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National Football League 2026

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Replying To The_analyser:  "That was a one off freak result in Division 2. Cork were on 6 game winning run in the league including a win against Meath the week before.

Derry not so long ago hadn't won a league or championship game for a year and that run is still not out of their system.

As I posted before, Looking at the shooting of both teams

Derry 30 scores from 42 shots. (Incredible amount of shots to concede, average would be 25 to 30 especially in a expected competitive game)

Cork 12 scores from 27 shots (worst shooting from them this year)"

On off game and over the 7 games Cork proved their worth and are now finally back in Division One, Derry finished 4th and can have no complaints."
Hadn't won in league or championship. That's div1 league and Ulster championship, so perhaps not that hard to 'achieve' it. They weren't playing in div2, or in mickey mouse provincial championships, while on that 'run'.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4624 - 25/03/2026 15:20:58    2663122

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Replying To Drax_the_destroyer:  "Groups ended last year. This summer has the Sigerson cup style format"
Can anyone lay out exactly how this will work in 2026? Are the matchups pulled from 'seeded pots'? Are losing provincial finalists still seeded higher than ulster sides that don't make the Ulster final?

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4624 - 25/03/2026 15:26:03    2663126

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Kerry,Cork,Galway,Meath and Derry look to be certs for home draws in the first round of the All Ireland series.Maybe Cavan or Monaghan could ambush Derry.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1242 - 25/03/2026 16:03:15    2663139

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "Hadn't won in league or championship. That's div1 league and Ulster championship, so perhaps not that hard to 'achieve' it. They weren't playing in div2, or in mickey mouse provincial championships, while on that 'run'."
When we can win four games in Division 1 with a huge turn over of players and 11 making their debuts then no excuse for Derry to go winless in Division 1 last year.

The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 4310 - 25/03/2026 16:24:21    2663143

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Replying To gunman:  "Kerry,Cork,Galway,Meath and Derry look to be certs for home draws in the first round of the All Ireland series.Maybe Cavan or Monaghan could ambush Derry."
Cavan beat Mayo, Tyrone beat Donegal and Dublin beat Galway last year. The league qualifiers often are wounded and come out swinging. Dangerous.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9579 - 25/03/2026 16:41:00    2663149

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There is a bunch of teams that can beat each other on a given day (at least 8 i think!!).

and then you have Kerry who don't seem to be doing much but cruise to a league final all the same!

Kerry have to be odds on. They can be beaten but it will be tough to catch them.

Donegal will be hard to beat but I think they may already have reached their top level. They seemed to be going very hard at the league. Not writing them off, they are very good but others will improve as the year goes on.

We (Galway) got a reasonable kind draw. We have a bit of extra time to get the injuries cleared up, Thompson back from Erasmus etc. Fingers crossed. Connacht will still be a minefield.

Exciting few months a head. A lucky run injury wise could be the deciding factor for a lot of teams. We all have certain positions/players that we struggle for depth in. Other very good players could get injured but you may have decent cover.

Should be good craic!!

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1936 - 25/03/2026 16:47:20    2663151

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Replying To Mayonman:  "There is a bunch of teams that can beat each other on a given day (at least 8 i think!!).

and then you have Kerry who don't seem to be doing much but cruise to a league final all the same!

Kerry have to be odds on. They can be beaten but it will be tough to catch them.

Donegal will be hard to beat but I think they may already have reached their top level. They seemed to be going very hard at the league. Not writing them off, they are very good but others will improve as the year goes on.

We (Galway) got a reasonable kind draw. We have a bit of extra time to get the injuries cleared up, Thompson back from Erasmus etc. Fingers crossed. Connacht will still be a minefield.

Exciting few months a head. A lucky run injury wise could be the deciding factor for a lot of teams. We all have certain positions/players that we struggle for depth in. Other very good players could get injured but you may have decent cover.

Should be good craic!!"
Will Damien Comer get some gametime in the championship, do you think, Mayonman?

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8487 - 25/03/2026 18:17:43    2663174

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Replying To gunman:  "Kerry,Cork,Galway,Meath and Derry look to be certs for home draws in the first round of the All Ireland series.Maybe Cavan or Monaghan could ambush Derry."
Meath won't have access to Pairc Tailteann this year or next and have nominated Croke Park as home venue but don't know for sure if championship home game will be played there.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 954 - 25/03/2026 20:14:24    2663192

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