National Forum

Looking Forward To 2026

(Oldest Posts First)

I think there needs to be a more positive discussion looking forward to 2026. From the 2025 finalists perspective it is too early.
7 counties emerged from this year's league as All Ireland contenders. There are positive signs for more counties that maybe up to 10 can challenge next year.
Months of club championships to enjoy. 2026 will eventually roll around with plenty to look forward to.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9059 - 30/07/2025 12:34:21    2629250

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Replying To legendzxix:  "I think there needs to be a more positive discussion looking forward to 2026. From the 2025 finalists perspective it is too early.
7 counties emerged from this year's league as All Ireland contenders. There are positive signs for more counties that maybe up to 10 can challenge next year.
Months of club championships to enjoy. 2026 will eventually roll around with plenty to look forward to."
Enjoying the club championships so far myself. Were Tipp one of the 7 teams you had pegged as AI contenders at the end of the League? I don't think 10 counties will be in contention next year, much though I'd like there to be. Hurling or Football.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16736 - 30/07/2025 14:42:14    2629281

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Replying To Viking66:  "Enjoying the club championships so far myself. Were Tipp one of the 7 teams you had pegged as AI contenders at the end of the League? I don't think 10 counties will be in contention next year, much though I'd like there to be. Hurling or Football."
6 contenders in hurling? Wexford, Dublin and Waterford out to upset the apple cart?
Football had 7 contenders after the league this year. The next 7 or 8 then on their day were capable of causing upsets. I thought Down were going to knockout Galway.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9059 - 30/07/2025 15:06:19    2629292

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Replying To legendzxix:  "6 contenders in hurling? Wexford, Dublin and Waterford out to upset the apple cart?
Football had 7 contenders after the league this year. The next 7 or 8 then on their day were capable of causing upsets. I thought Down were going to knockout Galway."
Not sure that. Hard to see Galway being any better than Wexford or Dublin unless they find a few breakout players like Tipp did this year. Darragh McCarthy was only coming on as a late sub for their minor team 3 years ago. Obviously ourselves and Dublin might find some too. As I'm sure every other countys supporters are hoping for as well!
Thinking back to last year and who I was expecting to be competitive this year, or even earlier this year tbh, I'd have to be honest and say I didn't see Tipp or Dublin getting to an AISF, never mind one them winning the Final.
In that way the Football was way more predictable, the 8 QFs contained the 6 teams I was expecting to see there, and there was only 1 really surprising result at that stage, Meath beating Galway. I think by next year most teams will have a few more reliable 2 point kickers than they had this year also.
In terms of advance predictions, complete guesswork I know, Kerry will be the team to beat, with Tyrone, Armagh, Dublin, Galway and Donegal again making the QFs.
In hurling Cork and Limerick would still be the teams to beat, Clare will bounce back and Tipp won't be bad. Waterford, its hard to know. I honestly think Leinster is entirely unpredictable at this stage, whichever county can get and keep their key players fit will be there or thereabouts. Obviously if any of the counties can get 2 or 3 new players to burst on the scene in their early 20s that would be a massive boost for them also.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16736 - 30/07/2025 15:36:27    2629299

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Would dearly love to see Limerick win the Liam MacCarthy cup again. As a hurling fan, it would be great to see Waterford, Wexford, Dublin etc win a provincial title or better.

In football, tweaking the rules and making the game even more entertaining would be progress. 2025 did a lot for Gaelic football.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6526 - 30/07/2025 16:34:09    2629323

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