Ulster Championship 2025

[Mario]

The main difference between RG and Nugent is that RG was the manager. Nugent is gone, so what more can Armagh do. It took RG a few days to step down, I think the Friday before the final he was still the manager and that's when the media pressure went through the roof.

[statto]

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

The player in question hasn't been with the panel all year, so shouldn't affect Armagh's preparation. 

[statto]

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

I would say that Mackin has been surpassed by the like of McCabe, McQuillan, Callum O'Neill in the pecking order at this stage.

Conor O'Neill would be an understated loss, would have expected him to be back by this stage was starting and playing well prior to injury. 

[statto]

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.

The timing of the RG issue was the week of the Ulster final which was unfortunate for Derry and they did really well to focus and get over the line. 

The current situation with AN would have caused a massive stir in the media/online if it had only came out this week and he was still with the panel. There was certainly alot of debate in relation to AN back in November and would have no doubt caused a big stir had the Ulster final been in November, as there would have been calls to remove him from the panel and more of a spotlight on Armaghs preparation. 

The RG issue was an issue for a longer period due to Derry Co Board struggling to know what was the best thing to do and not being very forthcoming in if they were going to release him from his role or support him. (A extremely difficult situation for them to deal with). Where as AN was removed from panel immediately more or less and he is now viewed as former Armagh player. 

[AustinPowers]

Probably been asked before , but what's the thinking behind a Saturday  5pm throw in for an Ulster final?

Why isn't it on the Sunday?

I wouldn't fancy getting out of those windy  Clones back roads  in the dark , if it went to ET or penalties

[imtommygunn]

It is in some way related to the Armagh ladies match and it's timing the next day (apparently). I'm not sure how mind you...

It isn't a great time alright.

[Armagh18]

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

Rian, McKay, McElroy. Would have said Niall Grimley but Callum O'Neill has been excellent. TK would be ahead of McCabe at 6 for me and Turbo gets his place as well if fit.

[Jim Bob]

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

Who would they be replacing ?

[Armagh18]

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

Who would they be replacing ?

Forker and Mackin wouldn't start for me tbh. McKay is nailed on at 3 if fit and McCambridge moves to wing back. Kelly for McCabe. Rian and Joe in for McMullan and McGrane in the half forward line. Would have said Grimley into midfield for O'Neill but he had been brilliant. Turbo gets in at corner forward.

[tbrick18]

The main difference between RG and Nugent is that RG was the manager. Nugent is gone, so what more can Armagh do. It took RG a few days to step down, I think the Friday before the final he was still the manager and that's when the media pressure went through the roof.

I'm not really talking about Armagh and what they should do, I'm more talking about the vocal public opinion that RG was/is guilty even though he was never charged. Whereas in this case, there's not that same level of condemnation for this guy even through he's now charged and has a court case pending.
The Paddy Jackson trial is a more direct comparison to this one and it was massive news, again with loads of people finding him guilty in the court of popular opinion.
Maybe it's too early in this case, but it seems really strange that the response to this one is so muted.

I'm not saying it should be different by the way, imo, due process should be allowed to take its course and shouldn't be influenced by the facebook warriors. I'm just surprised this one hasn't been jumped on in the same way as RG or Paddy Jackson.

[tiempo]

The main difference between RG and Nugent is that RG was the manager. Nugent is gone, so what more can Armagh do. It took RG a few days to step down, I think the Friday before the final he was still the manager and that's when the media pressure went through the roof.

I'm not really talking about Armagh and what they should do, I'm more talking about the vocal public opinion that RG was/is guilty even though he was never charged. Whereas in this case, there's not that same level of condemnation for this guy even through he's now charged and has a court case pending.
The Paddy Jackson trial is a more direct comparison to this one and it was massive news, again with loads of people finding him guilty in the court of popular opinion.
Maybe it's too early in this case, but it seems really strange that the response to this one is so muted.

I'm not saying it should be different by the way, imo, due process should be allowed to take its course and shouldn't be influenced by the facebook warriors. I'm just surprised this one hasn't been jumped on in the same way as RG or Paddy Jackson.

People are fickle

[Ethan Tremblay]

The ladies final is the curtain raiser for the men's final on Saturday.  I would say the Leinster final pushed this to the Saturday also given the surge in interest in it. 

In terms of depth, Armagh are reaching into theirs for their first 15.  The way the game is, is the ones coming off the bench closing the games out.  I'm not sure who they will have available to call on off the bench now.

As mentioned before, these two teams seem to be operating at a fairly similar level, so small mistakes may settle the game.

[trueblue1234]

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

Rian, McKay, McElroy. Would have said Niall Grimley but Callum O'Neill has been excellent. TK would be ahead of McCabe at 6 for me and Turbo gets his place as well if fit.

Is Rian not still of the panel?

[JoG2]

The main difference between RG and Nugent is that RG was the manager. Nugent is gone, so what more can Armagh do. It took RG a few days to step down, I think the Friday before the final he was still the manager and that's when the media pressure went through the roof.

I'm not really talking about Armagh and what they should do, I'm more talking about the vocal public opinion that RG was/is guilty even though he was never charged. Whereas in this case, there's not that same level of condemnation for this guy even through he's now charged and has a court case pending.
The Paddy Jackson trial is a more direct comparison to this one and it was massive news, again with loads of people finding him guilty in the court of popular opinion.
Maybe it's too early in this case, but it seems really strange that the response to this one is so muted.

I'm not saying it should be different by the way, imo, due process should be allowed to take its course and shouldn't be influenced by the facebook warriors. I'm just surprised this one hasn't been jumped on in the same way as RG or Paddy Jackson.

People are fickle

And the artists Kneecap, the art of kneecapping and the Bobby Sands statue all taking up big Stevie's time... He'll get to this soon enough I'd have thought

[Armagh18]

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

Rian, McKay, McElroy. Would have said Niall Grimley but Callum O'Neill has been excellent. TK would be ahead of McCabe at 6 for me and Turbo gets his place as well if fit.

Is Rian not still of the panel?

Well you said who's currently missing that would start, he's off the panel at the minute with personal stuff going on but hopefully we see him at some stage.