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Football Championship 2026

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If I was Jack o Connor I wouldnt be one bit worried. Donegal beat them by 10 points in league final on Sunday and Kerry beat Donegal in AI final by ten points last July. Its easy to see who is the most wounded, humiliated and why. At least Kerry made some sort of a revival on Sunday and also missing several key players. You could see some order being restored as soon as Paul Geaney scored a 2 pointer within minutes of coming on. But the one Donegal really wanted playing was Paudie Clifford. Whether by choice by Kerry mgmt or injury Donegal wanted him playing. Let's move to the gruelling Ulster championship ahead of Donegal with an Armagh team awaiting in the semi..Thats the Ulster final right there. Kerry have the luxury of Munster even though Cork have improved and tgey will get an easier draw in AI series. The intensity Donegal brought on Sunday was high but made look better by a tired side who played guess who the week before..Armagh!! I think McGuiness ploy to win Ulster this year and an AI is a step too far especially after winning the league..I dont necessarily blame him for going for everything but I just feel that fatigue will catch up with them..You seen Murphy last July he was off pace on the day that mattered most.. Its definitely time that he comes on as impact sub, keep him fresh, injury free and keep him effective.. Id love to see Donegal winning the AI especially for Ryan McHugh one of the most underrated players ever and of of Donegals best ever. To finish ..if I were a Kerry player id be basking in the Portigul sun instead of rainy Sligo....on 2nd thoughts after Sunday id say it'll ve more like Alcatraz!!

Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 57 - 01/04/2026 11:55:20    2664241

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I can see Meath winning Leinster, Ulster is open as always, you could make a case for 3 or 4 teams with a big chance, Kerry will walk through Munster without breaking much of a sweat, Connacht probably Mayo will end Galway's dominance if they mange to beat the Rossies.

Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3805 - 01/04/2026 11:57:42    2664243

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Replying To S1234:  "Ye honestly think ye will win AI haha would not write kerry off . Jack is a cute hoor."
No one is writing Kerry off? They are still the team to beat especially now with the way they lost on Sunday.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 892 - 01/04/2026 12:07:17    2664245

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "Donegal will çertainly be trying to win 3 in a row in Ulster a feat Donegal never done before.
Winning Ulster also gives them a better draw later on."
Yeah, this is also important. It's probably more advantageous to be in a provincial final this year than in previous years. If we get over Down, Armagh (who you'd have to fancy to come through) will be absolutely gunning for us and there's never much between the sides so it would be a real tough battle.

WeGoAgain (Donegal) - Posts: 161 - 01/04/2026 12:15:27    2664247

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Replying To Seanfan:  "With a lot of younger lads not as conditioned as 'old dogs" and Diarmuid, Daire and Enda not getting as much space as Championship games hot up we might find it tough this year."
Whatever about winning Ulster for Donegal getting to the final will be crucial.Not getting to the final could result in an away trip to Kerry,Galway or Cork.With the provincial draws this year those 3 teams are almost 100% guaranteed a home game in the first All Ireland game.Meath should also have a straight forward run to the Leinster final.Being in provincial finals is very important but winning them doesn't really matter from an All Ireland point of view.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1244 - 01/04/2026 12:26:50    2664248

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Replying To Dothesimplethingswell:  "If I was Jack o Connor I wouldnt be one bit worried. Donegal beat them by 10 points in league final on Sunday and Kerry beat Donegal in AI final by ten points last July. Its easy to see who is the most wounded, humiliated and why. At least Kerry made some sort of a revival on Sunday and also missing several key players. You could see some order being restored as soon as Paul Geaney scored a 2 pointer within minutes of coming on. But the one Donegal really wanted playing was Paudie Clifford. Whether by choice by Kerry mgmt or injury Donegal wanted him playing. Let's move to the gruelling Ulster championship ahead of Donegal with an Armagh team awaiting in the semi..Thats the Ulster final right there. Kerry have the luxury of Munster even though Cork have improved and tgey will get an easier draw in AI series. The intensity Donegal brought on Sunday was high but made look better by a tired side who played guess who the week before..Armagh!! I think McGuiness ploy to win Ulster this year and an AI is a step too far especially after winning the league..I dont necessarily blame him for going for everything but I just feel that fatigue will catch up with them..You seen Murphy last July he was off pace on the day that mattered most.. Its definitely time that he comes on as impact sub, keep him fresh, injury free and keep him effective.. Id love to see Donegal winning the AI especially for Ryan McHugh one of the most underrated players ever and of of Donegals best ever. To finish ..if I were a Kerry player id be basking in the Portigul sun instead of rainy Sligo....on 2nd thoughts after Sunday id say it'll ve more like Alcatraz!!"
The league final was way more one sided than the All Ireland to be fair. Donegal got it back to 4 mid way through the 2nd half of the All Ireland, still well beat but not the beating Kerry got Sunday.
I agree that Kerry are still the team to stop come June and July but I'm happy too see the Kerry boys in the media brushing over this one. If they were talking Donegal up and Kerry down I'd be more worried.
Kerry's dismissive, slightly arrogabt attitude to the result will give Mcguiness plenty of ammo to fuel the fire.

JimB1991 (Donegal) - Posts: 140 - 01/04/2026 12:40:45    2664250

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