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Replying To gaa.88: "Good post WanPintWin. As a Kerryman I will admit that of course Kerry have a huge advantage in the intermediate and junior grades. However our system in Kerry works very well. Croke park ordered a few years back that the county championship has to be limited to 16 teams. Becuase in Kerry we have divisional teams ( an amalgamation of smaller clubs) that play in the county championship then we could only have 8 senior teams and 8 divisional teams. Of course then that means the 9th best club team in Kerry are intermediate and if they win that championship it gives them a big advantage in the All Ireland run. We in Kerry think having the divisional teams are brilliant ( altho if they win they cant represent the county as they are a few clubs amalgamated). Divisonal teams gives every player a chance to play senior county championship football no matter what grade their club is . If a player is good enough from a weak club they can play with a divisional team. In fact both the Cliffords would have never been able to play county championship football only for the divisional team as their club Fossa is not senior. Now this year the diviosional teams are decreasing so we have 9 senior club teams and next year I believe Kerry will have 10 senior club teams and 6 divisional teams. This still gives us an advantage but cuts it down a little as it will be our 11th best team representing Kerry at intermediate instead of 9. Our system is used for the betterment of Kerry football and we think its a great system for players in Kerry but yes it is advantagous to Kerry clubs representing the county." Lots of talk about counties different league and championship systems. On Sunday Kerry's system didn't win it for their teams in the two finals. Clogher missed too many chances and Glenullin didn't play attacking football. Kerry can't be blamed for that. Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2538 - 13/01/2026 13:39:48 2650932 Link
Replying To Saynothing: "Lots of talk about counties different league and championship systems. On Sunday Kerry's system didn't win it for their teams in the two finals. Clogher missed too many chances and Glenullin didn't play attacking football. Kerry can't be blamed for that." On the individual games, I agree completely. I've already made my thoughts clear on Glenullin's tactics, which were very poor in my opinion. On a general point, Kerry teams have an advantage in the provincial and All-Ireland junior and intermediate championships. It doesn't mean they're unbeatable, but does make it harder for clubs from other counties. Plenty clubs like Galway's Oughterard when they beat Templenoe in 2020, have beaten the Kerry representatives against the odds. I think Templenoe were 1/7 for that game with the bookies. They had 4 Kerry county panelists at the time, which for an intermediate club was amazing. It is what it is. Kerry aren't to blame for it. It should be acknowledged but there's no point griping about it. Kerry should always do what's best for them. WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2708 - 13/01/2026 14:17:33 2650937 Link
Replying To gaa.88: "Correct.Croke park has a different surface to every other gaa pitch and the ball bounces differently too off the surface.Players playing there for the first time will tell you its completely different. While Croke park is not the biggest dimension wise it is still fairly big with 145m x 88m with the largest being 145m x 90m. Semple stadium is 145m x 80m." We have used the same playing surface on Hyde Park as been used in Croke Park and I'm sure we aren't alone in doing that. Sand and top layer rolled out grass imported from Wexford I think. The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 4241 - 13/01/2026 14:59:46 2650943 Link
Replying To WanPintWin: "People always go on about the dimensions of Croke Park when talking about how it plays big. It's actually to do with the surface. It plays faster than any pitch in the country, as the surface is immaculate. The ball bounces much faster off the ground and players can use the space much more effectively. Unlike a pitch with a softer and thicker surface, Croke Park is not a defender's friend." I think what I was trying to allude to was that for club final players and intermediate & junior especially, its usually their first (and often only) time playing there and add in what you said about the pitch and the bounce its far from ideal for players on final day. I think the whole atmosphere is swallowed up and largely void in the expanse of the whole stadium. Im basing this on my observations of recent finals (in croke park) and then on the provincial finals and AI semi finals in county grounds and the close & quality games we got there. There are two club teams from Derry & Tyrone that had absolutely nightmare experiences this weekend and nobody wants to see that. I dont think itd happen or be nearly as bad in any other stadium. Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 46 - 13/01/2026 22:14:27 2650974 Link
Replying To legendzxix: "Sorry but your comment is completely out of touch. All clubs want to be in Croke Park. Not much else to be said. It has to be said." Thank you Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 46 - 14/01/2026 00:56:24 2650980 Link
Replying To Saynothing: "Lots of talk about counties different league and championship systems. On Sunday Kerry's system didn't win it for their teams in the two finals. Clogher missed too many chances and Glenullin didn't play attacking football. Kerry can't be blamed for that." However the point is Glenullin are probably outside the top 12 club teams in Derry and Dingle are in top 8 in Kerry, if Dingle had to play a top 8 Derry team in the final and similar a top 8 team from the other counties along the way in the Munster club championship and in the All Ireland semi would it be more difficult for Dingle to win the title, very much so I'd say. sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 1039 - 14/01/2026 09:00:12 2650986 Link
It is a matter for all counties to assess if they have too many senior clubs. The choice for Kerry really is 10 or 12. The plan is 10 senior clubs and 6 district clubs. The original plan was 8 district clubs being guaranteed a second game, resulting in 6 qualified. 2 district clubs then merged meaning 7 district clubs playing for 5 spots. 1 district club isn't guaranteed a second game. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9359 - 14/01/2026 13:47:26 2651037 Link
Replying To legendzxix: "It is a matter for all counties to assess if they have too many senior clubs. The choice for Kerry really is 10 or 12. The plan is 10 senior clubs and 6 district clubs. The original plan was 8 district clubs being guaranteed a second game, resulting in 6 qualified. 2 district clubs then merged meaning 7 district clubs playing for 5 spots. 1 district club isn't guaranteed a second game." Offaly have 8 SF Clubs. Laois have 16. Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 311 - 14/01/2026 14:39:38 2651049 Link
We've been treated to great club and county championships since the beginning of August. Brigids have the respect of the country and rightly so. No qualms about them being favourites going into Sunday. Dingle have been impressive since the county quarter finals. There's only so many times you can fall behind and turn it around. I don't think they can afford to fall behind on Sunday. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9359 - 16/01/2026 08:51:32 2651265 Link
Football delivered a thrilling final. Full of drama. A phantom 45 for Brigids but then an incredible two pointer to send the final into extra time. Brave scores by Dingle to win at the end of extra time. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9359 - 18/01/2026 18:11:56 2651653 Link
Dingle a bit more direct today. A lot of hand passing from St Brigids. That said blatant fouling and 3 man tackles by Kerry backs went unpunished. galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2713 - 18/01/2026 18:36:47 2651664 Link
That's some year for Kerry football. Well done to Dingle and I've no doubt Brigids will be back heartbreaking as it is. Ros2013 (Roscommon) - Posts: 600 - 18/01/2026 18:42:18 2651666 Link
A brilliant final. Both teams played very positive football right through. Some brilliant battles all over the pitch and excellent scores taken. It's a game that could have gone either way. Brigid's kicks that they dropped short were very costly. I think An Daingean got 7 points from 5 kicks dropped short. In a game of such fine margins, teams will always feel aggrieved by some decisions. There were two fouls on Brigid's forwards when they were a point up at the end of extra-time. The one where I think it was Eddie Nolan went to pick up the ball and was flattened by a sliding boot was a blatant one. Because they were a point up and the game was almost over, the ref decided not to give it. If they were a point down, I'm certain he would have given it, or at any other stage in the game. An Daingean came down and levelled. After that, Brigid's did have possession. Brain Stack is a mighty player, but he made a bad decision to try a risky ball in with around 50 seconds left. Should have held it and tried to work the last shot. Ensure they wouldn't lose the match anyway. Instead he gave it away and it was An Daingean who had the last crucial kick. Comhghairdeas le muintir Chiarraí Thiar. Mí-ádh ceart ar fhir Ros Comáin. WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2708 - 18/01/2026 18:55:53 2651672 Link
Replying To galwayford: "Dingle a bit more direct today. A lot of hand passing from St Brigids. That said blatant fouling and 3 man tackles by Kerry backs went unpunished." Didn't see the stats but I would say Dingle had the most hand passing. Brigids wayward kick passing and shooting proved costly. Five more shots on goal than Dingle in a one point extra time loss. The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 4241 - 18/01/2026 19:05:15 2651682 Link
Hard luck St Brigid's who gave in everything. Congratulations to Dingle on their win. Definite free near the end for Brigid's which probably would have won it. Some heroic performances by players on both sides. (Fallon, Cunnane, Frost, Hand etc for Brigid's) Great final. letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 832 - 18/01/2026 19:09:38 2651685 Link
Replying To Ros2013: "That's some year for Kerry football. Well done to Dingle and I've no doubt Brigids will be back heartbreaking as it is." It was a very good game of football and although its a cliche, no team deserved to lose.It was a great battle between two fine teams.Well done Dingle and tough luck St.Brigids.Some great displays today from many players but special mention to Conor Hand and Tom O Sullivan. gaa.88 (Kerry) - Posts: 41 - 18/01/2026 19:31:03 2651693 Link
Replying To BarneyGrant: "Of course im laying off. Watch match knowing im well up." Well done Barney.In fairness to you, you said you fancied Dingle from the very start,Hope you made a nice few euro. gaa.88 (Kerry) - Posts: 41 - 18/01/2026 19:33:55 2651694 Link
Congrats to both teams on what they showed today.. Thought a huge turning point was the possible black card for a Paul geaney body check,dingle scored a point from this which I'm almost certain the ball was fouled..very enjoyable game and once again dingle showed they are never beaten.. CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2637 - 18/01/2026 19:38:02 2651696 Link
Replying To Ros2013: "That's some year for Kerry football. Well done to Dingle and I've no doubt Brigids will be back heartbreaking as it is." We were treated to one of the greatest games of football ever witnessed in Croke Park. Shackles off meant football was the real winner. Its heartbreaking for Bridgids as I thought they had it but im glad it didnt go to penalties. What a year for Kerry football they are making hay with the new rules. Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 46 - 18/01/2026 19:40:57 2651697 Link
Replying To galwayford: "Dingle a bit more direct today. A lot of hand passing from St Brigids. That said blatant fouling and 3 man tackles by Kerry backs went unpunished." I didn't think Brigid's had more hand passing at all. If anything, it was some poor kick passing that gave away possession at crucial times. An Daingean didn't kick as much in the inside line as the game wore on, as Frost was doing very well on Paul Geaney. Brigid's had a bit more possession, and I haven't had a look at the stats but I'd say they won a higher percentage of kickouts on both sides. An Daingean struggled to get clean possession as the game wore on, but got a huge return from shots which Brigid's dropped short. I think they got 7 points from 5 Brigid's shots which went into the goalie's hands. Even if they went wide, it would have given Brigid's a decent chance of getting possession from the kickout. WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2708 - 18/01/2026 20:03:55 2651709 Link