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Football Championship 2026 - 4 Like(s)
Fed up hearing that the provincial championships are being made little of and overshadowed by All Ireland draw. First of all, any of the teams knocked out of their provincial championships would love to swap places with the current finalists. The finalists also get home advantage in 1st round. Even more important the winner of each provincial championship gets a trophy, can celebrate a big day with supporters and have it saved in their history.
Secondly, the All Ireland Series is a new competition as is the Tailteann Cup. People are saying that the first game has little meaning but this is also untrue. Winning the first match gives a huge advantage in that if you win the next match also, you will have a two week break before a q final. Losing the first match ensures a long hard road to final with only one more chance and only a weeks break before q final if you make it. I'd say lets see and give it a chance.
winatallcost (National) - 06/05/2026 18:22:51
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Westmeath Football thread - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Temple56: "I heard he rang one player before the Kildare game. The player has been flying for his club even scoring 1-12 in division 1 league game 2 weeks ago. The player declined the invite into the panel" Who is this? I'm not sure how any player wouldn't want to be involved with the final and with Cavan in the all Ireland series. I've been to nearly every game in the last 15 years and this is the best supported and momentum building I've seen Westmeath football!
Westmeath25 (National) - 06/05/2026 13:56:04
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Westmeath Football thread - 3 Like(s)
Heslin in TUS last night with squad very exciting seeing him kick around with team. Very brave by mchugh but with Luke gone correct call.
ear2ground (National) - 06/05/2026 15:01:46
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16 Team Hurling Championship - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Pikeman96: "Yes. I don't agree anyway with the notion that more games against higher-ranked sides will by itself bring up the standards of a team.
Antrim had 15 games in the Leinster Championship over 2023/24/25. They lost 11 of them, by a combined total of almost 200 points. Even when they sprang a surprise by beating Wexford two years ago (the "progress" that proponents of the notion would point to), their next two matches were a 23-point mauling at the hands of Dublin, followed by a 14-point defeat to Galway. And their three years of matches against higher-ranked sides are not exactly standing them in good stead at the moment either.
A better and expanded Joe McDonagh Cup is probably the way to go all right - i.e. maintain a realistic target and means for teams to be competitive at their own level, and if they do happen to improve over time through inward effort and investment, they'll eventually survive and become competitive at a higher level all right.
Wexford football would celebrate winning the Tailteann Cup and look forward to at least one year at Sam Maguire level, but wouldn't expect to be left in the Sam Maguire after that "just because". In soccer across the water, Coventry City will celebrate winning the Championship, but realistically, would probably settle right now for 17th in the Premier League next year." Wexford football would celebrate winning the Tailteann Cup and look forward to at least one year at Sam Maguire level, but wouldn't expect to be left in the Sam Maguire after that "just because". In soccer across the water, Coventry City will celebrate winning the Championship, but realistically, would probably settle right now for 17th in the Premier League next year
That's an excellent point and perfectly illustrates the fallacy at the heart of claims that the current system some how punches down on teams. People want to believe in the fairytale that 14 or 15 counties could contend for the All Ireland if they were left into the top level indefinitely, absolutely tanking the quality and entertainment of the liam Mccarthy in the process. We have the potential for gradual improvement atm - and most importantly you get rewarded for your improvement which is what makes the system excellent. Kildare yo-yoed between Christy ring and Joe Mcdonagh for a number if years and now they are in leinster. The next step for them is the hardest and rightly so.
Overdahill (National) - 06/05/2026 18:09:25
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Football Championship 2026 - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Scenicparish: "Why should they? The new system is designed to level the playing field for all teams in the AI series.
Some teams are getting a handy run in their own province and when it comes to the next stage they are much fresher and have a hugh advantage." Well yous will be very fresh so as yous have only played one game.Yous have q major advanrage over most teams so by your own thoughts.
brayballer (National) - 06/05/2026 18:24:49
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Donegal GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Newman21: "Sure if you're happy to settle for second best......
Speaking of second best the anniversary of your one and only appearance in the big final is coming up in 2030. Are there any events planned to mark the occasion?" Did it take you long to google that?
farneygael3 (National) - 06/05/2026 15:46:14
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Westmeath Football thread - 2 Like(s)
Hogan stand tickets secured for the final . Its going to be a huge occasion
mickcunningham (National) - 06/05/2026 15:28:46
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Westmeath Football thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To martyW: "Heslin back training with them since last week" Any truth to this? Be some boost if it's true
crispsandwich99 (National) - 06/05/2026 15:09:00
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Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Claretandblue: "Surely a bit of respect for a player who might feel he's jumping on the bandwagon at this stage? Three under 20s brought in recently which is great, not sure about bringing lads in now a week before a Leinster final? Lads training since November surely deserve their opposition first" There's about 24 lads left in squad fit to play, need more than that going into what's basically a new campaign now, even for training. There is no jumping on the bandwagon these are players who have already gave their all for Westmeath and lads performing well at club level currently who want to help out their county team
Lakeman93 (National) - 06/05/2026 19:42:58
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Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)
Replying To bloodandbandage: "Kerry v Cork this weekend in the Munster final and not a peep! For the first time in a long time, I'm looking forward to a Cork/Kerry match. I think this is a great opportunity for Cork, especially factoring in Kerry's injury list and the fact we finally got promoted this year. Confidence is high and I'm going to stick my neck out and predict a Cork win.
Interested to hear what others think." I happen to agree with you BandB and its no Yerra! Cork are very strong in the areas we struggling at mo.
Many dont show interest because they dont tate Munster but they cant see Cork and Kerry have been nip and tuck the last few years.People also seem to forget Cork have beaten both Mayo and Donegal in the championship the last couple of years.
I think this final is very hard to call and wont be surprised at any result.The sad thing for Cork is even if they do win you will have people saying Kerry did nt care.Kerry always care about a Munster final and especially v Cork.We hate losing to Cork.
No teams have met more often in the championship since the qualifiers came in in 2001 and Kerry and Cork have drawn 8 times since.
We might see another draw Sunday and extra time might decide it.
No disrespect to the other Munster counties but delighted to have a Munster final v Cork again.
CiarraiMick (National) - 07/05/2026 10:54:48
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Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To mickcunningham: "can someone enlighten me , is it true that football pundit and former county footballer john heslin is back training with the senior footballers im curious to know" Its 100% true Mick. Dessie Dolan and Larry Giles back in with them too.
Leftpeg1 (National) - 07/05/2026 10:51:40
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Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)
I won a game of snooker last week........ I didn't get any advantage in the All Ireland race but I really enjoyed winning it!
just saying:-)
Mayonman (National) - 07/05/2026 10:51:37
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Westmeath Hurling thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Temple56: "70% of footballers playing hurling? That seems way off where did that figure come from? I'd say it's closer to 30-35%.
Looking at the south Moate, Caulry, Maryland, Castledaly, Tang, Garrycastle, Athlone, and Tubberclair you're talking about roughly 300 adult footballers across these clubs with two or three teams each. I'd guess fewer than 5% of those 300 are also playing hurling.
I know it's different in the north, but even in Mullingar, if you look at Loman's and Shamrocks, maybe about a quarter of adult players are involved in hurling.
There are definitely areas with high crossover-80-90% in some cases-but in the two biggest towns, where the playing numbers are highest, it's overwhelmingly football. Take Kinnegad as another example how many there are actively hurling?
I get your point about the lack of top officers from hurling clubs on the board, but I don't think it's down to bias. It's more that we like to think of ourselves as a dual county, when in reality we're probably closer to 75% football. That said, we still manage to produce some excellent hurlers from a relatively small base, and over the past 15 years especially, they've often punched well above their weight at inter-county level." So by your own logic if the 70% football clubs in Westmeath suddenly decided to become true Irish patriots and facilitate our national sport. Westmeath could in all likelihood be competing for all Ireland's. You need to start changing your allegiance 125 years and 1 Leinster title or maybe 2 let's watch this space
Sloweddie (National) - 07/05/2026 09:06:10
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Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
can someone enlighten me , is it true that football pundit and former county footballer john heslin is back training with the senior footballers im curious to know
mickcunningham (National) - 07/05/2026 08:49:19
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Wexford Hurling Thread - 1 Like(s)
While we might not be in the best place its not as if we are playing a Kilkenny, Galway or Munster team.
We are at home v Dublin who could not beat Offaly away and beat Kildare at home by 11.
Both of those results have them evenly matched with ourselves on current championship. And all you can go on is current championship form.
Paull (National) - 07/05/2026 08:04:07
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Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
We need everyone we can get especially with Luke out. I think it would be a massive boost to have Heslin back. What a great option to come off the bench. No different to calling in some u20s , has been such a great servant to the county.
mul (National) - 06/05/2026 20:56:59
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Monaghan GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Blackcardnot: "I'm not in any way being dismissive of Armagh, they are a tight, tight unit but the weight of expectation on them now is massive. Think it would have been better for Armagh if K McG hadn't put his whole arsenal on display. Mental fortitude is needed going into your 4th Ulster final with no medals to show for it and I think Armaghs game against Down should have been managed better on Sunday, so much pressure on Armagh now." Totally disagree. Armagh have won the biggest prize of all and im sure they have enough to deal with the expectation of an Ulster final. The most important medal to count is the celtic cross. You could look at this game and even say it doesn't matter in the slightest as the most important competition begins next weekend as well. Armagh will of course want to win but it's not a season decider. Agree with others we will need to curtail there running game and be aggressive.
222 (National) - 06/05/2026 20:47:39
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Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Lakeman93: "There's about 24 lads left in squad fit to play, need more than that going into what's basically a new campaign now, even for training. There is no jumping on the bandwagon these are players who have already gave their all for Westmeath and lads performing well at club level currently who want to help out their county team" Darragh O Keefe, Dillon Matthews. TJ Cox. Liam Daly, Eoghan Hogan all panel members who couldn't tog out last Sunday due to panel limited to 1-26.
Claretandblue (National) - 06/05/2026 20:31:48
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Football Format Changes Discussion - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Commodore: "Scrap the National League, and convert the Provincial Championships into a Provincial league format, with Finals?
The top 4 from each Province progress to the All Ireland series (16 teams).
-- The Provincial winners getting Automatic All Ireland Quarter final places.
-- The 3rd and 4th place go into All Ireland knockout round 1, play other losing 3rd and 4th placed teams.
-- The Provincial runner up plays a winner of round 1 in the 2nd round, with 2nd round winner through to All Ireland Quarter final.
Anyone who doesn't make the All ireland series, is automatically in the Tailteann cup, with the exception of the bottom 2 in each Province, who maybe go into a 3rd tier Championship." This is not good.
One of the key themes is that the Provincials are imbalanced. Why would we want them at the heart of the championship.
Get the National championship format right first. Nationally organised.
See if Provincial champions can be accommodated.
Everything else should be secondary.
Whammo86 (National) - 06/05/2026 14:02:40
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Kerry GAA Thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To CiarraiMick: "The town is choc a block with good standard b and b s also.Hope you all get sorted lads." Cheers! Might be time to put my good friend Claude to work to find me a reasonably priced B&B.
Lockjaw (National) - 06/05/2026 14:07:36
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