Ticket shortage adds extra edge to Ulster final

The shortage of tickets for Sunday’s much anticipated Ulster final between Derry and Armagh has added an extra edge to the build up to the game.

Many loyal fans who have attended all the county's games this season have been left out in the cold as clubs attempt to bring a bit of comfort to their members with home-based entertainment on the day.

The Clones cauldron, which is badly in need of a facelift, has been the spiritual home for Ulster deciders for over a century, the atmosphere at the Monaghan venue will be intense and with the 29,000 attendances hoping that the expected rain stays away.

Derry start the game as favourites, but the closeness of the odds would suggest that Kieran Mc Geeney’s side can bring all the stealth created by encounters against sides from the top flight to the table on Sunday.

Past Derry-Armagh encounters have been mostly close-run affairs, there was, however, a comfortable win for the oak leaf county back in 2011, Derry running out 3.14 to 1.11 winners.

In 2005 Armagh got over the line by a single point 1.11 to 1.10, and in 2000 the orchard side had 2 points to spare winning 1.12 to 1.11.

In 2010 there was 3 points between the sides, with Armagh running out 1.10 to 1.07 victors.

The most modern clash of the sides was in 2020 when Armagh won 0.17 to 0.15.

The Ulster decider is possibly the most enthralling decider for many years, Derry back in 1977 were aiming for 3 provincial titles in a row, but were foiled by an Armagh outfit captained by Lurgan man Jimmy Smyth, on their way to an All Ireland final.