Ulster Championship 2025

[Jim Bob]

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.

Well how did you get on with your team predictions?

[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.

Well how did you get on with your team predictions?

Wasn't a prediction was the team I'd pick.

From the team thats named I probably would have predicted McCormack to keep his place, could be change there yet.

[ck]

Interesting Armagh team announced. No Forker again which is strange.

[Armagh18]

Interesting Armagh team announced. No Forker again which is strange.

He hasn't the legs for it from what I've seen to be brutally honest. Could probably still do a job on Murphy but maybe isn't trusted discipline wise. Will be a change or 2 before Saturday

[EoinW]

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

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.

Perhaps the bit in bold is just an opinion and doesn't matter?
All any of us have are opinions, doesn't mean they don't matter. I'd argue the penalties give the underdog the chance and I'm all for that. How many times before penalties did we see an underdog get a draw and then get hammered in the replay?
At least penalties give both teams the same chance on a given day - and saves the fans from forking out a 2nd time for a replay.
AND....they are entertaining. Something a lot of focus was given to with the new rules!

Provincial championships are a chance for teams to win a localised championship against their neighbours. That's what its all about.
Once the provinces are finished, there are only at best 1/4 of teams in with any chance of winning the AI. So there is a real desire to win the province and a more realistic chance too. Why would you take that away from the majority of counties?


[/quote]

Don't be disingenuous.  You knew what I meant by "opinions" don't distort my meaning.  Sport competitions must be run objectively.  You require more than "I like it" to change anything.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the point of the provincial championships to determine the best county in the province?  It's not about the underdog nor being entertaining.  There will always be underdogs rightfully earning an upset victory and if it isn't entertaining than you're not a Gaelic football fan.

The generation gap astounds me as young people don't care about the traditions and would toss them all into the bin rather than risk being bored for one moment.  Entertain me or else!

I guess it's time to find the GAA version of Pete Rozell to legislate parity.  Every Dublin v Kilkenny football match must be a toss up.  Otherwise the fans will be bored.  So lets turn it into a lottery - like so many professional sports - and make the honour of winning a province or All Ireland meaningless.

Credit to the GAA for maintaining its amateur code and strict residency rules.  It's rare to see such principles in 21st century sport.  That's why the penalty kicks are such a disappointment.  They cheapen the GAA's own high standard.

[FarneyMan]

Most have probably seen the below on social media, ill share anyway...

https://clones.gaa.ie/2025/05/08/ulster-final-parking-arrangements/

[armaghniac]

Most have probably seen the below on social media, ill share anyway...

https://clones.gaa.ie/2025/05/08/ulster-final-parking-arrangements/

At least in this dry weather you can get in and out of the boggy fields easily enough.

[balladmaker]

Well we can't ask for better than today's weather, Clones will look resplendent.  I remember getting some serious roastings from the sun in Clones before sunscreen was as common.  You could tell where everyone stood at the game going by the side of their face that was burnt, don't forget the sunscreen.  Hopefully we don't have penalties for the 3rd year running, and may the best team win  Up Armagh!!

[tonto1888]

Rian with the team

[Truthsayer]

Rian with the team

If he gets back on board at his best changes everything. Huge player as important to Armagh as Shane O'Donnell to Clare, also has returned.
Good to see it, you want the very best out there.

[SouthOfThe Bann]

Rian with the team

If he gets back on board at his best changes everything. Huge player as important to Armagh as Shane O'Donnell to Clare, also has returned.
Good to see it, you want the very best out there.

Armagh could go as much as favourites if Rian is back and flying

[rodney trotter]

Rian with the team

If he gets back on board at his best changes everything. Huge player as important to Armagh as Shane O'Donnell to Clare, also has returned.
Good to see it, you want the very best out there.

Armagh could go as much as favourites if Rian is back and flying

I remember Connolly came back for Dublin in 2019 after not being part of the panel for most of the year. He looked well off the pace.

[tyrone08]

Did rian bring his mate nugent back to the panel with him

[RedHand88]

Did rian bring his mate nuget back to the panel with him

Couldn't even spell his name right.

2/10.

[tyrone08]

Did rian bring his mate nuget back to the panel with him

Couldn't even spell his name right.

2/10.

Correct lol