Well, here we go again for another roller coaster ride...
This sould be a cracker game, I expect Armagh to win this at home but like the Monaghan game I think it will be close. Derry have a bit more about them and will not be easily beaten, Derry have quality forwards and with C Glass in the middle can be a real handful. He should and probably will dominate our midfield on the day which will obviously help Derry, I suspect Armagh will flood that area with men and try and pick up break ball as we won't out field Derry in this department.
The weather is picking up now and that too will help Armagh's running game as the Ulster final was a disaster for Armagh with the heavy rain.
For you Derry men what is your squad like and have you any men out injured for this game?.
Only Niall's end on available when I purchased last night. I assume this is going to be pretty full then.
Reading the Derry club thread Derry ones seem fairly confident. Not an unreasonable stance either.
Armagh seemed to be able to park the Ulster Final defeats very well and come out very strongly in the AI series after, what will the heads be like after a bit of mid season success?
I'd worry a bit about MF myself, Crealey's loss will be felt a lot more as this progresses, but we're doing OK there to date.
Quote from: bennydorano on May 20, 2026, 11:21:00 AMReading the Derry club thread Derry ones seem fairly confident. Not an unreasonable stance either.
Armagh seemed to be able to park the Ulster Final defeats very well and come out very strongly in the AI series after, what will the heads be like after a bit of mid season success?
I'd worry a bit about MF myself, Crealey's loss will be felt a lot more as this progresses, but we're doing OK there to date.
Think we should be ok around the middle against Derry but I'd be fearful enough against a Kerry/Donegal/Galway with the big brutes they have. At the minute we're doing rightly at the shorts with the bad weather playing a big part on Sunday with the ones we lost. Hopefully we're able to park Ulster again and push on.
This game is perfectly set up for the oak leaf. Relatively injury free, waiting in the long grass, with a point to proove.
Derry for me.
I'll be consistent and predict a double digit victory for Armagh. I mean Monaghan beat Derry, and then Armagh beat Monaghan by 9pts. ;)
Realistically the only thing Derry have in their favour is the extended planning time. Though Armagh still have two weeks, plus playing in front of a partisan home crowd, buoyed by the fact they are Ulster Champions.
The match ups with Conaty and McMullan will be vital. And the bench too, Derry don't have an option like Oisin O'Neill or Ross McQuillan to enter the fray after 50mins.
Armagh are +30 for the last 3 meetings in league and Championship against Derry. Outside of the 2023 Ulster Final, Derry haven't beat Armagh in the C'ship since 2011. That probably won't change this year.
Quote from: Armagh18 on May 20, 2026, 11:28:39 AMQuote from: bennydorano on May 20, 2026, 11:21:00 AMReading the Derry club thread Derry ones seem fairly confident. Not an unreasonable stance either.
Armagh seemed to be able to park the Ulster Final defeats very well and come out very strongly in the AI series after, what will the heads be like after a bit of mid season success?
I'd worry a bit about MF myself, Crealey's loss will be felt a lot more as this progresses, but we're doing OK there to date.
Think we should be ok around the middle against Derry but I'd be fearful enough against a Kerry/Donegal/Galway with the big brutes they have. At the minute we're doing rightly at the shorts with the bad weather playing a big part on Sunday with the ones we lost. Hopefully we're able to park Ulster again and push on.
This sums it up, Derry have a mobile midfield but not a big enough midfield to trouble the Kerry/Donegals etc. Armagh will have the same problem eventually. Don't see midfield being the game winner in the Derry game. Crealey a huge lost.
I thought Derry were more impressive v Monaghan in the first 60 minutes of normal time than Armagh. Monaghan missed more v Armagh when their come back was on.
I expect a tight game with Armagh to pull away in the last 10 given their stronger bench.
However, I haven't heard a word from the Derry camp since the Monaghan game. I assume they are hurting and will have a point to prove with all the choker labels being thrown around. The Armagh camp on the other hand are probably still sobering up. This could be a leveller. I remember it happened to Derry v Monaghan after the 2023 ulster final - we drew that game after hammering them in Ulster.
Interestingly i checked the spread with the bookies for the Armagh Derry game before and after the Ulster final, they've reduced it from 4 points to 2 points.
Quote from: Mario on May 20, 2026, 12:38:43 PMI thought Derry were more impressive v Monaghan in the first 60 minutes of normal time than Armagh. Monaghan missed more v Armagh when their come back was on.
I expect a tight game with Armagh to pull away in the last 10 given their stronger bench.
However, I haven't heard a word from the Derry camp since the Monaghan game. I assume they are hurting and will have a point to prove with all the choker labels being thrown around. The Armagh camp on the other hand are probably still sobering up. This could be a leveller. I remember it happened to Derry v Monaghan after the 2023 ulster final - we drew that game after hammering them in Ulster.
Interestingly i checked the spread with the bookies for the Armagh Derry game before and after the Ulster final, they've reduced it from 4 points to 2 points.
Will have done a recovery session Monday, maybe a few pints after for some but nothing mad and then trained last night, full focus on Derry. Hopefully we can use the glory as a big a driver as we used the hurt in previous years after Ulster.
Quote from: Mario on May 20, 2026, 12:38:43 PMI thought Derry were more impressive v Monaghan in the first 60 minutes of normal time than Armagh. Monaghan missed more v Armagh when their come back was on.
I expect a tight game with Armagh to pull away in the last 10 given their stronger bench.
However, I haven't heard a word from the Derry camp since the Monaghan game. I assume they are hurting and will have a point to prove with all the choker labels being thrown around. The Armagh camp on the other hand are probably still sobering up. This could be a leveller. I remember it happened to Derry v Monaghan after the 2023 ulster final - we drew that game after hammering them in Ulster.
Interestingly i checked the spread with the bookies for the Armagh Derry game before and after the Ulster final, they've reduced it from 4 points to 2 points.
Monaghan played better for 70 minutes (but not 90) against Armagh than they did for most of their game against Derry.But that is useful experience for Armagh, the Down game was an outlier as the opposition was useless. I think Armagh can beat Derry by a few points. Apparently, Armagh have been involved in almost 30% of championship extra time, perhaps we can do the job in 70 mins this time.
The stat I heard was that 30% of Armagh's championship games in the past 3 years have ended in a draw in normal time vs 10% for the average. You could look at that in two ways, never say die or struggle to get over line. The AI win probably changed the narrative there.
Quote from: Mario on May 20, 2026, 01:03:35 PMThe stat I heard was that 30% of Armagh's championship games in the past 3 years have ended in a draw in normal time vs 10% for the average. You could look at that in two ways, never say die or struggle to get over line. The AI win probably changed the narrative there.
Yeah that was on some podcast this week. Must be wanting to give fans value for their money although we could have done without extra time standing in the rain on Sunday! Think we've been the better team in both periods of extra time and our game will suit the better weather which really can't be understated with the impact it had for both teams on Sunday.
Hopefully our bench will get us over the line against Derry, have 3 serious "piano players" in Oisin, Ross and Grugs. Barry, Magee and Murphy very good piano pushers off the bench and Forker can do abit of both if he can get himself right.
Quote from: Mario on May 20, 2026, 01:03:35 PMThe stat I heard was that 30% of Armagh's championship games in the past 3 years have ended in a draw in normal time vs 10% for the average. You could look at that in two ways, never say die or struggle to get over line. The AI win probably changed the narrative there.
Yes wouldn't be Armagh if they didn't do things the hard way. Won't surprise me if extra time is required however Armagh strong favourites and should win against a side who still haven't fully recovered from their winless league and championship run last year.
Will be interesting to see what version of Derry turns up in the Athletic Grounds.
They are clearly on paper a talented bunch of players and for 55 minutes against Monaghan looked geared up to be playing Armagh in Ulster final and full value for that. They will be worried about how they were unable to see the game out.
As an Armagh fan would rather have played Monaghan than Derry in final as I believed Monaghan where in a bit of a transitional phase(though was impressed with them in last 2 games).
How the Derry players have recovered from that defeat will determine how the game goes. This county be a handy win for Armagh or a really difficult assignment where they could be caught with an ambush.
Quote from: statto on May 20, 2026, 02:00:31 PMWill be interesting to see what version of Derry turns up in the Athletic Grounds.
They are clearly on paper a talented bunch of players and for 55 minutes against Monaghan looked geared up to be playing Armagh in Ulster final and full value for that. They will be worried about how they were unable to see the game out.
As an Armagh fan would rather have played Monaghan than Derry in final as I believed Monaghan where in a bit of a transitional phase(though was impressed with them in last 2 games).
How the Derry players have recovered from that defeat will determine how the game goes. This county be a handy win for Armagh or a really difficult assignment where they could be caught with an ambush.
Derry coming in fresh and rearing to bounce back after losing to monaghan.dont see a handy win for armagh. If they win it willhave to be hard earned. Definitely a tricky game for them but should have enough
Quote from: shawshank on May 20, 2026, 12:13:44 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 20, 2026, 11:28:39 AMQuote from: bennydorano on May 20, 2026, 11:21:00 AMReading the Derry club thread Derry ones seem fairly confident. Not an unreasonable stance either.
Armagh seemed to be able to park the Ulster Final defeats very well and come out very strongly in the AI series after, what will the heads be like after a bit of mid season success?
I'd worry a bit about MF myself, Crealey's loss will be felt a lot more as this progresses, but we're doing OK there to date.
Think we should be ok around the middle against Derry but I'd be fearful enough against a Kerry/Donegal/Galway with the big brutes they have. At the minute we're doing rightly at the shorts with the bad weather playing a big part on Sunday with the ones we lost. Hopefully we're able to park Ulster again and push on.
This sums it up, Derry have a mobile midfield but not a big enough midfield to trouble the Kerry/Donegals etc. Armagh will have the same problem eventually. Don't see midfield being the game winner in the Derry game. Crealey a huge lost.
Despite Galway having some big men around the middle, they were cleaned out by the Rossies in that department. I think there's as much to be said for having a bit of grit and doggedness and getting stuck into the battles for breaking ball etc. Not to mention a clever kickout strategy can go a long way.
Armagh seem to be on the way back, the hunger they had in 24, that was missing in 25, looks like it's back in them again. At least as an outsider looking in that's what I see.
Quote from: IronMike247 on May 20, 2026, 04:35:46 PMQuote from: shawshank on May 20, 2026, 12:13:44 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 20, 2026, 11:28:39 AMQuote from: bennydorano on May 20, 2026, 11:21:00 AMReading the Derry club thread Derry ones seem fairly confident. Not an unreasonable stance either.
Armagh seemed to be able to park the Ulster Final defeats very well and come out very strongly in the AI series after, what will the heads be like after a bit of mid season success?
I'd worry a bit about MF myself, Crealey's loss will be felt a lot more as this progresses, but we're doing OK there to date.
Think we should be ok around the middle against Derry but I'd be fearful enough against a Kerry/Donegal/Galway with the big brutes they have. At the minute we're doing rightly at the shorts with the bad weather playing a big part on Sunday with the ones we lost. Hopefully we're able to park Ulster again and push on.
This sums it up, Derry have a mobile midfield but not a big enough midfield to trouble the Kerry/Donegals etc. Armagh will have the same problem eventually. Don't see midfield being the game winner in the Derry game. Crealey a huge lost.
Despite Galway having some big men around the middle, they were cleaned out by the Rossies in that department. I think there's as much to be said for having a bit of grit and doggedness and getting stuck into the battles for breaking ball etc. Not to mention a clever kickout strategy can go a long way.
Armagh seem to be on the way back, the hunger they had in 24, that was missing in 25, looks like it's back in them again. At least as an outsider looking in that's what I see.
Yeah that's true, not to mention piggery ;).
Even last year you couldn't really say Kerry were that much bigger than us out the field, we'd Jarly, Rian, Crealey, Grimley, Murnin etc. A bit of luck and momentum definitely play their part with break ball as well.
Think we will struggle to beat Derry, cards sitting very nicely for them at the minute as the weekend will take a lot out of the players as will the celebrations. Derry sitting in the long grass with extra weeks to prepare. Can only see an Oakleaf win
Quote from: IronMike247 on May 20, 2026, 04:35:46 PMQuote from: shawshank on May 20, 2026, 12:13:44 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 20, 2026, 11:28:39 AMQuote from: bennydorano on May 20, 2026, 11:21:00 AMReading the Derry club thread Derry ones seem fairly confident. Not an unreasonable stance either.
Armagh seemed to be able to park the Ulster Final defeats very well and come out very strongly in the AI series after, what will the heads be like after a bit of mid season success?
I'd worry a bit about MF myself, Crealey's loss will be felt a lot more as this progresses, but we're doing OK there to date.
Think we should be ok around the middle against Derry but I'd be fearful enough against a Kerry/Donegal/Galway with the big brutes they have. At the minute we're doing rightly at the shorts with the bad weather playing a big part on Sunday with the ones we lost. Hopefully we're able to park Ulster again and push on.
This sums it up, Derry have a mobile midfield but not a big enough midfield to trouble the Kerry/Donegals etc. Armagh will have the same problem eventually. Don't see midfield being the game winner in the Derry game. Crealey a huge lost.
Despite Galway having some big men around the middle, they were cleaned out by the Rossies in that department. I think there's as much to be said for having a bit of grit and doggedness and getting stuck into the battles for breaking ball etc. Not to mention a clever kickout strategy can go a long way.
Armagh seem to be on the way back, the hunger they had in 24, that was missing in 25, looks like it's back in them again. At least as an outsider looking in that's what I see.
I don't believe Armagh lacked hunger in 2025. They went into the Kerry game as favourites and had been playing well up to then. Armagh were 4/5 up at start of the second half until they were met by a perfect 15 minute spell from Kerry who then went and won the All Ireland pretty easily.
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on May 20, 2026, 06:35:50 PMThink we will struggle to beat Derry, cards sitting very nicely for them at the minute as the weekend will take a lot out of the players as will the celebrations. Derry sitting in the long grass with extra weeks to prepare. Can only see an Oakleaf win
Bcb1 oshea
Ach shure lookit
Yerra
Quote from: bennydorano on May 20, 2026, 11:21:00 AMReading the Derry club thread Derry ones seem fairly confident. Not an unreasonable stance either.
Armagh seemed to be able to park the Ulster Final defeats very well and come out very strongly in the AI series after, what will the heads be like after a bit of mid season success?
I'd worry a bit about MF myself, Crealey's loss will be felt a lot more as this progresses, but we're doing OK there to date.
Would have had similar concerns when Ben got injured though Jason Duffy has really stood up in his absence and Murnin can mix it with anyone aerially.
Quote from: statto on May 20, 2026, 06:48:21 PMQuote from: IronMike247 on May 20, 2026, 04:35:46 PMQuote from: shawshank on May 20, 2026, 12:13:44 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 20, 2026, 11:28:39 AMQuote from: bennydorano on May 20, 2026, 11:21:00 AMReading the Derry club thread Derry ones seem fairly confident. Not an unreasonable stance either.
Armagh seemed to be able to park the Ulster Final defeats very well and come out very strongly in the AI series after, what will the heads be like after a bit of mid season success?
I'd worry a bit about MF myself, Crealey's loss will be felt a lot more as this progresses, but we're doing OK there to date.
Think we should be ok around the middle against Derry but I'd be fearful enough against a Kerry/Donegal/Galway with the big brutes they have. At the minute we're doing rightly at the shorts with the bad weather playing a big part on Sunday with the ones we lost. Hopefully we're able to park Ulster again and push on.
This sums it up, Derry have a mobile midfield but not a big enough midfield to trouble the Kerry/Donegals etc. Armagh will have the same problem eventually. Don't see midfield being the game winner in the Derry game. Crealey a huge lost.
Despite Galway having some big men around the middle, they were cleaned out by the Rossies in that department. I think there's as much to be said for having a bit of grit and doggedness and getting stuck into the battles for breaking ball etc. Not to mention a clever kickout strategy can go a long way.
Armagh seem to be on the way back, the hunger they had in 24, that was missing in 25, looks like it's back in them again. At least as an outsider looking in that's what I see.
I don't believe Armagh lacked hunger in 2025. They went into the Kerry game as favourites and had been playing well up to then. Armagh were 4/5 up at start of the second half until they were met by a perfect 15 minute spell from Kerry who then went and won the All Ireland pretty easily.
Armagh couldn't change gear quickly enough when Kerry upped it to play the best football of the year showing a clear understanding of the possibilities of the new rules. If Meath had not beaten Kerry then that performance might not have resulted.
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on May 20, 2026, 06:35:50 PMThink we will struggle to beat Derry, cards sitting very nicely for them at the minute as the weekend will take a lot out of the players as will the celebrations. Derry sitting in the long grass with extra weeks to prepare. Can only see an Oakleaf win
That's my boy... ;D
When's the season ticket window end?
Quote from: p3427977 on May 21, 2026, 10:03:28 AMWhen's the season ticket window end?
Tues 26th at 11an.
See this as a very tight game
Armagh favourites but Derry are a damn good side, they had a 15 minute aberration against Monaghan who needed a worldly to equalise.
If Armagh come out the right side of this it will be hard earned.
Its a massive game, for the simple fact that if you lose you risk drawing Kerry, Meath or Rosscommon in the follow up game, not a prospect Armagh or Derry want.
The lay offs have worked out OK for Donegal and Tyrone, so safe to say Derry will be coming into this fresh and raring to go at it.
While watching Kerry v Donegal I was thinking this will be a great eye opener for Armagh, there'll be zero complacency,going to be a tight game tho.
Quote from: bennydorano on Today at 11:09:32 AMWhile watching Kerry v Donegal I was thinking this will be a great eye opener for Armagh, there'll be zero complacency,going to be a tight game tho.
There should be no complacency. Tyrone and Monaghan took us to extra time and Derry are as good. Armagh were a bit unsettled at times against Monaghan, if I were McGeeney then I'd be looking for a consistent performance this time, with comebacks not tolerated.
Derry have a fair advantage at midfield with Rogers and Glass while we are a bit make shift in that department (although doing well). I hope that area isn't our downfall at some point. Rafferty maybe to come in for Hughes. Few dodgy kickouts last day helped Monaghan back into the match.
Would expect Derry to be well up for this one.
Quote from: maddog on Today at 12:55:59 PMDerry have a fair advantage at midfield with Rogers and Glass while we are a bit make shift in that department (although doing well). I hope that area isn't our downfall at some point. Rafferty maybe to come in for Hughes. Few dodgy kickouts last day helped Monaghan back into the match.
crazy to think hughes should be dropped... if i recall correctly, rafferty wasn't overly good vs Fermanagh???