National Forum

Tailteann Cup 2026

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To legendzxix:  "A Fermanagh - Wicklow final would be a novel pairing for two counties without provincial honours.
Taking the semi finals out of the limelight is history repeating itself. Happened to the Ring and Rackard finals as well. It is surprising that D3 and D4 counties aren't lobbying for a return of the All Ireland qualifiers over 2 knockout rounds for the 7 league qualifier spots. The Tailteann Cup could always be played out after in straight knockout, with the winner still rewarded with an All Ireland spot.
Hope all going to Croke Park on Saturday enjoy the occasion anyways!"
Oh please, not this play off suggestion again. It is daft and would completely undermine the league, which has finally gained credibility and status as a competition. It would also fatally undermine the Tailteann Cup. You could have the scenario where Down beat Donegal (as they did a few weeks ago) in a play-off relegating Donegal, league champions, to the Tailteann Cup - utterly ridiculous. So that's a hat trick of damaged competitions with the Sam Maguire undermined as well.

CeachtPeile (Cavan) - Posts: 178 - 19/06/2026 12:48:49    2680587

Link

Replying To CeachtPeile:  "Oh please, not this play off suggestion again. It is daft and would completely undermine the league, which has finally gained credibility and status as a competition. It would also fatally undermine the Tailteann Cup. You could have the scenario where Down beat Donegal (as they did a few weeks ago) in a play-off relegating Donegal, league champions, to the Tailteann Cup - utterly ridiculous. So that's a hat trick of damaged competitions with the Sam Maguire undermined as well."
Interesting opinion. Tyrone were relegated from Division 1 last year while they were missing the Errigal Ciaran contingent. A county is going to miss out on All Ireland qualification through the league because some of their players were being rested after the All Ireland club series.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9854 - 19/06/2026 14:01:13    2680598

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "Interesting opinion. Tyrone were relegated from Division 1 last year while they were missing the Errigal Ciaran contingent. A county is going to miss out on All Ireland qualification through the league because some of their players were being rested after the All Ireland club series."
That is a matter for the respective county. Competition formats shouldn't be altered because of that. If a player doesnt make himself available for selection that is his right. Everyone else just gets on with it.
I would advocate that the Tailteann Cup goes back to the 4 groups of 4 format though. The luck of the draw has a much bigger impact at this level as counties dont have travelling support or big budgets. One home, one away, one neutral is fair to everyone and gives everyone one extra game in the summer.
That said, best of luck to everyone. Wicklow are back for a second year running so that will stand to them hopefully.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 582 - 19/06/2026 15:57:01    2680619

Link

Replying To Tadhg2020:  "That is a matter for the respective county. Competition formats shouldn't be altered because of that. If a player doesnt make himself available for selection that is his right. Everyone else just gets on with it.
I would advocate that the Tailteann Cup goes back to the 4 groups of 4 format though. The luck of the draw has a much bigger impact at this level as counties dont have travelling support or big budgets. One home, one away, one neutral is fair to everyone and gives everyone one extra game in the summer.
That said, best of luck to everyone. Wicklow are back for a second year running so that will stand to them hopefully."
How is it a matter for the respective county? There was a plan for All Ireland club championships to be completed in December. County players getting to All Ireland club finals are being flogged enough across all provinces.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9854 - 19/06/2026 19:07:41    2680634

Link

Poor show bringing Fermanagh v Down to Croke Park. Athletic Grounds in Armagh was the place.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2775 - 20/06/2026 15:03:58    2680713

Link

Replying To Saynothing:  "Poor show bringing Fermanagh v Down to Croke Park. Athletic Grounds in Armagh was the place."
I though it was the ambition of these teams to play in Croker? if it was played anywhere else there would be complains about the priority that the Tailteann gets. Even for supporters its always something special to watch your team play in Croker.

zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 2212 - 20/06/2026 15:27:05    2680717

Link

Replying To Saynothing:  "Poor show bringing Fermanagh v Down to Croke Park. Athletic Grounds in Armagh was the place."
Except for the fact that it was announced well in advance that the semi finals would be in Croke Park, as they have been since the competition started. Both teams / fans should be more than delighted to get a day out in Croke Park, god knows they're not there on a regular basis in fairness.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2101 - 20/06/2026 15:59:32    2680719

Link

Replying To Square_B:  "Except for the fact that it was announced well in advance that the semi finals would be in Croke Park, as they have been since the competition started. Both teams / fans should be more than delighted to get a day out in Croke Park, god knows they're not there on a regular basis in fairness."
We played Down there a few months back. And played Fermanagh there last year.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20014 - 20/06/2026 16:30:22    2680720

Link

Replying To zinny:  "I though it was the ambition of these teams to play in Croker? if it was played anywhere else there would be complains about the priority that the Tailteann gets. Even for supporters its always something special to watch your team play in Croker."
Only if theres a good crowd. Ive been there a few times the last couple of years to watch our Footballers and Hurlers and there was little or no atmosphere at all.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20014 - 20/06/2026 16:31:42    2680721

Link

Replying To Viking66:  "We played Down there a few months back. And played Fermanagh there last year."
And?

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2101 - 20/06/2026 16:52:41    2680724

Link

Replying To zinny:  "I though it was the ambition of these teams to play in Croker? if it was played anywhere else there would be complains about the priority that the Tailteann gets. Even for supporters its always something special to watch your team play in Croker."
Ambition to play in Croke Park? You have to earn the right first, I've been to minor and U20/21 finals outside Croke Park. Have they not earned their right? It would and still is a wrong for Tailteann Cup winners to get a pass to the All Ireland series. Imagine if Fermanagh had won it. Holy God.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2775 - 20/06/2026 17:12:56    2680728

Link

Replying To Saynothing:  "Ambition to play in Croke Park? You have to earn the right first, I've been to minor and U20/21 finals outside Croke Park. Have they not earned their right? It would and still is a wrong for Tailteann Cup winners to get a pass to the All Ireland series. Imagine if Fermanagh had won it. Holy God."
So where's the reward for winning the Tailteann Cup if you're not going to be promoted into the All Ireland series? You think players would be happy with that and that it would encourage active participation in the competition without that carrot of progression?

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2101 - 20/06/2026 17:34:49    2680729

Link

Caught the final quarter after the game in Killarney. Impressive win by Wicklow. I hear they were down by 8 at half time. D2 teams make an impression in the All Ireland. Been saying it that the top D4 teams likewise can make an impression in the Tailteann.
Hard luck to Fermanagh.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9854 - 20/06/2026 18:48:45    2680737

Link

Replying To Saynothing:  "Ambition to play in Croke Park? You have to earn the right first, I've been to minor and U20/21 finals outside Croke Park. Have they not earned their right? It would and still is a wrong for Tailteann Cup winners to get a pass to the All Ireland series. Imagine if Fermanagh had won it. Holy God."
Well done on your promotion to Division 1 by the way.

sponger (Wicklow) - Posts: 3023 - 20/06/2026 19:22:18    2680740

Link