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Football Provincial Championships 2025

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Replying To Proudroyal:  "Never mind about flares been a criminal offence.Have you seen the footage of 2 Louth men in their late 40s hitting a Meath woman on the Cusack stand and kids in the middle of it bawling and nothing been said about that.Disgusting behaviour.They should be locked up and banned for life."
THAT an alleged assault is not on and should be dealt with, as for the flares come on lads its the least of the bad things and it makes any sporting occasion what it is, ease that overzealous thinking of yours as I see sour grapes here.

francie81 (Louth) - Posts: 240 - 14/05/2025 10:42:50    2609482

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "A close game under the old rules was generally 1-11 to 0-15 type of thing, with 10 minutes of messing at the end as one team tried to slow the others come back.
Have you not noticed that all that messing is gone from the games now? Hence the excitement right up to the end."
Was plenty of higher scoring close games also under the old rules. On Sunday in Croke Park. Louth restricted Meath to one score in the final 23 minutes. Meath barely got their hands on the ball in the final five mins of action as Louth kept possession until the hooter sounded.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3653 - 14/05/2025 11:22:05    2609497

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Replying To DundalkGael:  "I have seen the row on Hill 16, which was bad but was just young ones drunk and or out of their head on cocaine
I havnt seen anything about a row in Cusak Stand, in sure you can point us in a direction where we can view this video as if true I'm sure most people can identify the 2 men, Louths not a big place"
It was sent to me by video message but I'm sure it's on WhatsApp or Facebook.Its right near the end of the match literally 30 /40 seconds to go as you can hear the hooter go off just after they stop fighting.Ive heard they got one of them so hopefully they will be dealt with.Ive seen the one on the Hill alright (no need for that either)but this one has kids and women in it shocking stuff.

Proudroyal (Meath) - Posts: 371 - 14/05/2025 11:35:00    2609504

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Replying To francie81:  "THAT an alleged assault is not on and should be dealt with, as for the flares come on lads its the least of the bad things and it makes any sporting occasion what it is, ease that overzealous thinking of yours as I see sour grapes here."
Oh it happened Francie,nothing alleged about it and fair play you're right it should and hopefully will be dealt with.On the flares I think they do add atmosphere and if just held there don't see the harm (as long as you dont mind smoke in your eyes and far enough away from sparks)but was on the hill and both sets of fans were thrown them which is dangerous and not on.Most of them were smoke bombs but thankfully I was away from all that.Also well done on your win and enjoy.

Proudroyal (Meath) - Posts: 371 - 14/05/2025 11:45:03    2609507

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Replying To Proudroyal:  "Oh it happened Francie,nothing alleged about it and fair play you're right it should and hopefully will be dealt with.On the flares I think they do add atmosphere and if just held there don't see the harm (as long as you dont mind smoke in your eyes and far enough away from sparks)but was on the hill and both sets of fans were thrown them which is dangerous and not on.Most of them were smoke bombs but thankfully I was away from all that.Also well done on your win and enjoy."
That really should be followed up and kids seeing this such shameless carry on and the culprits involved probably blow in's, the GAA need to have zero tolerance in this day and age because hooliganism has never being part of our game. Yeah I just think the flares are a great job that's just me probably because I have that ultra mindset about me but of course it's not without it's dangers falling into the wrong hands. As I was making my way to the match with my boys I bumped into a vocal group of Meath boys with a banner of that dramatic moment from 2010, I had to explain to my boys what it was all about, it really just added to the excitement because they didn't appear to be trouble makers despite other opinions of them on the Hill, the day as a whole is what makes the GAA for what it is being the best game in the world. Thank you Royal, am just coming around now having being in the thick of the party even though I don't drink it really was the stuff of dreams for us. Best wishes to yourselves in the All-Ireland series no easy games here on in.

francie81 (Louth) - Posts: 240 - 14/05/2025 15:24:17    2609600

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Much was made of the situation Donegal found themselves in coming into the latter rounds of the N.L Push on and make the Division 1 final but by doing this there would be only one weeks break leading up to the preliminary round of the Ulster Championship match against Derry. Jim Mcguinness himself admitted that the situation was not ideal.

It is a situation that mainly effects Ulster teams but not exclusively. A solution in the Ulster Championship would be that when the draw is being made Division 1 teams of the upcoming season would be exempt from the Preliminary round .If that scenario was adopted it would have meant that Donegal Armagh Tyrone and Derry could not be drawn in the Preliminary round meaning that Donegal v Derry game this year could not have happened. Donegal would have had at least 2 weeks after the Division 1 final [if they had qualified] to prepare for an Ulster Q.F. Would things have played out differently in D1 if this exemption was in place? Possibly. Maybe Mayo relegated instead of Tyrone.

For the Ulster Championship draw this November[ for next season] the exempt teams would be the D1 teams- Donegal Armagh and Monaghan. So if any of these teams next season find themselves in the latter stages of D1 of being in with a chance of qualifying for the final then they can push on hard to do so knowing there is at least 2 weeks of a break up to the Ulster Q.F.

edu (Mayo) - Posts: 114 - 08/06/2025 17:41:05    2615809

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Replying To edu:  "Much was made of the situation Donegal found themselves in coming into the latter rounds of the N.L Push on and make the Division 1 final but by doing this there would be only one weeks break leading up to the preliminary round of the Ulster Championship match against Derry. Jim Mcguinness himself admitted that the situation was not ideal.

It is a situation that mainly effects Ulster teams but not exclusively. A solution in the Ulster Championship would be that when the draw is being made Division 1 teams of the upcoming season would be exempt from the Preliminary round .If that scenario was adopted it would have meant that Donegal Armagh Tyrone and Derry could not be drawn in the Preliminary round meaning that Donegal v Derry game this year could not have happened. Donegal would have had at least 2 weeks after the Division 1 final [if they had qualified
to prepare for an Ulster Q.F. Would things have played out differently in D1 if this exemption was in place? Possibly. Maybe Mayo relegated instead of Tyrone.

For the Ulster Championship draw this November[ for next season] the exempt teams would be the D1 teams- Donegal Armagh and Monaghan. So if any of these teams next season find themselves in the latter stages of D1 of being in with a chance of qualifying for the final then they can push on hard to do so knowing there is at least 2 weeks of a break up to the Ulster Q.F."]What about teams who play in Division 2, 3 and 4 Finals?

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 610 - 08/06/2025 17:45:04    2615811

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@edu (Mayo) - Posts: 110 - 08/06/2025

BUT - what about other Div Finals?
Say, in another year, Div 2 Final could be
Armagh v Monaghan

Maybe just have league two lowest-ranked in the PQF?

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3296 - 08/06/2025 17:53:47    2615819

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Replying To edu:  "Much was made of the situation Donegal found themselves in coming into the latter rounds of the N.L Push on and make the Division 1 final but by doing this there would be only one weeks break leading up to the preliminary round of the Ulster Championship match against Derry. Jim Mcguinness himself admitted that the situation was not ideal.

It is a situation that mainly effects Ulster teams but not exclusively. A solution in the Ulster Championship would be that when the draw is being made Division 1 teams of the upcoming season would be exempt from the Preliminary round .If that scenario was adopted it would have meant that Donegal Armagh Tyrone and Derry could not be drawn in the Preliminary round meaning that Donegal v Derry game this year could not have happened. Donegal would have had at least 2 weeks after the Division 1 final [if they had qualified
to prepare for an Ulster Q.F. Would things have played out differently in D1 if this exemption was in place? Possibly. Maybe Mayo relegated instead of Tyrone.

For the Ulster Championship draw this November[ for next season] the exempt teams would be the D1 teams- Donegal Armagh and Monaghan. So if any of these teams next season find themselves in the latter stages of D1 of being in with a chance of qualifying for the final then they can push on hard to do so knowing there is at least 2 weeks of a break up to the Ulster Q.F."]What about teams who play in Division 1, 2 and 3 Finals?

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 610 - 08/06/2025 18:28:20    2615831

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Replying To edu:  "Much was made of the situation Donegal found themselves in coming into the latter rounds of the N.L Push on and make the Division 1 final but by doing this there would be only one weeks break leading up to the preliminary round of the Ulster Championship match against Derry. Jim Mcguinness himself admitted that the situation was not ideal.

It is a situation that mainly effects Ulster teams but not exclusively. A solution in the Ulster Championship would be that when the draw is being made Division 1 teams of the upcoming season would be exempt from the Preliminary round .If that scenario was adopted it would have meant that Donegal Armagh Tyrone and Derry could not be drawn in the Preliminary round meaning that Donegal v Derry game this year could not have happened. Donegal would have had at least 2 weeks after the Division 1 final [if they had qualified
to prepare for an Ulster Q.F. Would things have played out differently in D1 if this exemption was in place? Possibly. Maybe Mayo relegated instead of Tyrone.

For the Ulster Championship draw this November[ for next season] the exempt teams would be the D1 teams- Donegal Armagh and Monaghan. So if any of these teams next season find themselves in the latter stages of D1 of being in with a chance of qualifying for the final then they can push on hard to do so knowing there is at least 2 weeks of a break up to the Ulster Q.F."]I think someone else may have posted this but what about the other divisions. It's hard to think tyrone won't get promoted next year an they'd be in the same boat if they were in the preliminary round. It would be even more pronounced as they could not pull up the handbrake when seeking promotion.
They just needed to find another week. With preseason comps gone they could have started the league a week early and had the all ireland club semis played before Christmas.
Donegal have played 13 of 18 weekends since they started the league and they are to get to a quarter it will be three weeks in a row. Not a bit wonder they used their squad a lot in the last few league games.
Next year it will be obviously be different but I'm not sure the new system is quite right.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 860 - 08/06/2025 18:41:26    2615840

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Replying To Ulsterchamps_32:  "
Replying To edu:  "Much was made of the situation Donegal found themselves in coming into the latter rounds of the N.L Push on and make the Division 1 final but by doing this there would be only one weeks break leading up to the preliminary round of the Ulster Championship match against Derry. Jim Mcguinness himself admitted that the situation was not ideal.

It is a situation that mainly effects Ulster teams but not exclusively. A solution in the Ulster Championship would be that when the draw is being made Division 1 teams of the upcoming season would be exempt from the Preliminary round .If that scenario was adopted it would have meant that Donegal Armagh Tyrone and Derry could not be drawn in the Preliminary round meaning that Donegal v Derry game this year could not have happened. Donegal would have had at least 2 weeks after the Division 1 final [if they had qualified
to prepare for an Ulster Q.F. Would things have played out differently in D1 if this exemption was in place? Possibly. Maybe Mayo relegated instead of Tyrone.

For the Ulster Championship draw this November[ for next season
the exempt teams would be the D1 teams- Donegal Armagh and Monaghan. So if any of these teams next season find themselves in the latter stages of D1 of being in with a chance of qualifying for the final then they can push on hard to do so knowing there is at least 2 weeks of a break up to the Ulster Q.F."]I think someone else may have posted this but what about the other divisions. It's hard to think tyrone won't get promoted next year an they'd be in the same boat if they were in the preliminary round. It would be even more pronounced as they could not pull up the handbrake when seeking promotion.
They just needed to find another week. With preseason comps gone they could have started the league a week early and had the all ireland club semis played before Christmas.
Donegal have played 13 of 18 weekends since they started the league and they are to get to a quarter it will be three weeks in a row. Not a bit wonder they used their squad a lot in the last few league games.
Next year it will be obviously be different but I'm not sure the new system is quite right."]Only included D1 as this is the only division where teams may ease off towards the latter rounds if relegation is avoided. In the lower divisions this is not an option as promotion is the objective and to achieve this means playing in a final. No lower division team is going to throw this away. In many ways promotion is more important to a lot of teams than any close upcoming Provincial Championship game.

It just is not a good look in the main division [D1] to have teams trying to avoid playing in the final[ real or not] and anything that helps in anyway to avoid this situation is welcome and having Ulster D1 teams not involved in the preliminary round does go some way to facilitate this.

edu (Mayo) - Posts: 114 - 08/06/2025 20:15:33    2615889

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Replying To edu:  "
Replying To Ulsterchamps_32:  "[quote=edu:  "Much was made of the situation Donegal found themselves in coming into the latter rounds of the N.L Push on and make the Division 1 final but by doing this there would be only one weeks break leading up to the preliminary round of the Ulster Championship match against Derry. Jim Mcguinness himself admitted that the situation was not ideal.

It is a situation that mainly effects Ulster teams but not exclusively. A solution in the Ulster Championship would be that when the draw is being made Division 1 teams of the upcoming season would be exempt from the Preliminary round .If that scenario was adopted it would have meant that Donegal Armagh Tyrone and Derry could not be drawn in the Preliminary round meaning that Donegal v Derry game this year could not have happened. Donegal would have had at least 2 weeks after the Division 1 final [if they had qualified
to prepare for an Ulster Q.F. Would things have played out differently in D1 if this exemption was in place? Possibly. Maybe Mayo relegated instead of Tyrone.

For the Ulster Championship draw this November[ for next season
the exempt teams would be the D1 teams- Donegal Armagh and Monaghan. So if any of these teams next season find themselves in the latter stages of D1 of being in with a chance of qualifying for the final then they can push on hard to do so knowing there is at least 2 weeks of a break up to the Ulster Q.F."]I think someone else may have posted this but what about the other divisions. It's hard to think tyrone won't get promoted next year an they'd be in the same boat if they were in the preliminary round. It would be even more pronounced as they could not pull up the handbrake when seeking promotion.
They just needed to find another week. With preseason comps gone they could have started the league a week early and had the all ireland club semis played before Christmas.
Donegal have played 13 of 18 weekends since they started the league and they are to get to a quarter it will be three weeks in a row. Not a bit wonder they used their squad a lot in the last few league games.
Next year it will be obviously be different but I'm not sure the new system is quite right."]Only included D1 as this is the only division where teams may ease off towards the latter rounds if relegation is avoided. In the lower divisions this is not an option as promotion is the objective and to achieve this means playing in a final. No lower division team is going to throw this away. In many ways promotion is more important to a lot of teams than any close upcoming Provincial Championship game.

It just is not a good look in the main division [D1] to have teams trying to avoid playing in the final[ real or not] and anything that helps in anyway to avoid this situation is welcome and having Ulster D1 teams not involved in the preliminary round does go some way to facilitate this."]Why should an Ulster Division 2 team be expected to play a championship game one week after a League Final? Just creating another anomaly, instead of solving a oriblem.

ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 610 - 08/06/2025 21:20:52    2615915

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@edu, that's a fair point on the other divisions, it just isn't that fair on the teams to have so little gap between league and championship. I guess they could just have top of the each division winning it and do away with the finals but the gaa and the sponsors want the finals.
Next year they will have more weeks to play with and hopefully nobody will be forced into considering holding back their league ambitions.

Ulsterchamps_32 (Donegal) - Posts: 860 - 08/06/2025 21:35:17    2615921

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The football provincial championship either has to be a full part of the main competition (determining entry to SAM etc) or be the starting point for the season.
The current situation doesn't work - as long as the Ulster and Munster championships are as they are - there will always be a lopsided entry to the all Ireland.
Now that the group stage is gone, there is a need to have more games early in the summer for all.
A team exiting the prelim round of the provincials, will have no game for 6 weeks and then two in a fortnight before the summer is over - all after playing 7 league matches in 10 weeks in Spring. It just doenst make sence.

The U20 championship (in all provinces) has shown that there is a way to run a provincial championship which will allow the teams in the province to develop.
Connacht - 2 groups
Group 1 - top team into final - 2nd to Semi final
Mayo, Roscommon, Galway
Group 2 - top team to semi final
Sligo, Leitrim, London

Leinster - 3 groups -
Group 1 - top 2 to semis
Meath, Dublin, Louth,
Group 2 - 1 to semi
Offaly, Kildare, Laois, Westmeath
Group 3 - 1 to semi
Wicklow, Longford, Carlow, Wexford

Munster - 2 groups
Group 1 - top team into final - 2nd to Semi final
Kerry, Cork, Clare
Group 2 - top team to semi final
Tipp, Waterford, Limerick

Ulster - 3 groups -
Group 1 - top 2 to semis
Donegal, Armagh, Tyrone,
Group 2 - 1 to semi
Derry, Monaghan, Cavan,
Group 3 - 1 to semi
Down, Fermanagh, Antrim

All counties then get 2 matches minimum - All provincial winners would have 3/4 matches - weakest counties would also get 3/4 matches instead of sitting idle for weeks before the All Ireland knock outs. Everyone would get a good number of games to prepare for the All Ireland series.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1445 - 09/06/2025 10:24:06    2616012

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