It’s remarkable to think that over the 20 years I have been sharing my thoughts with Irish News readers, either Donegal or Armagh have featured in the Ulster SFC final on 15 of those seasons.
Their presence has been a defining thread in the tapestry of Ulster football this century.
As records go, Saturday’s Anglo-Celt decider was the highest scoring ever in the 140-year history of the GAA.
Kudos to the other Jim for injecting fresh energy into the game, bringing it to a place where it is more profitable to play with bravery than conservatism.
Lately, the two questions I’ve been asked most are: what do I make of the new rules, and what major tactical shifts do I see as a result.
Like many of you, I’m a big fan of the changes. The most obvious takeaway is that cynicism no longer pays. The solo and go and the 50 metre penalty being the obvious antidotes.
In today’s game, 25 points has become a realistic baseline—on most summer days, that’s the minimum you’ll need to even have a shot at winning a Championship match.
On Saturday, we were again reminded that a seven-point lead isn’t necessarily a match-winning position as Donegal almost found out.
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Armagh’s Kieran McGeeney rues late refereeing call as Donegal inflict another Ulster final loss
The outer arc has been instrumental in altering approaches, both with the two-pointers and kickouts.
The percentage of opposition restarts that teams are now winning is statistical proof that the midfield battle is back.
The goalkeeper who can find the kick when his team needs it most is worth his weight and gold.
Step forward Shaun Patton. When Stefan Campbell put Armagh ahead at the beginning of the second half of extra-time, Rory Grugan missed a chance to increase the lead.
Armagh had put a serious squeeze on the next kickout but Patton somehow found Brendan McCole among four orange jerseys with a mid-rang chip that was simply out of the top drawer.
This move ended with Ciaran Moore scoring the goal that would prove to be the score to break Armagh hearts.
I did question at the time if Armagh had used their bench effectively with the players they took off and the ones they introduced.
I don’t like singling any player out but there were certain forwards kept on and others introduced who offered no scoring threat.
The brilliant Oisin O’Neill and Player of the Match Oisin Conaty had combined for an impressive 0-13 between them, but with both being substituted due to cramp, I couldn’t help but wonder if that would rob Armagh of their scoring edge.
As lively and effective as he was upon his introduction, there seemed to be an over-reliance on Stefan Campbell to create opportunities, particularly during extra time.
There were many talking points but perhaps the one that will be deliberated over most will be the moment at the end of extra-time when Soupy Campbell got blown for over-carrying.
It looked like match referee Brendan Cawley was about to give Armagh a free to lead the game entering the final couple of minutes.
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In real time, I thought that Campbell had run out of room and on his fifth step tried to play the referee by taking the Donegal defender’s line and charging into Finnbarr Roarty.
On closer inspection, and with the benefit of replays and slow motion, you could actually see that the Armagh super-sub had his right leg taken from underneath him as he made a sharp change of direction.
In my opinion, it should have been a free in to Armagh. It was such a difficult one to call and it must be said that the referee had a really good game overall.
In a game of inches, it’s those small breaks that can switch the momentum and Donegal got a bigger share of those than their opponents.
The first Donegal goal was another example of this. Armagh had suffocated the path to goal and turned it over.
But the ball somehow ricocheted into the path of Hugh McFadden.
When you pair that with the two gilt edge goal chances that Armagh missed, you can see how the pendulum swings massively.
As we look back on an unforgettable Ulster final, it’s important to acknowledge that the troubling scenes at the end were unacceptable and have no place in our sport.
Whether it’s goading an opponent who has just lost or resorting to physical violence in retaliation, both actions are entirely wrong.
I’m sure both Jim McGuinness and Kieran McGeeney will be disappointed with the role their players played in this incident.
Yet another agonising Ulster Final defeat for Armagh, but muscle memory will remind them it doesn’t need to define their season as the bigger prize lies ahead.
Donegal will enjoy the moment of winning back-to-back Ulster titles but only the lure of Sam will properly satisfy them now.
With all still to play for, we could yet see these two rivals meet again later on in the summer. What a blockbuster that would be.
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