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National Football League 2026

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Replying To Curlew66:  "Derry are much improved this year . Cork can be inconsistent and don't always play well away from home."
Cork always have this type of performance in their locker. I was not confident that we'd get a result yesterday owing to some of the first team players missing, but at the same time, this was a complete capitulation. As soon as Derry got ahead, Cork seemed to throw in the towel. Kildare at home next, which should give us a chance to get going again, but the damage in terms of points difference could seriously come back to haunt us.

bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 468 - 02/03/2026 10:10:47    2659425

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Replying To RoyalBadger:  "What happened to Cork today?"
It's a good question. Cork were on 6 game winning run in the league including beating your own Meath last week.

Derry not so long ago hadn't won a league or championship game for a year, goes to show once they got back winning again the confidence was back and should be promoted back to Division 1 now.

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)

The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 4283 - 02/03/2026 11:19:08    2659447

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "That match just shows the difference in standard between Ulster and Munster. Another handy run to the knockout stages for the Kingdom this year...."
Correct. That was proved last year when the Kerry yerras destroyed Donegal.

brayballer (Wicklow) - Posts: 517 - 02/03/2026 12:02:47    2659459

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "That match just shows the difference in standard between Ulster and Munster. Another handy run to the knockout stages for the Kingdom this year...."
Michael Murphy said himself the provincial championships are a dip after the league. No qualms about that.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9502 - 02/03/2026 12:05:25    2659461

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Replying To The_analyser:  "It's a good question. Cork were on 6 game winning run in the league including beating your own Meath last week.

Derry not so long ago hadn't won a league or championship game for a year, goes to show once they got back winning again the confidence was back and should be promoted back to Division 1 now.

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)"
Derry are a division 1 outfit imo, when they put their mind to it in recent seasons. Cork are not, and haven't been for some years now.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4591 - 02/03/2026 12:07:48    2659462

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "Derry are a division 1 outfit imo, when they put their mind to it in recent seasons. Cork are not, and haven't been for some years now."
Yeah Derry at full strength could potentially beat any team in the Country, After winning the 2024 Division 1 title, they lost to Donegal in Ulster and then seemed to nosedive shortly afterwards and just never recovered. This was more due to discontent with management rather than lack of talent or lack of depth.

They are a team to watch, if they keep rolling like this, they will be hard to beat.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1636 - 02/03/2026 13:05:40    2659481

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A few big results last weekend
Roscommon got ahead of themselves and its looking like a Kerry v Donegal Div 1 final
Cork calved also so now a certain Meath v Derry in Div 2

Westmeath also messed up so likely Down v Clare in Div 3

Wicklow and Carlow baulked last week, so now a Carlow v Longford Div 4 final

Relegation for Armagh & Monaghan,
Cavan & Offaly,
Limerick & Fermanagh

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1701 - 02/03/2026 13:41:04    2659495

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Replying To brayballer:  "Correct. That was proved last year when the Kerry yerras destroyed Donegal."
Bad result for ye against Antrim on Saturday. Ah well another year in Division 4 will help ye..

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 866 - 02/03/2026 13:49:48    2659500

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "A few big results last weekend
Roscommon got ahead of themselves and its looking like a Kerry v Donegal Div 1 final
Cork calved also so now a certain Meath v Derry in Div 2

Westmeath also messed up so likely Down v Clare in Div 3

Wicklow and Carlow baulked last week, so now a Carlow v Longford Div 4 final

Relegation for Armagh & Monaghan,
Cavan & Offaly,
Limerick & Fermanagh"
I think it will be a Donegal v Mayo league final. Mayo have a chance against Kerry on Sunday 15th but even if they don't I think Mayo will beat Roscommon and Armagh will beat Kerry on Sunday 22nd.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 866 - 02/03/2026 15:44:28    2659541

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The league is a great competition and great for blooding young players.Donegal are looming great and Mayo doing well too.What a pleasure to see the skills of Kobe McDonald.McRoarty of Donegal getting better by game and that young fella Murphy not to bad either.
The Rossies were flying until the Dubs got a bot of their mojo back.Bugler is a top notch player.
Monaghan have struggled and are all but gone unless they win last two gamea and Galway land Armagh lose last two games.
If Monaghan beat Galway then they have Donegal last and they probably will have final spot secured then and might rest players.However Im probably clutching at straws for Monaghan.
Galway are blowing hot and cold at mo and Kerry sauntering along.It looks like Donegal v Mayo or Kerry final but f course all bar Monaghan or Armagh could make final.
Div 2 has been crazy.Meath beat Derry.Cork beat Meath and Derry destroy Cork.Tyrone limping at mo and they have savage talent.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4114 - 02/03/2026 17:41:20    2659588

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "A few big results last weekend
Roscommon got ahead of themselves and its looking like a Kerry v Donegal Div 1 final
Cork calved also so now a certain Meath v Derry in Div 2

Westmeath also messed up so likely Down v Clare in Div 3

Wicklow and Carlow baulked last week, so now a Carlow v Longford Div 4 final

Relegation for Armagh & Monaghan,
Cavan & Offaly,
Limerick & Fermanagh"
I think it was you more than Roscommon who got ahead of themselves with your prediction for Roscommon reaching the final.

Afraid to tip your own Mayo to reach the final is mildly humorous. I agree on the Meath v Derry final.

Westmeath messed up but still in with a shout of getting promoted. Same for Wicklow

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3860 - 02/03/2026 17:56:53    2659591

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I think the league has been good and the it gives us a flavour of what is to come in the Summer, Kerry are still the Favs to retain Sam imo but there are a lot of teams in the chasing group in with a big shout when you see what they are capable off through the league and what strength they have to come back in still.
Take the likes of Derry, Galway, Mayo with Kobe and some other young forwards added, Roscommon going well.
Armagh are getting things nearly right and will come good for Championship no doubt, Tyrone also when they get their ducks in a row another outfit capable of beating anyone and will fear no one. I'm probably leaving someone out.
Of course Donegal topping the league so far and unbeaten this year, big chance too for Sam if all goes well for us.
Then you have teams like Meath and Louth and of course the Dubs in Leinster, with the new rules I think we can look forward to an exciting Summer of football ahead, of course we have the leagues still to play out, the promotion/relegation battles will be interesting to see how that all goes.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3726 - 02/03/2026 19:57:03    2659607

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "That match just shows the difference in standard between Ulster and Munster. Another handy run to the knockout stages for the Kingdom this year...."
Need to distinguish between standard of competition and excellence. Ulster is a most competitive province with four different winners in the 2020s alone and that doesn't include Armagh (winners of the '24 All Ireland title).
Kerry have almost total domination in Munster with Cork being a distant second. Kerry have won 20 Munster titles since 2000 and haven't lost to another county bar Cork since 1992. Huge credit to the Kingdom for consistently maintaining an excellent standard despite not being frequently tested in Munster. Some argue they emerge fresh from their province and can train to peak in the AI series against battle hardened but more weary opposition.
In some ways Kerry (39) and Dublin's (31) dominance leaves many of the rest feeding on crumbs and keeps the provincial championship relevant. Recall the celebrations associated with provincial football titles being won by Clare, Tipperary, Sligo, Leitrim, Kildare, Laois, Westmeath and Louth …none of them went on to win the AI , Kildare being the only county of the eight to reach the final. Who wouldn't begrudge Antrim/Fermanagh or Carlow/ Longford winning a provincial title.

Curlew66 (Roscommon) - Posts: 652 - 02/03/2026 21:43:09    2659633

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "I think it will be a Donegal v Mayo league final. Mayo have a chance against Kerry on Sunday 15th but even if they don't I think Mayo will beat Roscommon and Armagh will beat Kerry on Sunday 22nd."
Why cant kerry get to final somegal fwlla write off kerry rich of course mayo going well but kerry coasting nad if want when could also beat armagh and maryo

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 1212 - 02/03/2026 22:56:29    2659643

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While Division 2 is where it is at for All Ireland qualification and promotion to Division 1, it is hard to gauge where counties are at for an All Ireland tilt. '23 and '24 All Ireland winners came from Division 2 so they cannot be dismissed. Derry seem to have regrouped but is that the benefit of D2.. Would they be in a similar position to Monaghan if they were in D1..

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9502 - 03/03/2026 07:21:59    2659650

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Replying To legendzxix:  "While Division 2 is where it is at for All Ireland qualification and promotion to Division 1, it is hard to gauge where counties are at for an All Ireland tilt. '23 and '24 All Ireland winners came from Division 2 so they cannot be dismissed. Derry seem to have regrouped but is that the benefit of D2.. Would they be in a similar position to Monaghan if they were in D1.."
I think what's motivating Derry in 2026 is their soft draw in the Ulster championship. They've remarkably avoided all the 'top seeds', and should make the final, which gives them a better opportunity than usual of getting an extended championship run. Nothing like a soft championship draw to boost morale for sides playing in the toughest of the four championships.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4591 - 03/03/2026 10:11:21    2659680

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Replying To Gaa_lover:  "I think it was you more than Roscommon who got ahead of themselves with your prediction for Roscommon reaching the final.

Afraid to tip your own Mayo to reach the final is mildly humorous. I agree on the Meath v Derry final.

Westmeath messed up but still in with a shout of getting promoted. Same for Wicklow"
I expect to see Kerry at full strength V Mayo in Tralee

They are doing what they always do - start slow and end up in a league final
They have been in the top 2 in 6 of the last 10 years

when they win the final, they win the All Ireland. With Munster being so bad, they need a league final to test themselves as they have no decent match until the knock out stages now.

Mayo have to play Roscommon and Galway in Connacht - they dont need a league final

Donegal and Derry have avoided Tyrone/Armagh/Monaghan/Cavan in Ulster qfinals - so keen enough to get a league final in along the way.

Westmeath have a tough Leinster championship - so league final isn't a priority - Clare need a league final to get a decent game before their annual walloping by Kerry. They are focusing on league and the Tailteann cup. Were very unlucky the last 2 years not to get promoted.

Carlow and Wicklow are facing each other on 12th April - they will not be chasing a league title 2 weeks before that.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1701 - 03/03/2026 10:51:26    2659689

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "I think what's motivating Derry in 2026 is their soft draw in the Ulster championship. They've remarkably avoided all the 'top seeds', and should make the final, which gives them a better opportunity than usual of getting an extended championship run. Nothing like a soft championship draw to boost morale for sides playing in the toughest of the four championships."
Definitely things seem to to be falling in to place for Derry and they look destined for a place in the Ulster final which would give them a great advantage going in to the All Ireland series.However how many times have Monaghan been written off.They will be much better in the championship than they are now and should they get over Cavan who knows.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1232 - 03/03/2026 11:15:44    2659701

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "I expect to see Kerry at full strength V Mayo in Tralee

They are doing what they always do - start slow and end up in a league final
They have been in the top 2 in 6 of the last 10 years

when they win the final, they win the All Ireland. With Munster being so bad, they need a league final to test themselves as they have no decent match until the knock out stages now.

Mayo have to play Roscommon and Galway in Connacht - they dont need a league final

Donegal and Derry have avoided Tyrone/Armagh/Monaghan/Cavan in Ulster qfinals - so keen enough to get a league final in along the way.

Westmeath have a tough Leinster championship - so league final isn't a priority - Clare need a league final to get a decent game before their annual walloping by Kerry. They are focusing on league and the Tailteann cup. Were very unlucky the last 2 years not to get promoted.

Carlow and Wicklow are facing each other on 12th April - they will not be chasing a league title 2 weeks before that."
Kerry can't go full strength due to injuries and have to bed others into the side. As Lee Keegan said on Sunday "Mayo have a great record in Tralee"

I don't buy the excuse that Mayo don't need a league final. New manager with the opportunity to win a national title in Croke Park. The final is on the last weekend of March and it will be a full month after that before you play Roscommon in the Connnacht semi-finals so without doubt Mayo management and players will be going all out to reach the final. If you don't reach it, then you were simply not good enough to do so.

Westmeath getting to a Division 3 final and winning it would guarantee a place in the Sam Maguire competition

2 weeks prep time is more than enough time for Carlow,Wicklow

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3860 - 03/03/2026 12:48:24    2659737

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "I expect to see Kerry at full strength V Mayo in Tralee

They are doing what they always do - start slow and end up in a league final
They have been in the top 2 in 6 of the last 10 years

when they win the final, they win the All Ireland. With Munster being so bad, they need a league final to test themselves as they have no decent match until the knock out stages now.

Mayo have to play Roscommon and Galway in Connacht - they dont need a league final

Donegal and Derry have avoided Tyrone/Armagh/Monaghan/Cavan in Ulster qfinals - so keen enough to get a league final in along the way.

Westmeath have a tough Leinster championship - so league final isn't a priority - Clare need a league final to get a decent game before their annual walloping by Kerry. They are focusing on league and the Tailteann cup. Were very unlucky the last 2 years not to get promoted.

Carlow and Wicklow are facing each other on 12th April - they will not be chasing a league title 2 weeks before that."
Why would Mayo not need a League Final? Would it not be great preparations for the Championship and great for the young players on the panel? I expect a great match in Tralee on Sunday week.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 866 - 03/03/2026 13:53:43    2659759

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