Ulster Championship 2026

[Ethan Tremblay]

A good game in my opinion.  Monaghan very composed going forward the first 10minutes, Armagh were the opposite.  When they got their act together they were getting their scores easier than Monaghan. 

McCarron coming on definitely give them a mental boost as they upped their game big time.  A great sub to come on the last 15mins, he made some impact.  I had a quiet confidence that as he didn't start the game, he would run out of steam in extra time (thank feck). 

Pleased for mcgeeney and co getting their hands on that cup.  Wasn't too long ago Armagh fans would have settled for winning a game in Ulster, nevermind winning the thing. 

[Armagh18]

Delighted to finally get that win and that monkey of the backs. Forker must have combined 4 years worth of speeches into that one, but it was great, delighted to see him and Grugan back on the field as well.

Phenomenal effort from all the lads in horrible conditions- the weather had a huge impact on the game as we really struggle to get short kickouts away, Blaine hit 2 poor ones over the sideline, hit a poor one to Joe McElroy with a man hanging out of him and one to Cian McConville in a mismatch against Woods where I think McCarrons 2 pointer game from, Murphy or McCabe I think it was slip and allow him that extra few yards and a player like him will hit them for fun.

Turbo is obviously unlucky to slip and  just at the end of normal time as we tried to work a winner, Darragh McMullen make a serious block to stop Monaghan breaking, that was the winning of the game there as they very likely would have got the shot away. I'm sure every Armagh person in Clones had serious de ja vu coming done the stretch, I really thought we'd blown our chance but thankfully our fitness got us over the line, Daniel Magee got though a lot of work when he came on and his fresh legs were invaluable.

Hopefully momentum and home advantage gets us over the line against Derry. The Athletic Grounds will be rocking next Saturday.

[Orior]

Delighted to finally get that win and that monkey of the backs. Forker must have combined 4 years worth of speeches into that one, but it was great, delighted to see him and Grugan back on the field as well.

Phenomenal effort from all the lads in horrible conditions- the weather had a huge impact on the game as we really struggle to get short kickouts away, Blaine hit 2 poor ones over the sideline, hit a poor one to Joe McElroy with a man hanging out of him and one to Cian McConville in a mismatch against Woods where I think McCarrons 2 pointer game from, Murphy or McCabe I think it was slip and allow him that extra few yards and a player like him will hit them for fun.

Turbo is obviously unlucky to slip and  just at the end of normal time as we tried to work a winner, Darragh McMullen make a serious block to stop Monaghan breaking, that was the winning of the game there as they very likely would have got the shot away. I'm sure every Armagh person in Clones had serious de ja vu coming done the stretch, I really thought we'd blown our chance but thankfully our fitness got us over the line, Daniel Magee got though a lot of work when he came on and his fresh legs were invaluable.

Hopefully momentum and home advantage gets us over the line against Derry. The Athletic Grounds will be rocking next Saturday.

Spare a thought for the supporters that didnt bring enough clothes. I was flippin soaked through and foundered.

The kick-out strategy is a difficult one. If nobody is making runs and getting clear then Blaine has to either take a chance or blast it up the middle of the field. For me, speed is the essence - don't give the opposition time to organise.

[Main Street]

Such a charming reply Main Street 😍

I was restrained     save me from your corny outcome bias analysis, followed by a pretentious 'if I were from Monaghan  it would not sit well ..'
 
And not in a 100 years could you walk the Farney walk.

[tonto1888]

At the end of the 70min game, both teams went into the dressing rooms knackered. At the resumption of play ET Monaghan players were still knackered, falling to ground with cramp, yet not a bother on the Armagh players, bounced onto the pitch and played as fresh as a daisy, which begs the question - what was put into their apple juice drinks during the break?

Although you're clearly on the wind up your manager had a very strange take on that citing Monaghan having had extra time in the Derry match! If inter-county players can't recover from an extra 20 minutes football two weeks later he needs to be asking questions of his S&C coach.

We never do things easy and although clearly the better team overall Monaghan showed their resilience again in the fourth quarter.

Although there were very few poor performances from an Armagh perspective Oisin Conaty deserves special mention again. How lucky we are to have him.
.

Have you never observed Geezer at the end of a losing game for Armagh and his antics??
Bannigan had the microphone stuck in his face for comment at the game's end and I wouldn't read too much into what he said  re his pain or regrets, generally he comes across very composed and considerate unlike an ex monaghan manager of note. I think most Monaghan folk are right behind him and his capabilities.

didnt think there was much wrong in what your manager said to be honest

[EoinW]

Well done Armagh to finally win Ulster.

I agree the first half score flattered Monaghan.  Armagh nearly had two goals and an 8 point lead would have seemed more reflective of the play.

The game did have a feel of "Armagh aren't meant to win".  We can't understate the value of Monaghan's win over Derry.  Psychologically it gives a team the confidence that no lead is too much.  Plus all the 2 pointers they hit in the SF(was it 7?) can a team defend against that?  Certainly the Dessie Ward kick against Derry in extra time could not have been stopped by anyone.

It was no surprise to see Armagh's 6 point cushion vanish in the blink of an eye.  I believe Monaghan only had two 2 pointers in the game.  Did the weather conditions take that weapon away from them?

One other question: have penalty kicks been abolished for provincial finals but are still part of the game for everything else?

Personally I don't think Monaghan have the talent to go far in the AI competition.  However they'll be a dangerous opponent, just as Derry.  I can't help but wonder when managers will "go nuclear" on the 2 point strategy.  It's such a devastating weapon when you can score twice as much each time.

[Armagh18]

Well done Armagh to finally win Ulster.

I agree the first half score flattered Monaghan.  Armagh nearly had two goals and an 8 point lead would have seemed more reflective of the play.

The game did have a feel of "Armagh aren't meant to win".  We can't understate the value of Monaghan's win over Derry.  Psychologically it gives a team the confidence that no lead is too much.  Plus all the 2 pointers they hit in the SF(was it 7?) can a team defend against that?  Certainly the Dessie Ward kick against Derry in extra time could not have been stopped by anyone.

It was no surprise to see Armagh's 6 point cushion vanish in the blink of an eye.  I believe Monaghan only had two 2 pointers in the game.  Did the weather conditions take that weapon away from them?

One other question: have penalty kicks been abolished for provincial finals but are still part of the game for everything else?

Personally I don't think Monaghan have the talent to go far in the AI competition.  However they'll be a dangerous opponent, just as Derry.  I can't help but wonder when managers will "go nuclear" on the 2 point strategy.  It's such a devastating weapon when you can score twice as much each time.

From memory Beggan had one from a free in the first half as did Woods I think, McCarron and O'Hanlon had one each in the second. It's a weapon I'd love to see us exploit more.