Andrew Murnin hooks over another point for Armagh as they begin to take a firm grip on this final.

John McGovern
BBC Sport NI contributor at St Tiernach's Park

Halfway through the opening half and Armagh have finally settled into their rhythm, rattling off five unanswered points to seize a foothold in the contest.

Monaghan, who made the blistering early running, will be keen to respond quickly and halt the Orchardmen’s momentum before it builds further in this finely poised Ulster final.

Jarly Og Burns quickly adds another for Armagh after his two-pointer. It's four straight scores for the Orchard County, amounting to five points since Monaghan last scored.

Jarly Og Burns lumps over a two-pointer to put Armagh in front for the first time in the game.

Joe McElroy tags on another for Armagh as the conditions begin to worsen in Clones.

Image source, Inpho

Charlie Vernon
Two-time Ulster SFC winner with Armagh on BBC Sounds

Oisin [Conaty] has developed into a real go-to man in that forward line. He's Armagh's best forward in terms of the pace and the threat he brings to the opposition defence.

On his fourth straight Ulster Championship Final start, Andrew Murnin gets on the scoresheet for Armagh to reduce the deficit to two points.

Philly McMahon
Eight-time All-Ireland winner with Dublin on BBC Sport

Armagh are playing the sweeper at the top of the D, so there's spaces for Monaghan to attack and get the shots off.

This time it's Oisin McGorman who bursts through and he kicks over another score for the Farneymen.

Conor McCarthy cuts inside and curls over his second point of the game.

Oisin Conaty gets his second point, this time off the left, to bring Armagh to within one of Monaghan.

Chance for Armagh to respond with a free from just inside the two-point arc and Cian McConville draws it in brilliantly.

David Mohan
BBC Sport NI in Clones

A super start from Monaghan who have settled brilliantly. As expected, Bobby McCaul is playing in attack, migrating to the full-forward position where he has a height advantage on Aaron McKay. One battle to keep an eye on.

Micheal McCarville is afforded the space and he takes on the shot to stretch Monaghan's lead out to three.

Armagh have kicked three wides already after six minutes.

Philly McMahon
Eight-time All-Ireland winner with Dublin on BBC Sport

When Armagh get on the ball, they have so many players that can get shots off, it's not just one or two players. It's a problem for the Monaghan defence.

Huge two-pointer from Andrew Woods, but Oisin Conaty responds with a single for Armagh.

Conor McCarthy gets Monaghan on the board in the opening minute.

The 2026 Ulster Championship Final is underway at St.Tiernach's Park in Clones.

Which way will this one go?

John McGovern
BBC Sport NI contributor at St Tiernach's Park

A sensational atmosphere is building inside St Tiernach’s Park as the St Mary’s Brass and Reed Band from Kingscourt parade around the pitch with both sets of players following behind ahead of throw-in.

County flags are waving from every corner of the ground while horns blare around Clones as supporters build towards fever pitch just moments before the 2026 Ulster Championship final gets under way.

Charlie Vernon
Two-time Ulster SFC winner with Armagh on BBC Sounds

Today is a big opportunity for the current group of players to eliminate the ghosts of the past.