Donegal v Armagh Championship game

[Orior]

To be serious for one moment, I've no idea how this match is going to go. Donegal should start favourites, but might bottle it. Armagh will enjoy the underdog tag, and if things click, we could enjoy a 4 point win. On the other hand...

Either way, it should be an intriguing encounter. I cant beliveve Armagh will be as bad as they were in the National League. If we continue that form, then we'll either get tanked or win by a point with a lucky goal the final kick of the game.

If I'm pressed into a prediction then:

Donegal 1-14 Armagh 0-9

Donegal wides 15
Donegal kicks into keepers arms 3
Donegal yellow cards 4
Donegal red cards 1

Armagh wides 8
Armagh kicks into keepers arms 8
Armagh yellow cards 3
Armagh red cards 2

[pintsofguinness]

i won't be at an armagh  game for a while donagh.

[J70]

I see John Bannon's refereeing on Sunday.

[Hardy]

I see John Bannon's refereeing on Sunday.

That's the major factor decided, then, and I'm not joking. Donegal win.

[Uladh]

Agreed Hardy. Bannon always favours the perceived smaller team. Final nail in our coffin.

[ExiledGael]

Couldn't decide between the two until I heard that.
Home win for sure

[Orior]

What? Sure didnt Armagh win the All-Ireland when Bannon was the referee! I'd say it favours Armagh.

However we still expect a McKeever to get red.

[armaghniac]

Isn't Bannon supposed to support the underdog, that's Armagh. He'll need to moderate the excess of the all conquering Donegal leviathan, egged on by a rabid home crowd, especially as we won't have Francie to defend us.

I'd suggest that Joe should inform all players, especially McKeever's, that if they get a red card that he will sit on their head on the bus on the way home.

[Uladh]

What? Sure didnt Armagh win the All-Ireland when Bannon was the referee!

and who were the perceived smaller team that day?

[Maximus Marillius]

Ah Bannon , I remember him reffing our championship semi final against Armagh in 99 0r 2000, when Armagh won the Ulster title for thr first time in God knows how long...anyway..he gave Armagh a free that in my opinion won them the game. Henry Downey hit as fair a shoulder tackle, was it Mc keever or Marsden...and one of the best shoulder tackles that I have seen in a long time...only for that tool Bannon to award a 30 yard tap over free to put Armagh in front with 5 minutes to go. Turned the game that one decision.

Do not complain about getting Bannon ...he has done ye many favours.

[Orior]

The refereeing decisions will balance out. We'd be as well discussing the linesmen and umpires.

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

John Bannon's not the worst of referees folks, has off days and on days, but generally steady. Won't forget how a few of my countylads gave him awful stick about leaving his guide-dog outside the ground at Cormac's last County game against Longford, where he was an 'innocent' spectator -- never took a fizz out of him, and fair dues to him   

[David McKeown]

Only ref in the country I don't like to see is Bannon.  Still remember my first words after the final whistle in the All Ireland final of 2002 (when I thought he was brutal to both teams).  They werent anything to do with being ecstatic about the sucess.  They were F You Bannon we did it anyway.  Terribbly inconsistent ref in my opinion.

[Hank Everlast]

Prediction....
Armagh 2-8 v 1-14 Donegal
mcdonnell and mcconville goals only thing to keep the score line anyway close!

[bennydorano]

I heard last night that Ronan Clarke has had a serious setback and will not kick a ball again until next season