Armagh (holders) v Donegal

Clones 3pm Saturday

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 of Donegal in the 2024 final by just 2 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 today’s game with only league form as a measuring stick to where they are at.

Armagh operate in Division 1 of the league had 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 5 in the league final. Other major contributors have been Blaithin Mackin, Niamh Henderson and Eve Lavery. They also have 3 current All Stars in their squad, namely Grace Ferguson, Lauren Mc Conville and Aoife Mc Coy.

While the form book would suggest an Armagh victory, Donegal will not be phased by the Orchard girls. Their manager is none other than James Daly, a 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 Mc Loughlin, 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 2, lost 2 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 Mc Loughlin 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

The TG4 Ulster Intermediate Championship semi-finals are set for Sunday.

Tyrone v Down; Thomas Clarke’s, Dungannon, 2pm 

A repeat of last year’s TG4 Intermediate semi-final pits Tyrone against Down.

This time, it’s in the Ulster Championship and there’s a final place at stake.

Tyrone have Lidl NFL Division 1 experience from this year to call upon but Down are the provincial champions.

Tyrone had to survive a fierce test from Fermanagh last weekend before advancing on a 4-10 to 3-11 score line. That game will have done them the world of good however Down will be in no mood to give up their title. Eight of their starting lineup started last year’s final.

Tyrone: A Coyle; J Lyons, G McKenna, E Quinn; C Canavan, C Campbell, S McCarroll; M Mallon, A McHugh (capt.); M Moore, S Gormley, A Horisk; A McGahan, C McCrossan, N O’Neill.

Down: C Byrne; A Greene, C McCreanor, N McClory; C Mulvenna (capt.), A Brogan, A Sands; M Doherty, A Laverty; E Fitzpatrick, L Duffy, A Smyth; N King, N Rice, E Hicks.

Monaghan v Cavan; Éire Óg, Smithboro, 2pm 

Monaghan lost out in last year’s provincial final and will be anxious to go one step better this time.

But they’ll have it all to do against a Cavan side on the rise.

The Breffni County landed the Lidl National League Division 3 title recently and will be high on confidence.

Monaghan won three of their seven outings in Division 2 of the Lidl NFL. The last time the sides met was in last year’s league when Monaghan won by 3 points. This one could go right to the wire.

Monaghan: O Kelly; C Brennan, S Brady, A Loughman; G Hanratty, J Duffy, A Garland (capt.); A Burns, N Flannigan; C Kelly, L Garland, C Treanor; L Connolly, E Sherry, L Maguire.

Cavan: E Baugh; L Crowe, S Kelly, E Corcoran; M Sheridan, S Lynch (capt.), S Greene; M Fitzpatrick, A Deneher; E Brady, L McVeety, C Dolan; N Keenaghan, A Sheridan, A Gilsenan.

On Saturday the TG4 Ulster Junior Championship continues.

Antrim v London; Tír na nÓg, Randalstown, 1pm

Antrim can book a place in the final with victory here.

The Saffrons, recently-crowned Lidl NFL Division 4 champions, got the better of Derry in Round 1.

London will provide stiff opposition but Antrim will start as favourites to advance.

Antrim: A Devlin; N McIntosh, M Blaney, M Mulholland; S O’Neill, C Brown, C McKenna; A Mulholland, O Todd; T Mellon, M O’Neill, A Kelly; B Devlin (capt.), L Agnew, Á Tubridy.

London: H Dike-Lawlor; M Jordan (capt.), L Harrold, O Reilly; C Flanagan, A Spain, N Cunningham; E McCarthy, A Healy; E Gray, A Molloy, D Snow; E Bartley, A Ryan, E Phelan.

It was a hell of a weekend in Ulster with 2 championship games, 2 underage semi-finals and 3 U16 finals played.

In the TG4 Intermediate championship Tyrone came from 5 points down to beat Fermanagh 4-10 to 3-11. Niamh O Neill and Eimear Smyth were joint top scorers with 2-2 and 0-8 respectively.

In the TG4 Junior championship Antrim had a 4-12 to 1-5 win over Derry. The Saffrons are back in action this weekend when they take on London.

The U16 finals delivered some cracking games.

Platinum – Cavan 3-11 Tyrone 2-5

Gold – Donegal 3-13 Down 3-12

Silver – Armagh 3-12 Antrim 0-12

In the U16 Bronze semi Derry had a 8-19 to 1-8 win over Fermanagh while in the U18 Bronze semi Down were too strong for Fermanagh winning 8-14 to 0-7.

It’s a super busy weekend in ULGF with the start of our championships, 3 U16 finals and an U16 and U18 semi-final. Two games are scheduled for Saturday and five for Sunday.

SATURDAY

U16 Bronze S/F

Derry v Fermanagh – Faughanvale 12noon

Junior Championship

Derry v Antrim – Ballerin 2pm

SUNDAY

U16 Platinum Final

Tyrone v Cavan – Brewster Park 1pm

U16 Gold and Silver Finals

Down v Donegal – Truagh 12noon

Antrim v Armagh – Truagh 2pm

U18 Bronze S/F

Fermanagh v Down – Tempo 11-30am

Intermediate Championship

Fermanagh v Tyrone – Kinawley 2pm

Saturday was a very busy day with our four U14 finals taking place.

In Garvaghey Tyrone won the Platinum title with a comprehensive win over Derry while Monaghan and Donegal played a much tighter game which Donegal eventually won to claim the gold title.

In Silverbridge there were wins for Cavan and Fermanagh respectively as they lifted the silver and bronze titles.