This weekend will see the first round of the Ulster Championship kick off. A mouthwatering tie featuring two sides who have had a few appearances in Croker in the last few years. Two sides who have been accused of playing negative football and not being attacking enough. Sides who have been accused of being over reliant on one forward or not having enough scoring forwards and I think everyone in the country is waiting in anticipation for that game....but enough about Tyrone v Monaghan on Sunday.

Saturday sees Fermanagh take on Armagh in Brewster park. This will be the third meeting of these two sides in their last 4 competitive fixtures. First day out was a draw with the second day being a slender win for Armagh in a high scoring game. Will be interested to see how the ref deals with Armaghs cynical fouling and taking the runners out, something that was prevalent in the last two fixtures. Fermanagh struggled badly the last day in the middle of the park and in the fullback line. If they can sort this out I genuinely think they will win against Armagh. Big Seamus Quigley has been like a new man this year. Not the most mobile but if Armagh go one on one inside he will have a field day.

Fermanagh by 3.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 14/05/2018 15:45:50    2100619

Is Sean Quigley in contention? I don't think he played much in the league but started the league final. Then stupidly got himself black carded after about 2 minutes. The two bucks playing inside together would be interesting to see.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9132 - 14/05/2018 15:52:50    2100624

This is one that isn't getting much hype. I really expect good match. I think it will go into extra time with Fermanagh coming out on top by two.

oakleafersir (Derry) - Posts: 808 - 14/05/2018 15:56:09    2100630

Fermanagh may struggle to get scores from play and if Armagh can hold them to something like 0-10 they may just get home in a low scoring affair.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1780 - 14/05/2018 16:49:19    2100663

I think this will be more like the league game than league final, which was very entertaining. Rory Gallagher has a way of setting his teams up in the championship and it sometimes isn't pretty. The fact that its in Enniskillen gives Fermanagh an edge, but I reckon Armagh will come through by around 3 points. Now I just need to find a way to pick up BBC iPlayer in the US so I can watch it

petejoeduff (Donegal) - Posts: 329 - 14/05/2018 17:29:34    2100693

Armagh will have Quigley in a vicegrips like lock. It'll be a sunny evening with Armagh playing pleasant football with lots of kickpassing. There could be an outbreak of heavy tackles. It will be an enjoyable evening. Verdict: Armagh by 5.

Dessie_Cross (Armagh) - Posts: 142 - 14/05/2018 17:50:32    2100706

The ref could have a busy night. In the League final I think that all of the Armagh back-line were on yellow cards by the end of the game. 'Sharing' yellow cards is a dangerous ploy. Fermanagh will have great difficulty dealing with the two big full forwards.

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 14/05/2018 17:54:22    2100708

Should be interesting. Fermanagh will defend in numbers and hope to draw Armagh in.
Midfield will be vital. Eoin Donnelly needs to lead from the front. A forward line off the 2 Quigleys and Corrigan could do damage however getting good ball into them is vital.
I think Fermanagh will nick this. Armagh without Clarke and the Cross players will struggle. Ricky to get sent to the stands :)

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 14/05/2018 20:03:55    2100749

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 14/05/2018 22:12:03    2100793

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 14/05/2018 23:20:34    2100819

Pity this isn't being televised. I see it's on the BBC iPlayer. Has anyone a link? I fancy Fermanagh to do it on home turf and set up a Rory Gallagher derby with Donegal. They have a fully fit squad and Armagh have a quite a few injuries I believe.

gaelicgab (USA) - Posts: 878 - 16/05/2018 16:58:22    2101438

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 17/05/2018 13:11:45    2101697

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9132 - 17/05/2018 14:21:47    2101715

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 17/05/2018 15:21:08    2101728

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1056 - 17/05/2018 16:42:14    2101739

gaelicgab (USA) - Posts: 878 - 19/05/2018 12:54:10    2102119

Here I am again arsing about on the laptop trying to get the BBC iPlayer coverage of the match. A complete joke that RTE aren't showing these games, yet they'd hours of that wedding on earlier. Complete bullshit.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9132 - 19/05/2018 18:51:07    2102167

Anyone have a link to the live feed? I'm on the website but all I'm seeing is text commentary. There's a message saying "click icon" to watch but there is no icon?

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9132 - 19/05/2018 18:53:28    2102169

Ah ok so BBC iPlayer only works in the UK so those of us south of the border can't pick up the match.
I could take a spin into Derry but I'm not doing that obviously.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9132 - 19/05/2018 19:17:50    2102172

McGeeney hasn't won a game in Ulster in his 4 years as manager. Beaten by Donegal in 2015, Cavan in 2016, Down in 2017 and now Fermanagh.

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2763 - 19/05/2018 20:53:54    2102180