Glorious opportunity awaits in novel Leinster decider

Long live the provincial championships. People thought they were dead and waiting to be put out of their misery.

But they've come roaring back to life in 2025. And now look, we've two provincial deciders this weekend where pundits can barely put a sheet of paper between the teams.

The mood in Mayo is still sombre after last Sunday. For the second year in succession, they've blown a Connacht title that was there for them on a platter.

Level in the game with 18 minutes left and a huge gale behind them. It seemed hard to see how they weren't going to get it done at that point.

Then the Mayo of 2024 re-appeared. The wides started to mount, balls were dropped short. Galway's leaders like Cillian McDaid and Liam Silke came to the fore.

Looking back, you're left with a few 'whys'. Why were Davitt Neary and Darren McHale taken off when they were the sharpest forwards? Why was Paddy Durcan left on the bench? Why did Colm Reape go short?

The last one was especially costly, leaving them with 14 for the rest of the game. With that wind, the ball should be landed on the opposition 45.

I appreciate Galway had the edge at midfield at that stage - though Mayo competed fairly well there for a lot of the game. But even when Galway were winning primary possession, Mayo's pressing and intensity was forcing loads of turnovers and the refereeing overall was tilted in favour of the tackling team. Paddy Neilan was allowing a good deal of contact - except in one incident - and the ball carrier was getting done for over-carrying.

The short kickout debacle had huge implications. Galway got a handy score at a time when they were hard to come by and their numerical advantage countered Mayo's wind advantage down the stretch.

And again, the lack of a left-footed free-taker haunted us in the closing stages. Aidan O'Shea did go close with one from a tight angle but he's not a dead-ball specialist, nor would he claim to be.

Watching Galway rattle off four Connachts in a row is not a pleasant sight from a Mayo perspective, less so when we've gifted them a couple of them.

Pádraic Joyce will derive particular satisfaction from winning Connacht without his two most high profile forwards. Their reward is this ridiculous Group of Death but they'll go into with huge confidence.

The one thing we can all take from the day is that it was a cracking occasion. Almost a throwback - 27,000 plus in attendance and a rip-roaring atmosphere from start to finish.

And it gave a lie to all the bulls**t talked in the build-up that the teams wouldn't be going all out for the Connacht title in light of the round robin draw.

Nerves a jangle on Jones's Road

We can probably anticipate something similar in Clones and Croke Park this weekend. We haven't been able to say that about Leinster final day for some time.

The buzz around Jones's Road will be enormous on Sunday. Both teams know this is a massive opportunity.

It's a hard one to call. Louth won the final league game between the sides comfortably but Meath had a better campaign overall. They went into that one looking for promotion rather than seeking to avoid relegation. The latter was probably stronger motivation.

For me, one of the central questions is whether Meath have come down to earth after the Dublin victory in time to really focus in on this game. We've seen it plenty over the years, in multiple sports. Teams who land a momentous win in a semi-final and then struggled to replicate the same 'emotional energy' the next day out.

The 2019 Rugby World Cup being a prime example, where England beat New Zealand and then didn't show up at all for the final against South Africa. In football, there's a parallel with Cork in 2020, pipping Kerry at the death and then losing the Munster final to Tipperary.

Conall McKeever celebrates scoring Louth's decisive goal against Kildare

It's a tricky psychological challenge for Meath. By contrast, Louth's progression has been more business-like. They ground out a big win in a really high pressured semi-final against Kildare, which had Sam Maguire participation riding on it.

They've been boosted by the return of Sam Mulroy and Craig Lennon - the latter was superb the last day even if he narrowly avoided serious embarassment at full-time...

They're well used to this terrain, having made the last two Leinster finals. They got pummelled in 2023 but last year was a very creditable showing, The county is on a crest of a wave after their first Leinster Under-20 title since 1981.

The experienced Meath players, who've suffered through so many tough days, will be desperate to get their hands on provincial silverware. I'd imagine the nervous tension during the game will be extreme.

But Louth have had a knack of getting over Meath in recent years. They've found a way to win in big do-or-die games under Ger Brennan. I'd give them the nod to shade it this Sunday and claim a first Leinster title in 65 years.

Take your two-pointers and the goal will come

If that wasn't enough, we've another coin flip in Ulster. What odds another penalty shootout?

Armagh's showing so far in 2025 has been enormously impressive. There seems to be no lack of hunger after winning the All-Ireland last year. Instead, they've developed even more composure and look really comfortable in pressure situations.

They were missing Rian O'Neill and had only six starters from the 2024 All-Ireland final against Tyrone and they still managed to squeeze out of their with a win.

And they still have unfinished business in Ulster. A provincial title, after so many heartaches, would copper-fasten their legacy.

But they're taking on bonafide fellow All-Ireland contenders. Donegal weren't at their most thrilling against Down but got the job done with minimal fuss.

Jim McGuinness hasn't been afraid to change around his team. Oisín Gallen had been kept in reserve but was thrown into the side the last day. Michael Murphy has looked sharp and imposing since returning to the fray.

The threat they pose with their runners from deep is lethal, Peadar Mogan running amok down the wings. Daire Ó Baoill has been rampant, especially the first day out against Derry.

We saw the importance of Paul Conroy's two-point shooting in giving Galway a foothold in Castlebar.

I'm anticipating a clinic in two-point shooting in Clones. Last year's Ulster final gave us an exhibition of long-range scoring.

With the reward doubled this year and an abundance of excellent kickers on either team, I'd expect more of the same on Saturday.

Neither team has been burying many goals. Armagh didn't score one the last day and Donegal have only four in 10 matches - though they have been creating enough chances.

If one team can manufacture a goal, that could swing the game. Otherwise, it will be determined by accuracy from two-point range.

The two teams know each other so well and the threats the other carries. If Donegal can shackle Oisín Conaty, that could be the winning of it.

Armagh are hungry for a first Ulster title in 17 years but McGuinness doesn't tend to lose games in the province. Narrowly, I'd give the nod to Donegal but they may need extra-time again.

Watch the Ulster Football Championship final, Armagh v Donegal, on Saturday from 5pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1

Watch the Leinster Football Championship final, Meath v Louth, on Sunday from 3.45pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1

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