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Football Championship 2026

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "As are Cork..."
Congrats neighbours.You are going well.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4163 - 15/06/2026 17:51:21    2680013

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Croker confirmed for Dublin Donegal.

Anybody with half a brain knew Parnell was never a runner.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1680 - 15/06/2026 17:54:45    2680016

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I don't think Dublin have the consistency to win it out but they definitely have enough talented players to beat any of "the contenders" in a one off game.

Donegal will have it all to do. Con, Kilkenny, Sully etc have the class and I think POCB is hugely important for them. They don't seem to have anyone with the sheet size to do what he does.

Will be a lot of tight muscles for any of these teams that qualify for the QF.

Does anyone have the stats on teams playind 3 weeks in a row and winning on the third week? Will be tough on them.

Mayonman (Galway) - Posts: 1964 - 15/06/2026 21:33:16    2680047

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Replying To foreveryoung:  "Certainly, some great games to look forward to:

Dublin v Donegal: I agree that Donegal will be big favorites, but the Dubs seem to be developing the required type of resilience just at the right time, something that they didn't have over the past 4-5 months. And GB back on the line is a factor too. They should take it to the Neller. Draw and the Dubs in extra-time.

Mayo v Meath: Neither team has the killer instinct to go all the way, but home advantage might sway it for Mayo.

Monaghan v Westmeath: Same here, again home advantage might sway it. But WM are some battlers, lost their two mid-fielders yesterday but kept plugging away til the end, and without Luke Loughlin all year. He is their Davy Clifford.

Kerry v Armagh: Kerry big favorites here, at home, against an Armagh side that has been on the road for quite a while now. Surely, Kerry will never allow a second Ulster team beat them again in Killarney in the same year, in the same championship. But…"
The big difference between that Donegal match and this Armagh match for Kerry is that this is now knockout.

Kerry will be a completely different animal in Killarney this Sunday.

Past hurler (None) - Posts: 1035 - 15/06/2026 21:38:16    2680048

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There are 2 ulster teams in the preliminary quarter finals this weekend because they didnt take their opposition seriously enough. Armagh finally got caught for not putting teams away when they were more than capable of. Tyrone and Monaghan should have nipped them in Ulster. Donegal under McGuinness dont have off days too often but they happen and this one was a case of lets just grind out a result and like Armagh they got caught. The new game does not allow for defending a lead. Its almost worse to be ahead until near the end. There are 3 very unlikely teams gone straight to QF stage because they went for it. Welcome home football

Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 74 - 16/06/2026 00:06:50    2680061

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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "There are 2 ulster teams in the preliminary quarter finals this weekend because they didnt take their opposition seriously enough. Armagh finally got caught for not putting teams away when they were more than capable of. Tyrone and Monaghan should have nipped them in Ulster. Donegal under McGuinness dont have off days too often but they happen and this one was a case of lets just grind out a result and like Armagh they got caught. The new game does not allow for defending a lead. Its almost worse to be ahead until near the end. There are 3 very unlikely teams gone straight to QF stage because they went for it. Welcome home football"
I keep saying it. The qualifiers should come back. It only takes two knockout rounds for 23 or 24 teams to playoff for the 7 or 8 league qualifiers spots, depending on how far the Tailteann goes in their province.
If the qualifiers make a return, the Tailteann just needs to go straight knockout as all teams will have played at least two games already between provincial championship and qualifying rounds.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9832 - 16/06/2026 11:32:21    2680124

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Replying To legendzxix:  "I keep saying it. The qualifiers should come back. It only takes two knockout rounds for 23 or 24 teams to playoff for the 7 or 8 league qualifiers spots, depending on how far the Tailteann goes in their province.
If the qualifiers make a return, the Tailteann just needs to go straight knockout as all teams will have played at least two games already between provincial championship and qualifying rounds."
Why should the qualifiers come back? Fair play to the 4 teams that got straight through to the quarter finals. The draw for this weekend has thrown up a few tasty fixtures. That's what the AI Series does. No preferencial treatment for any County. If you loose a match you pay the price of playing 3 weeks in a row, if you win this weekend.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 1013 - 16/06/2026 12:04:07    2680140

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Replying To legendzxix:  "I keep saying it. The qualifiers should come back. It only takes two knockout rounds for 23 or 24 teams to playoff for the 7 or 8 league qualifiers spots, depending on how far the Tailteann goes in their province.
If the qualifiers make a return, the Tailteann just needs to go straight knockout as all teams will have played at least two games already between provincial championship and qualifying rounds."
90%+ voted for the current system.
You seem to be the only one going back to the old Qualifier system!

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 652 - 16/06/2026 12:14:53    2680145

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I know it's too late now, but is there anything to be said for an open draw in Round 3? That is, don't have it as Round 2A losers vs Round 2B winners. Just fire them all in together.

Tacaí Liatroma (Leitrim) - Posts: 1311 - 16/06/2026 12:39:18    2680154

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "Why should the qualifiers come back? Fair play to the 4 teams that got straight through to the quarter finals. The draw for this weekend has thrown up a few tasty fixtures. That's what the AI Series does. No preferencial treatment for any County. If you loose a match you pay the price of playing 3 weeks in a row, if you win this weekend."
Down, Wexford and Offaly would have had the opportunity to cause an upset in the playoffs.

Example Qualifier Round 1 (Same weekend as Leinster and Ulster finals)
Donegal bye
Mayo bye
Meath bye
Louth bye
Derry bye
Tyrone v Longford
Cavan v Limerick
Down v Fermanagh
Wexford v Wicklow
Offaly v Antrim
Laois v Tipperary
Sligo v London
Clare v Leitrim
Carlow v Waterford

Example Qualifier Round 2 (Weekend after Ulster and Leinster finals)
Donegal v Wexford/Wicklow
Mayo v Down/Fermanagh
Meath v Offaly/Antrim
Louth Laois/Tipperary
Derry v Sligo/London
Tyrone/Longford v Clare/Leitrim
Cavan/Limerick v Carlow/Waterford

All Ireland Round 1 (All 8 games on the same weekend, 2 weeks after Ulster and Leinster finals.)
Provincial finalists v Qualifiers:
Roscommon v Tyrone/Longford/Clare/Leitrim
Galway v Kildare
Kerry v Donegal/Wexford/Wicklow
Cork v Meath/Offaly/Antrim
Westmeath v Cavan/Limerick/Carlow/Waterford
Dublin v Louth/Laois/Tipperary
Armagh v Derry/Sligo/London
Monaghan v Mayo/Down/Fermanagh

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9832 - 16/06/2026 12:49:58    2680155

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Replying To Past hurler:  "The big difference between that Donegal match and this Armagh match for Kerry is that this is now knockout.

Kerry will be a completely different animal in Killarney this Sunday."
That will suit Armagh because the match is being played on Saturday.

endgame (Roscommon) - Posts: 2709 - 16/06/2026 12:51:07    2680156

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Replying To legendzxix:  "I keep saying it. The qualifiers should come back. It only takes two knockout rounds for 23 or 24 teams to playoff for the 7 or 8 league qualifiers spots, depending on how far the Tailteann goes in their province.
If the qualifiers make a return, the Tailteann just needs to go straight knockout as all teams will have played at least two games already between provincial championship and qualifying rounds."
Are you joking? The championship so far has been the best in possibly two decades. The drama in the last couple of weeks has been unheard of. The current system has the right amount of jeopardy, who would have thought Roscommon would be gone already and Mayo still in? Kerry facing down Armagh winner takes all for a space in the quarters! Long may it continue.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2083 - 16/06/2026 12:52:48    2680157

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Replying To Square_B:  "Are you joking? The championship so far has been the best in possibly two decades. The drama in the last couple of weeks has been unheard of. The current system has the right amount of jeopardy, who would have thought Roscommon would be gone already and Mayo still in? Kerry facing down Armagh winner takes all for a space in the quarters! Long may it continue."
The current system at the All Ireland 16 stage is great. There needs to be more head to head clashes for the 7 league qualifier spots. Some teams are a bit too comfortable losing a provincial match and going straight through to the All Ireland series regardless.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9832 - 16/06/2026 13:09:33    2680159

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Replying To Square_B:  "Are you joking? The championship so far has been the best in possibly two decades. The drama in the last couple of weeks has been unheard of. The current system has the right amount of jeopardy, who would have thought Roscommon would be gone already and Mayo still in? Kerry facing down Armagh winner takes all for a space in the quarters! Long may it continue."
It's not much of a thought in fairness. We may only last a week longer but I'm not surprised we are in the championship longer than them because history shows we usually are. People have questions marks and doubts about Mayo always and I accept that will continue until we eventually win an All Ireland.

Likewise you'd have to question and doubt Roscommon until they start delivering at the business end of the championship.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 12132 - 16/06/2026 13:15:27    2680160

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Replying To Square_B:  "Are you joking? The championship so far has been the best in possibly two decades. The drama in the last couple of weeks has been unheard of. The current system has the right amount of jeopardy, who would have thought Roscommon would be gone already and Mayo still in? Kerry facing down Armagh winner takes all for a space in the quarters! Long may it continue."
Yeah no system is perfect but this is as good as has been for donkeys ages.

The only bad thing is teams like Tyrone and maybe Donegal getting a chance for boot camps before All Ireland series which gave them opportunities to ambush provincial champions.

There is a danger more teams cop on to whats required to win your provincial and then All Ireland.

If Monaghan beat Westmeath, it will mean only 1 provincial champion is in the quarterfinals

shaggykev (Donegal) - Posts: 489 - 16/06/2026 13:22:16    2680162

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Replying To Square_B:  "Are you joking? The championship so far has been the best in possibly two decades. The drama in the last couple of weeks has been unheard of. The current system has the right amount of jeopardy, who would have thought Roscommon would be gone already and Mayo still in? Kerry facing down Armagh winner takes all for a space in the quarters! Long may it continue."
Agreed, the added jeopardy is adding to it. Armagh were 2 seconds away from having a 2 week break and straight to the Quarter finals, but instead find themselves on the road against the All Ireland champions on Saturday - do or die.

Previous formats had too many dead rubbers, and the fact that the new rules have brought teams closer together is even better. Best championship we've had in years, and we're not even at the quarter final stages yet.

Cabbagepatch1667 (Meath) - Posts: 168 - 16/06/2026 14:05:40    2680177

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Replying To legendzxix:  "I keep saying it. The qualifiers should come back. It only takes two knockout rounds for 23 or 24 teams to playoff for the 7 or 8 league qualifiers spots, depending on how far the Tailteann goes in their province.
If the qualifiers make a return, the Tailteann just needs to go straight knockout as all teams will have played at least two games already between provincial championship and qualifying rounds."
No definitely not.
What's working is brilliant.

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2483 - 16/06/2026 14:33:44    2680183

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Any of the recent formats would have work well also as certainly it's a competitive with no certain stand out All-Ireland winner.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 4001 - 16/06/2026 14:44:27    2680185

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Replying To legendzxix:  "I keep saying it. The qualifiers should come back. It only takes two knockout rounds for 23 or 24 teams to playoff for the 7 or 8 league qualifiers spots, depending on how far the Tailteann goes in their province.
If the qualifiers make a return, the Tailteann just needs to go straight knockout as all teams will have played at least two games already between provincial championship and qualifying rounds."
Not a chance, this year has been the best in a long time. Mightn't suit teams who usually waltz their way to the semi final stage but suits everyone else. Get rid of the home fixtures and it's perfect. I definitely wouldn't have cried if Tyrone v Mayo match and others were half way through.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2765 - 16/06/2026 14:47:22    2680186

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Replying To eoinog:  "No definitely not.
What's working is brilliant."
Hmmm.
Donegal lost to Down
Meath lost to Westmeath
Mayo lost to Roscommon
Tyrone lost to Armagh
Cavan lost to Monaghan
Derry lost to Monaghan
Louth lost to Dublin
All 7 carried onto the All Ireland series regardless. No knockout playoff jeopardy to keep them honest. Down getting a shot at someone in a knockout playoff would have been interesting.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9832 - 16/06/2026 15:27:30    2680193

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