BBC pundits preview the All-Ireland Football final

The biggest day in the Gaelic football calendar has arrived as Armagh and Galway prepare to meet in Sunday’s All-Ireland Football final at Croke Park.

Armagh have not won the Sam Maguire since their only triumph in 2002. For Galway, it’s been a year longer since their last title success.

The BBC has you covered for Sunday’s final. It can be watched on BBC Two NI, the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website with coverage beginning at 15:00 BST, while you can listen on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Sounds and the website with coverage again starting at 15:00.

The BBC Sport website will also live text updates, highlights and all the reaction from Croke Park.

Like with last week’s hurling, we have a stellar line-up of pundits on hand to offer their expert views, and we asked some of them how Sunday’s game will go.

Michael Murphy (Donegal’s 2012 All-Ireland-winning captain)

Twelve months ago, I managed to correctly predict that Dublin would beat Kerry by two points in the All-Ireland final. This time around I’m still equally as indecisive with my prediction.

I have gravitated towards both Armagh and Galway for different reasons. Armagh have been hardened by the highs and lows of their journey and will be given that extra lift by the thousands who will travel south to Croke Park on Sunday.

It’s been 21 years since they were in an All-Ireland final and they won’t be easily beaten, but the closer we get to the final, I’m putting more and more value in Galway.

This group has been here before, just two years ago. They have the experience and they have the system to win this game. Even with question marks over the fitness of Sean Kelly, Damien Comer and Shane Walsh, the form of their other big-game players has been simply phenomenal.

Prediction: Galway

Oisin McConville (2002 All-Ireland with Armagh)

The teams are evenly matched. There’s been a point between them in the four games that they’ve played recently.

The winning and the losing of the game for Armagh is around the midfield. [Galway goalkeeper Connor] Gleeson coughed up a goal and two points to us the last day we played that got us the draw we needed to top the group.

That made a massive difference as the competition has gone on.

Armagh got two weeks rest as a result – and it looked as if that was something we needed. Armagh look fresher now.

Again, they’ve got to target him. You’ve got to target his kick-outs. If Armagh can do that, then it’s up to the big men in the middle of the field to win the ball.

The one person who keeps popping up in my head is Damien Comer. Physically, I’m not sure Armagh have anyone to match him. He wasn’t 100% fit the last day. If he is fit, he’s more dynamic than any other forward Armagh have come up against.

If we curtail him, Armagh can win the game.

Prediction: Armagh

Owen Mulligan (three-time All-Ireland winner with Tyrone)

The midfield sector is so important with Galway’s Paul Conroy and Sean Kelly taking on Niall Grimley and Ben Crealey of Armagh. There’s certainly power and pace there and they are four box-to-box players.

With Connor Gleeson and Blaine Hughes’ kick-outs both very accurate, that will be a decisive factor.

Barry McCambridge picking up Shane Walsh will be massive as well. Walsh has been carrying an injury and McCambridge kept Kerry talisman David Clifford to one point from play in the semi-finals so I think he’ll test Walsh by running up and down the field.

It’s been a long time for both teams. I think it’ll be a draw after 70 minutes with Armagh winning in extra-time.

Prediction: Armagh

Ray Silke (two-time All-Ireland winner with Galway)

Three reasons why Galway will win.

Firstly, I think Comer, Walsh, Cillian McDaid and Rob Finnerty are more efficient than the Armagh forwards. Assuming Walsh and Comer are injury-free, they will provide a lot of trouble for Armagh.

Comer hasn’t scored in the last two matches but if he kicks back into form, Aaron McKay or Barry McCambridge will have their hands full.

Secondly, the Galway defence has been exceptional all year. The highest margin they’ve conceded all year was 16 points against Dublin. In Dylan McHugh and Liam Silke they have two outstanding half-backs while Johnny McGrath and Jack Glynn will be on their way to All-Stars if they win.

The only goal they’ve conceded in nine matches was against Armagh in the group stage, albeit from a kick-out mistake by Connor Gleeson.

Thirdly, it might be the last chance for Paul Conroy, who is 35, Comer and Walsh, who’ve been struggling with injuries, and maybe even Padraic Joyce and Cian O’Neill themselves. It’s their fifth year there. There is a sense of ‘let’s get this done’, especially after 2022. They won’t take Armagh for granted but I think Galway will edge it.

Prediction: Galway

Mickey Harte (three-time All-Ireland-winning manager with Tyrone)

There are so many variables that make predicting this game difficult.

Can this Armagh group handle the razzmatazz of being in a final for the first time?

Can Galway use the hurt of two years ago to their advantage?

Will Shane Walsh, Sean Kelly and Damien Comer be fit for Galway?

Their games are always tight. Two years ago in Croke Park it went all the way to penalties.

We can’t have penalties on Sunday of course so I think these two won’t be separated after extra-time and we’ll be back to do it again in a fortnight.

Prediction: Draw