Ulster Championship 2025

[trueblue1234]

I kinda meant injured players who could return not players that aren't in the squad. Rian unlikely to be back this year so I think it's a case of making your peace with that. 
Reason I ask is that I seen someone mentioning 8-9 missing. But to me there's prob 3 that would actually come back in if fit. The rest are much of a muchness for what's currently there. Which does show the squad depth tbf as there's been able replacements step up.

[Armagh18]

I kinda meant injured players who could return not players that aren't in the squad. Rian unlikely to be back this year so I think it's a case of making your peace with that. 
Reason I ask is that I seen someone mentioning 8-9 missing. But to me there's prob 3 that would actually come back in if fit. The rest are much of a muchness for what's currently there. Which does show the squad depth tbf as there's been able replacements step up.

Yeah fair enough. Think Murnin, Grugan, Soupy, Conaty Crealey, Rian, McKay and possibly Turbo probably the hardest players to replace in terms of ability and what they bring to the team. McCormack, McQuillan, Callum and Oisin O'Neill have been really impressive in terms of lads who weren't starting last year, think McMullen has done rightly as well. Obviously Blaine has lost his place to Rafferty at this stage so although he is one of the starters from last years final he doesn't look like getting a place at the minute.

[Orior]

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.

Alexa, show me a glass half empty post.

[Armagh18]

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.

You forgot about that other ugly possibility... if it goes to penalties I'm heading home lol

[tbrick18]

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.

You forgot about that other ugly possibility... if it goes to penalties I'm heading home lol

Gotta love the drama of a penalty shootout!
I might be in the minority, but I love them.

[SouthOfThe Bann]

Rumours Rian O'Neill back for Armagh - I presume these are false?

[Armamike]

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.

You forgot about that other ugly possibility... if it goes to penalties I'm heading home lol

Gotta love the drama of a penalty shootout!
I might be in the minority, but I love them.

Not sure you would feel the same if you lost one!

[EoinW]

Gotta love the drama of a penalty shootout!
I might be in the minority, but I love them.
[/quote]

Too subjective.  It doesn't matter if the individual fan thinks it's dramatic or boring because every fan has an opinion and they often disagree.  What matters is that it is unfair to put the players in such a pressure situation.  Especially when it's basically a coin toss.

What's worse is that it's basically authority saying: "the championship isn't important enough to merit a replay".  In other words: "hurry up and get it over and done with!"

That's embarrassing.  Why not abolish the provincial championships, rather than the GAA pretending they still matter?

Or abolish penalty kickouts, go back to the replay format for all championship games and MAKE TIME for them.

[Armagh_Ball]

Rumours Rian O'Neill back for Armagh - I presume these are false?

Back training last 2 weeks. If he plays that's another story.

[flowerpot]

Everyone's heard it - personal trainer for last 6 weeks etc etc etc, seriously doubt he will play any role on Saturday.

[bennydorano]

Had heard the Rian news a few times myself, was wondering if it was to keep him involved for his wellbeing more than anything else. Hard to see him involved before mid Group stage - if a return to football is part of the immediate plan.

[J70]

The worst part about the shootouts is the stupid "we have to be at least slightly different to soccer" rule that means sudden death brings up the same players again.

I can't remember which game it was, but that poor Armagh lad who missed twice. It's ridiculous sending a lad who missed up again in that high pressure situation.

[Armagh18]

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.

You forgot about that other ugly possibility... if it goes to penalties I'm heading home lol

Gotta love the drama of a penalty shootout!
I might be in the minority, but I love them.

Had enough of them at this stage lol

[tbrick18]

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.

You forgot about that other ugly possibility... if it goes to penalties I'm heading home lol

Gotta love the drama of a penalty shootout!
I might be in the minority, but I love them.

Not sure you would feel the same if you lost one!

Maybe so, and given Derry's recent Goalkeeper crisis we would be likely to as well.
But even as a neutral, I love them.
Real drama and edge of seat stuff.

[Blowitupref]

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.

You forgot about that other ugly possibility... if it goes to penalties I'm heading home lol

Gotta love the drama of a penalty shootout!
I might be in the minority, but I love them.

I'll never warm to them regardless of the sport. I watched Inter Milan v Barcelona and after two games and 12 goals it was finally settled with one further goal in extra time a far more satisfactory finish IMO.

For the Ulster final to go a penalty shoot-out for 3rd year in a row you can get odds of 40/1.