The Anglo-Celt Cup Is Up For Grabs
- Fixture: Monaghan v Armagh
- Date: Sunday, May 7, 2026
- Throw In: 4.15 pm
- Referee: Paddy Neilan
- Venue: St. Tiernach’s Park, Clones
- TV & Streaming: RTE Sport & BBC Sport NI
MONAGHAN
Will we ever see the likes of what we witnessed in the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds last time against Derry, where Jack Mc Carron and Rory Beggan became heroes in the Farney County with two massive scores at the end of normal time and then at the end of extra time. Derry had led by ten points at one stage and looked in control before the Monaghan fightback got underway.
Monaghan are back in the provincial decider for the first time since 2021, when they were edged out by a point in an epic with Tyrone that was played in Croke Park.
The last time they were involved in a provincial decider in St. Tiernach’s Park was 2015, when they were on the right side of the result, seeing off Donegal by 0-11 to 0-10.
The performance against Cavan in the opening game of the Ulster Championship for Monaghan was much better than what they had produced in the league, and they scored 0-27 in a resounding seven-point victory over their neighbours and rivals.
Monaghan last faced Armagh in an Ulster Final in 1938 when Monaghan won by three points on a scoreline of 2-5 to 2-2, and no doubt Monaghan fans will take a three-point victory this time around.
ARMAGH
A tough start to the Ulster Championship for Armagh this year, where they faced Tyrone and were taken all the way to extra time, where they prevailed by one point on a scoreline of 1-17 to 1-16. Conor Turbitt’s fisted point proved to be the decisive score in the end. Armagh called on the bench to produce for them, and they did with Conor Turbitt (0-02) and Oisin O’Neill (0-06) getting vital scores.
They moved on to meet Fermanagh at Brewster Park, and they ran riot early on and led by 1-17 to 0-4 at half-time. What happened in the second half would have been a small worry for the Armagh backroom team as Fermanagh edged back into the game, scoring 1-20 in the second half, with Darragh McGurn being instrumental.
Armagh eventually won the game by eleven points on a scoreline of 2-32 to 1-24, but was it Armagh taking the foot off the gas in the second half, or did Fermanagh expose some defensive frailties?
If it were a case of a foot off the gas theory, then they showed no relenting against Down in the semi-final when they absolutely routed them 3-33 to 0-14. Six fisted points would also show the ease that Armagh got through the Mourne defence, and if Monaghan leave players with space, then there is no doubt they will be punished. Conor Turbitt (2-5) was, again, one of the star players along with Tomas McCormack (1-2).
VERDICT
Monaghan have won Ulster deciders against Armagh in 1917, 1927, and 1938, so the question will be, is it fourth time lucky for Armagh, or will the final dominance for the Farney continue?
The betting suggests that this will only go one way, and it could, but you can never write off this Monaghan team. They will need to keep the Armagh scoring threats at arm’s length and then get a few two-pointers of their own. Andrew Woods and Stephen O’Hanlon have pace to trouble the Armagh backline, and a fast start is key for Monaghan.
I think this game will go all the way, and the rub of the green that Monaghan have had this year will continue with a two-point win in the end.
SCORELINE PREDICTION
Monaghan 1-23 Armagh 2-18
Monaghan v Armagh Betting Tips
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