Replying To legendzxix: "On the flip side it sets up provincial shocks. Division 3 counties who need to get to their final should be going all out. It's been a bit surprising that their hasn't been greater intensity from more Division 3 teams."
Do we want cheap Prov tie upsets by Div 3 teams, when the stronger counties are in 2nd gear? I don't.
I like my AILC because all teams play a mixed quality of opposition, encompassing Prov and non-Prov ties, in a regular season with reduced gaps between games.
Replying To legendzxix: "The 2A-2B format seemed to be a hit this year. Minor changes only are likely. The 2A winners in the Tailteann have home quarter finals. The format is fine. Just needs a buy in from the home supporters to get behind their counties."
My minor change recommendation would be:
- Draw Rd 1, along with Rd 2 (both inter-Prov) - Restrict Rd 2 further (all Rd 1 home teams play away) - Double winners (Rd 1 & 2) to AI QFs (0-8 teams) - Double losers eliminated (0-8 teams) - Single winners (Rd 1 or 2) to Rd 3 (0-16 teams) - QFs, SFs & F - Still 'winner-on-the-day' (except F)
Teams in Provincial Finals coming into the A.I series will generally have played 3 games [ranging from 2 to 4] whereas some non Provincial Finalists will have played just one. Generally the Provincial Finalists will have played 1-2 games more.
In order to address this imbalance and to get teams knocked out early back playing sooner the following adjustment is applied to the A.I series---
It could be worked with the current number of 16 teams but it works better with 17. This year that 17th team is Down. [Appropriate !]
The 8 Provincial Finalists bypass Round 1 and go directly to Round 2A. The 9 other teams enter at Round 1 .
ROUND 1 9 Qualifiers that did not reach Provincial Finals drawn in 3 groups of 3. One Home and one Away game each. Draw takes place after completion of Provincial Semi Finals. Two teams that exited Provincials earliest play in 1st game in each group. Two group winners with best record go to Round 3.[Either best record across the 2 group games or a better option is highest placed in N.F.L.] Other group winner and 3 second placed teams go to Round 2B.
ROUND 2A 4 Provincial Winners drawn at home to 4 Provincial Runners Up. 4 Winners to A.I. Q.F 4 Losers to Round 3
ROUND 2B One group Winner and 3 group runners up from Round 1 in two ties.
ROUND 3 4 Losers from Round 2A are drawn against two best group winners from Round 1 + two winners from Round 2B
QUARTER FINALS 4 Round 2A winners are drawn against Round 3 winners.
Now the Tailteann Cup is down a team to 15. So 5 groups of 3. Group winners to Q.F. Group Runners Up [+ New York] to P.Q.F.
How would it work based on this year- the 9 non Provincial Finalists are drawn into 3 groups and the final standings could turn out like indicated here. As indicated earlier the first game in each group would involve the 2 teams that exited their respective Provincial Championships. For example the 1st game in Group C would involve Tyrone[ exited April 12th] and Meath[exited April 19th].
ROUND 1 GROUP A ---- Donegal [1st] Louth[ 2nd] Cavan [ 3rd]
GROUP B ----Mayo [1st] Derry [2nd] Kildare [3rd]
GROUP C ---- Meath [1st] Tyrone [2nd] Down [3rd]
Now 2 Group winners qualify directly for Round 3 and the other Group winner + the 3 Runners go to Round 2B. Now using the N.F.L final standings to determine the 2 best Group Winners- To Round 3 ---- Donegal + Mayo To Round 2B--- Meath + Louth + Derry + Tyrone
ROUND 2A [Winners to Q.F.s Losers to Round 3] Kerry v Galway Roscommon v Monaghan Westmeath v Cork Armagh v Dublin
ROUND 2B [Winners to Round 3 Losers are out] Meath v Derry Louth v Tyrone
ROUND 3 [Winners to Q.F.s Losers are out] 4 Losers Round 2A V Donegal + Mayo + Meath / Derry + Louth / Tyrone
QUARTER FINALS Winners Round 2A V Winners Round 3
Overall there is a reduction of 1 game in comparison to this season.
edu (Mayo) - Posts: 139 - 25/07/2026 17:34:54
2687078
I accept being in the minority in favour of 2 qualifying rounds using league for seeding. With club players returning later during the league, just seems extreme to use it for direct qualification. There are understandable concerns about a big fish being knocked out in the qualifiers. Not to use a soccer example but like big clubs have been known to drop into the Europa League.
With underdogs fancying their chances, 2 knockout qualifying rounds would add more excitement.
QUALIFIER ROUND 1 - byes and seeding on league ranking, separate draw for home game. 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
QUALIFIER ROUND 2 - seeding on league ranking, separate draw for home game. Donegal v Wexford/Wicklow Mayo v Down/Fermanagh Meath v Offaly/Antrim Louth v Laois/Tipperary Derry v Sligo/London Tyrone/Longford v Clare/Leitrim Cavan/Limerick v Carlow/Waterford
TAILTEANN CUP - as all counties would have had two bites at All Ireland qualification, the Tailteann can be straight knockout. - 17 teams, including New York, in a straight knockout. - the two lowest Q1 losers could enter a preliminary round.
ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIP - This year's successful 2A-2B format.
I try to neutralise the Prov SFC imbalance, via a limited 3rd chance above:
Prov QFs: win or lose, go to next rd with back door (Last 32) Last 24: win Prov SF, Rd 1 or Rd 2 Last 14: win Prov F or Rd 3 Last 8: win Champs Playoff or Rd 4
There won't be any changes to the system for the foreseeable . A few tweaks maybe. The GAA World has seen a most exciting SFC with the fairytale (or horror!!) ending so it will be pats on the backs all round.