TG4 ULSTER SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Armagh (holders) v Donegal
Clones 3.00pm, Saturday, May 10
SINCE 2017, Armagh and Donegal have been the dominant teams in the province with each winning the Ulster title four times. Armagh are the current holders having seen off Donegal in the 2024 final by just two points (0-17 to 1-12). Games between these two are usually tight and go to the wire.
These two are the only senior teams in the province so they come into Saturday’s game with only league form as a measuring stick as to where they are at.
Armagh operate in Division 1 of the league and had a fine campaign, reaching the league final only to lose to Kerry.
In their seven-game league campaign, they racked up 12-84, a scoring average of just over 17 points per game and all without the services of ace forward Aimee Mackin.
In Mackin’s absence, Niamh Reel has been impressive, scoring 27 points in the round robin stages and another five in the league final.
Other major contributors have been Blaithin Mackin, Niamh Henderson and Eve Lavery. They also have three current All Stars in their squad, namely Grace Ferguson, Lauren McConville and Aoife Mc Coy.
While the form book would suggest an Armagh victory, Donegal will not be fazed by the Orchard girls.
Their manager is none other than James Daly, an Armagh native who knows the opposition set up inside out and who will have no problem motivating his new charges.
Daly has lost the services of class acts such as Niamh McLoughlin, Katie Heron, Tara Hegarty and Amy Boyle Carr but has introduced no fewer than nine young players to his squad. Players like Rhiana Mc Colgan, Ciara Mc Garvey, Ava Walsh and Laoise Ryan got valuable game time during the league.
With so many new faces it was inevitable that Donegal’s League 2 campaign would be erratic. They won two, lost two and drew three, finishing joint third in a competitive group. Their losses were against Cork and Galway who went on to contest the Division 2 league final.
Despite the many new faces, Daly still has a wealth of experienced talent available. Captain Roisin Rodgers has worn the number 8 jersey for several years while Evelyn Mc Ginley, Niamh Boyle and Shannon McLoughlin are all top-class defenders. In the forward line, Suzanne White and Jodie Mc Fadden will give the Armagh defence plenty to think about.
The last four Ulster finals between these sides have been exciting and tense affairs that have gone right to the wire. Today we have an experienced and settled team up against a young and fearless side.
Verdict – Armagh
