Ulster Championship 2026

[Dayman]

Are Down now favourites for Ulster?. After beating Donegal and beating them well at that surely they're the fav's. They're in a good place atm and the old Down swagger is back, God help Armagh on Sunday

Got to be. We've too many missing.

But we all know that Geezer's built the deepest squad football has ever seen so that shouldn't make any difference. Frankly I'd spend the week brushing up on Derry or Monaghan rather than waste time on some Division 3 outfit.

All cute hoorism aside should be a good one. Hopefully it's a better watch than 2024 but not just as nerve wracking!

Haha, I'd say for sure it'll be a better watch for the neutral than 2024 was. Personally though I'd be happy with a 0-5 to 0-4 dirge as long as it went the right way.

I feel there should be a chance for Down there, but it'll be very difficult to get to the same level again a week after the Donegal match, and even with the injuries Armagh have been operating at a higher level for much longer than Down. Bookies have it at Armagh by 3 points, they don't often get it wrong twice in a row.

[AustinPowers]

Derry Monaghan - Derry by 3

Armagh Down - close  contest, but  Armagh to get a couple of  late scores to win by  2.

[RadioGAAGAA]

Am I going mad here or was this not a foul by Mooney? Don't get me wrong it was unreal determination and will but he pulls O'Donnell's arm which stops him from being able to grab the ball.

https://x.com/coachshanerice/status/2049468567955902770?s=20

Ye want to know what the meeja campaign of "defender can't touch a forward" led to?

With any kinda pulling and dragging before the ball comes resulting in a yellow making it much more open, managers had to reduce the space available to forwards by the only route left - dropping bodies back and packing the defence.

Would want to be careful what you wish for!

[Wildweasel74]

Dont really know where Derry are at, looked Lethal against Cork in the league, found going tight, on a tight pitch in Louth, but Louth starting to look like a good team. Cavan last game in League didnt even look bothered.

[armaghniac]

Decent Armagh team and useful reinforcements on the bench.

[Armagh18]

Decent Armagh team and useful reinforcements on the bench.

Strong side, good to see Murphy and McCabe back on the squad, only slight concern is with Turbo starting we've only really one scorer to come off the bench. (Not counting Grugan as he's 27)

[bennydorano]

The named 1-24 doesn't matter, he could throw on anyone

[Onthe40]

what is the story with Forker?
is he injured or just a spiritual member now?

[jb77]

He's over the hill

[EoinW]

Down v Armagh.  What impressed me about Down was how they defeated Donegal.  That kind of an upset, I would have expected them to be hanging on for the win.  Instead they won going away.

I'd say they have an excellent chance against Armagh, provided Down get goals.  Yes I know every team looks great when they get goals.  I do sense Down could have another 3 goal game in them and they'll need it.

[illdecide]

Down v Armagh.  What impressed me about Down was how they defeated Donegal.  That kind of an upset, I would have expected them to be hanging on for the win.  Instead they won going away.

I'd say they have an excellent chance against Armagh, provided Down get goals.  Yes I know every team looks great when they get goals.  I do sense Down could have another 3 goal game in them and they'll need it.

Well that was my point a few days ago, Down will score goals and anything like that performance against Donegal and they'll win pulling up on Sunday too. Armagh's midfield is weak and winning that dirty ball or a high fielding catch is all in Down's favour. Bookies have Down +3-4 pts depending on the Bookie and that is the smart bet, Down will probably win with no handicap but to cover yourself that +3 or 4pts is stealing money. Down are back baby...

[imtommygunn]

Who are you kidding...

It is unlikely Down will do back to back of those kind of performances which is what they will need to do. Few teams in the country better than Armagh currently.

[God14]

No skin in the game, I expect Armagh to win this

I just feel its impossible for Down to rise to that level of performance again, two Sundays in a row. The workrate, the tackling, the volume of sprints, the hits... its bound to take its toll.
I expect Armagh to pull away in the last 20. Armaghs greater experience, know how and just sheer muscle memory to come to the fore.

I think the other semi final will be tighter than alot expect. It wouldnt suprise me at all if it went to extra time. But i just think Derry are that wee bit better than Monaghan at the moment.

Armagh v Derry ulster final.

[snoopdog]

Armagh are the form team here. Div 1 team, Won an all Ireland less than 2 years ago. One of the favourites for Sam this year. 
It would be another major Shock if Down win on Sunday. Down havent won in clones in 30 years. Down werent playing Dov 3 for no reason.

[naka]

Down v Armagh.  What impressed me about Down was how they defeated Donegal.  That kind of an upset, I would have expected them to be hanging on for the win.  Instead they won going away.

I'd say they have an excellent chance against Armagh, provided Down get goals.  Yes I know every team looks great when they get goals.  I do sense Down could have another 3 goal game in them and they'll need it.

Well that was my point a few days ago, Down will score goals and anything like that performance against Donegal and they'll win pulling up on Sunday too. Armagh's midfield is weak and winning that dirty ball or a high fielding catch is all in Down's favour. Bookies have Down +3-4 pts depending on the Bookie and that is the smart bet, Down will probably win with no handicap but to cover yourself that +3 or 4pts is stealing money. Down are back baby...

Hopefully come Sunday nite down are back in the tailteann !!!!

Will be tight but  Armagh by 4/5