't be a lot in it, but in terms of form and available players, Donegal seem to have the edge right now.
Armagh seem to have an injury list to rival Derry's at the minute, so that will effect the depth of any squad.