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Paul Flynn is hyped for a big weekend of GAA action, with two provincial finals on the cards Ulster and Leinster both getting their moment in the spotlight. He’s especially excited about the Ulster showdown between Armagh and Donegal and the Leinster clash between Meath and Louth, which has all the makings of a classic. Get Paul Flynn’s Expert Insights.
Armagh v Donegal – A Tactical Chess Match
Saturday’s game in Clones (5:25pm) is a rematch of last year’s Ulster final, but things feel totally different this time around. Armagh are coming in as the reigning All-Ireland champions, and that matters. They’ve shown they can handle pressure—just look at how they finished against Tyrone. That kind of composure in tight moments could be huge this weekend. Get Paul Flynn’s Expert Insights.
Donegal, on the other hand, have been really disciplined efficient in attack and tight at the back. Some folks are wondering if their defense is too zonal. If that’s the case, Armagh’s runners especially the clever Rory Grugan could find ways to exploit those spaces. Grugan is the guy who pulls the strings in that Armagh attack. Get Paul Flynn’s Expert Insights.
One big question is whether Donegal can rattle Armagh goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty and disrupt his kick-outs something Tyrone didn’t manage. If Donegal can apply that kind of pressure and convert their chances, they’ll be right in this.
And let’s not forget the managers two big characters who’ll definitely add some spice to the occasion. This game could really go either way, but Flynn’s backing Armagh to edge it… in extra time after a draw in normal time.
Meath v Louth – The Surprise Showstopper
Then on Sunday (4:15pm), we’ve got Meath taking on Louth at Croke Park, and who would’ve guessed this would be the game everyone’s talking about? It’s the Battle of the Boyne, and the buzz is real there could be 60,000 people packing out Croker if the weather plays ball.
Louth beat Meath by five points just six weeks ago, and they didn’t even have Lennon or Mulroy that day both of whom made a huge difference against Kildare. Meath were missing Coffey back then, who ended up being a star performer against Dublin. So yeah, a lot’s changed in a short time.
Meath will come into this with real confidence after that win over Dublin. If they play a more direct style, like Kildare did, they can do some damage. Guys like Costello, Conlon, and Frayne have the scoring power to hurt Louth’s defense.
But Louth’s running game is deadly. If they find their rhythm and space opens up, someone like Craig Lennon an All-Star can cause serious problems.
This final will come down to handling the pressure. Both counties are buzzing, and that kind of energy can be a blessing or a burden. Meath might lean on their Tailteann Cup experience, while Louth are in their third provincial final and know the drill. Flynn’s gut says Louth will have the edge when it comes to keeping cool and getting the job done.
