For the second year in a row Donegal and Armagh will contest the Ulster SFC Final.
Saturday, May 10
Ulster SFC final
Armagh v Donegal, Clones, 5.25pm - RTE / BBC
It’s always a ferocious battle when these two teams lock horns and we can expect more of the same here.
Reigning All-Ireland champions Armagh have shown great resolve to make it to the provincial final despite a raft of injuries which is a testament to their depth of talent.
Now that they’re getting players back fit they have a formidable strength in depth, but so too do Donegal.
This match is likely to be decided by the bench impact when you look at the quality that both sides will be able to introduce.
Men like Aidan Forker, Niall Grimley, and Stefan Campbell are all capable of tipping the balance of power when introduced, but you’d say the same about Donegal subs like Jason McGee, Jame Brennan, and Caolan McGonigle.
The kick-out battle is more important than ever under the new rules, and Donegal may have an edge here because Shaun Patton’s kick-outs have been absolutely superb.
It’s true that Ethan Rafferty’s were also excellent in Armagh’s semi-final win over Tyrone, but Batton arguably has a greater variety to his.
If Donegal do win the battle for possession around the middle third, then you’d fancy them to win the game because their inside forward line of Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy, and Oisin Gallen looks a bit more threatening than Armagh’s.
ARMAGH: Ethan Rafferty; Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge, Peter McGrane; Ross McQuillan, Greg McCabe, Jarly Óg Burns; Callum O’Neill, Ben Crealey; Darragh McMullan, Rory Grugan, Oisin Conaty; Conor Turbitt, Andrew Murnin, Oisin O’Neill. Subs: Blaine Hughes, Aidan Forker, Tomas McCormack, Connaire Mackin, Jason Duffy, Niall Grimley, Shane McPartlan, Cian McConville, Tiernan Kelly, Stefan Campbell, Jemar Hall.
DONEGAL: Shaun Patton; Finbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Stephen McMenamin, Ciaran Moore; Ciaran Thompson, Michael Langan; Dáire Ó Baoill, Conor O’Donnell, Shane O’Donnell; Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Oisin Gallen. Subs: Gavin Mulreany, Mark Curran, Odhran McFadden Ferry, Odhran Doherty, Aaron Doherty, Eoin McHugh, Jason McGee, Jamie Brennan, Hugh McFadden, Niall O’Donnell, Caolan McGonigle.
Craig Lennon of Louth in action against Eoghan Frayne of Meath during the 2024 GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 1 match between Louth and Meath at Grattan Park in Inniskeen, Monaghan. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile.
Leinster SFC final
Meath v Louth, Croke Park, 4.15pm - RTE
This novel Leinster Final contested by two fierce rivals should be a cracker.
Louth are boosted by the return to fitness of Ciaran Byrne who was hugely influential in the Leinster quarter-final against Laois but missed the semi-final win over Kildare with injury.
He’s named on a strong looking bench that also includes Ciaran Keenan who hasn't played since sustaining an injury against Down in the League.
Jack Flynn’s return from injury is the only change to the Meath team that defeated Dublin in the Leinster semi-final.
He comes in at midfield with Adam O’Neill dropping to the bench.
Meath seem to be most people’s favourites based on the quality of their performance against Dubin in the semi-final and there was certainly a lot to be impressed by that day.
But Louth have had the upper hand when the two teams have met recently. In last year’s Championship they beat Meath by 10 points and in this year’s League they came out on top by five.
Under the new rules winning possession off the kick-out is crucial, and at times this year Meath have struggled to do so.
The battle between Louth midfielders Tommy Durnin and Andy McDonnell and Meath duo Jack Flynn and Bryan Menton will be crucial, but just as important will be the ability of both sets of half-backs and half-forwards to win the breaks. Louth might have an edge here.
It’s going to be a game of very fine margins that could ultimately be decided by whichever free-taker, Louth’s Sam Mulroy or Meath’s Eoghan Frayne, has the better day.
MEATH: Billy Hogan; Seamus Lavin, Seán Rafferty, Brian O’Halloran; Donal Keogan, Seán Coffey, Ciarán Caulfield; Jack Flynn, Bryan Menton; Conor Duke, Ruairí Kinsella, Keith Curtis; Matthew Costello, James Conlon, Eoghan Frayne. Subs: Seán Brennan, Shane Walsh, Ronan Ryan, Adam O’Neill, Daithí McGowan, Cillian O’Sullivan, James McEntee, Ronan Jones, Aaron Lynch, Eoin Harkin, Cathal Hickey.
LOUTH: Niall McDonnell; Daire Nally, Dermot Campbell, Donal McKenny; Conal McKeever, Peter Lynch, Craig Lennon; Tommy Durnin, Andy McDonnell; Paul Matthews, Ciaran Downey, Conor Grimes; Kieran McArdle, Sam Mulroy, Ryan Burns. Subs: Tiarnan Markey, Liam Jackson, Anthony Williams, Emmet Carolan, Ciaran Byrne, Dara McDonnell, Dan Corcoran, Conor Branigan, Ciaran Keenan, Dylan McKeown, Bevan Duffy.
