Just checked with the bookies and you get odds of 5/2 for Dublin, Mayo and Kerry all to be provincial champions this summer. There will be a lot of lads very rich from that on here.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 07/05/2015 13:58:43    1721223

That's not great odds, 5/2 for the three... Must check the odds on Kerry, Dublin and Mayo... as for ulster I fancy Donegal... they haven't gone away and impressed me during the league if even only in 2nd gear..

Horsebox77 (Kerry) - Posts: 5491 - 07/05/2015 15:59:13    1721294

I definitely think Cavan have a great chance at claiming ulster. Good side of the draw. I seen Monaghan in McHale Park, they are not very good. If they don't fight and srgue with them I think they will win cause they have better footballers

sxckev (Mayo) - Posts: 211 - 07/05/2015 17:24:30    1721331

Ulster has one certainty, no matter who wins, there will be a conspiracy against the Ulster teams by the Southern MEEJA against whatever team emerges from the Blanket Province.

Ulsterman will pick up southern newspapers, and see anti-Ulster sentiment all over them. Accusations of Dublin buying a Championship will emerge.

Oh summer, you gotta love it!

JayP (Dublin) - Posts: 1772 - 07/05/2015 17:33:52    1721335

Monaghan should win ulster this year, they have a handy draw and will be using their matches v cavan and fermanagh to limber up a few lads for their match in clones.

From the other side of the draw, I think if we can get past tyrone, our problems are only beginning. But after the dublin game last year, I will never doubt them again, so I hope we get past them. It is wide open who monaghan will be playing in the ulster final. I fancy derry to make an unexpected appearance and if they do, they will be a very tough opponent for monaghan.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 07/05/2015 18:21:04    1721356

I don't hold with this talk about Donegal being hampered by having the tough side of the draw.

In 2012 they beat Cavan Derry, Tyrone & Down to win Ulster & then went on to beat Kerry Cork & Mayo to claim Sam. I don't recall them looking jaded at any stage.

Granted there is always the risk of injuries, no one can legislate for that, but otherwise if Donegal don't win Ulster it won't be because of the schedule, it will be because they weren't good enough.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 07/05/2015 19:20:28    1721369

Q1
Laois beat Fermanagh
Longford beat Derry

Tyrone beat Louth
Cavan beat Westmeath
Down beat Leitrim

Q2
Limerick beat Antrim
Roscommon beat Cavan
Kildare beat Down

Q3
Armagh beat Roscommon

Q4
Armagh beat Meath
Monaghan beat Kildare

QF
Dublin beat Monaghan

SF
Donegal beat Dublin

Final
Kerry beat Dongeal

Ah look, the Munster Final can never be predictable despite whoever the favourites might be. Looking at stats from last year, when Ulster took on counties from outside their province there was 7 wins each. I often say though, the qualifier draws should be seeded based on league performance. It'd give the league something of an added edge while not being altogether too crucial at the same time. Seeded teams are always there to be beaten.

Returning more to the question asked:

R1
Donegal v Tyrone - Tyrone win (3 draws, unlucky to be relegated.)

QF
Cavan v Monaghan - Cavan win (I wouldn't read much into their league. Steady Eddie job of staying where they are. nothing wrong with that.)
Fermanagh v Antrim - Fermanagh win
Derry v Down - Down win
Armagh v Tyrone - Armagh win (double upset of Tyrone R1 win and QF loss)

SF
Cavan v Fermanagh - Cavan win
Down v Armagh - Armagh win (Armagh to back up a decent showing in last year's championship)

Final
Cavan v Armagh - Armagh win (My dark horse for the Ulster Championship. Might even be there on the day.)

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7918 - 07/05/2015 19:52:22    1721380

Cavan will rattle Monaghan, and I have already gone on record saying I expect Cavan to cause a shock win. I also expect Fermanagh to beat Antrim. A Cavan v Fermanagh SF would pose a problem though, as Fermanagh would be pumped up to enough to beat their neighbours.

The other side of Ulster is a nightmare to predict. The winner of Donegal v Tyrone, will have Armagh sitting waiting for them. The winner of Derry v Down will then play the winner of Armagh v Donegal/Tyrone.

Donegal are probably the strongest overall team in Ulster, but they will be constantly up against it and will struggle to avoid Injuries in what will be a bruising encounters against Tyrone and Armagh. So I wouldn't be surprised if they were caught in the Ulster SF by Derry or Down, so we could see a novel Ulster final between Cavan/Fermanagh v Derry/Down.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 07/05/2015 20:58:45    1721410

Some very interesting predictions here but I still think it will be a Monaghan v Donegal final. A lot of people predicting Cavan to beat Monaghan but I don't see that happening. No doubt that Cavan are a side on an upward trajectory and will give Monaghan a rattle but not sure they could beat them. I guess a shock or two along the way is not out of the question.

JimTheLegend (Donegal) - Posts: 247 - 08/05/2015 09:43:43    1721454

Anybody think Roscommon to win Connaught are worth a nibble at 3/1?

Joe_Bloggs (Tipperary) - Posts: 186 - 08/05/2015 10:04:40    1721462

Connacht... I think Roscommon might just pip Mayo in the Final.
Leinster....You can't look past Dublin.
Munster.....Kerry have got an awsome panel of top quality players
Ulster......

preliminary Round
Donegal v Tyrone - Donegal

QF
Cavan v Monaghan - I'm afraid to predict this..but leaving my heart out of it. It has to be Monaghan.
Fermanagh v Antrim - Fermanagh
Derry v Down - so close. could be a draw with Down to win the replay.
Armagh v Donegal - Donegal. I think Armagh are an improving team under Mcgeeney..maybe just A year too early though.

SF
Monaghan v Fermanagh - Monaghan
Down v Donegal - Donegal

Final
Monaghan v Donegal - A better game this time.. with Donegal shading it.

s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5518 - 08/05/2015 11:14:31    1721481

Exactly Muchross.

I think you can look at Donegal's side of the draw in another light. Should we reach the Ulster final we'll have disposed of Tyrone, Armagh and Down/Derry. Three hard matches which should have them battle hardened for whomever they may meet in the final.

Injuries are par for the course and if you spent all your time worrying about their potential for upset then you'd never take to the field!
A Donegal Cavan final for me!

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9189 - 08/05/2015 11:14:35    1721482

No Joe.......I dont sorry

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 08/05/2015 11:26:04    1721489

Donegal off on a training camp to a secret location jaysis this bs is cringeworthy.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 08/05/2015 11:26:48    1721490

clondalkindub
County: Dublin
Posts: 6042

1721490 Donegal off on a training camp to a secret location jaysis this bs is cringeworthy.

No secret location, they announced earlier this week they were going to Lough Erne resort in Fermanagh.

It was said that Tyrone went into hiding though, as they expected Donegal would have a fleet of spies slipping in over the wee border roads.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 08/05/2015 11:35:43    1721491

Cringe to whoever does it like wtf is it all about, secret locations give me a break.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 08/05/2015 11:44:23    1721495

clondalkindub
County: Dublin
Posts: 6042

1721490
Donegal off on a training camp to a secret location jaysis this bs is cringeworthy.

Not half as cringeworthy as your post.

Get your facts right man, Donegal are in Lough Erne, a mere 20 miles from home.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 08/05/2015 11:45:53    1721496

DoireCityFC
County: Derry
Posts: 98

1721489
No Joe.......I dont sorry

No need to apologise!
I'm still going to have a cut though. I think they'll surely get into the final and I wouldnt mind 3/1 to lift the cup against Mayo or Galway.

Joe_Bloggs (Tipperary) - Posts: 186 - 08/05/2015 13:00:30    1721513

Wasn't just aimed at Donegal, mined you the man on the tree down in Kerry was very cringeworthy, he must have fell off the tree just as Kerry were planning there blanket on blanket tactics.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 08/05/2015 13:11:26    1721519

Ulster never easy to call but I think this year could see a lot of upsets I go for Armagh to beat Cavan in the final.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1780 - 08/05/2015 13:13:52    1721520