Ulster Championship 2025

[tbrick18]

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.
[/quote]

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?

[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.

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.

Worth sticking a fiver on that.

[Spiderlegs]

Penalties should be scrapped and replaced with the American Football style concept of each team getting a chance to score. If they both do, then it's next score wins. Could even be made that a goal instantly wins it even if it is the first score.

[J70]

My club at home say they probably won't have enough tickets for everyone, at least for seating. Is that the case all over? Should be near enough a sell out if so.

[Armagh18]

My club at home say they probably won't have enough tickets for everyone, at least for seating. Is that the case all over? Should be near enough a sell out if so.

Most clubs I know of wont even be able to have enough tickets for everyone for standing, seats seem to be like gold dust. Seen posts of clubs not even having half the tickets people have asked for.

[J70]

Standing is just the town end these days, right?

Or is the top of the hill stilling standing?

It's been a while...

[Armagh18]

Standing is just the town end these days, right?

Or is the top of the hill stilling standing?

It's been a while...

Hill is standing.

[smelmoth]

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

Starting in goals

[flowerpot]

Standing is just the town end these days, right?

Or is the top of the hill stilling standing?

It's been a while...

Hill is standing.

O'Duffy is standing also.

[statto]

https://x.com/Armagh_GAA/status/1920581522098127349?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1920581522098127349%7Ctwgr%5E8f263ce724770f1ae406d3dde7cedaac524b6eb8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthesidelineeye.com%2F2025%2F05%2F08%2Farmagh-team-named-for-donegal-date-2%2F

[statto]

McCormack very unlucky to miss out if Armagh team plays as selected.

[armaghniac]

My club at home say they probably won't have enough tickets for everyone, at least for seating. Is that the case all over? Should be near enough a sell out if so.

Donegal clubs might get close to meeting demand, Armagh clubs will not be able to cater for members. It will be a sell out, the modern capacity is not that high, the weather is decent and last year's game was certainly entertaining with a long encore.

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

Starting in goals

Perhaps not such a bad idea https://x.com/officialgaa/status/1649850540086501377

[armaghniac]

[flowerpot]

McCormack very unlucky to miss out if Armagh team plays as selected.

Yeah did nothing wrong.

[Armagh18]

McCormack very unlucky to miss out if Armagh team plays as selected.

Yeah did nothing wrong.

Hurt his back the last day after carrying Canavan around Clones in his pocket.