National Forum

Football Championship 2026

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Replying To brayballer:  "No Dave.Just happy Down massacred yous."
Dave Brown loves Down. It was an impressive win alright but not sure it could be classed as a massacre.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1583 - 29/04/2026 22:35:57    2669879

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Replying To mickcunningham:  "I do not know where you get your false information. Mattie whittaker and luke loughlin will line out on sunday"
Everyone locally in Westmeath was saying it last weekend. He's actually gone for year with county might make a club final or semi if downs reach it

dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 930 - 30/04/2026 00:38:18    2669892

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Replying To Commodore:  "It feels like a refreshing kind of year so far in Football, Roscommon are playing serious football, I think Louth will be looking to retain Leinster this year and seeing Westmeath and Down emerge is great. Even in the lower divisions, seeing Carlow win Division 4 and Leitrim beat Sligo, its healthy to see different sides progress and good for the sport."
And hopefully, Cork beating Kerry in the Munster Final!

bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 517 - 30/04/2026 09:32:24    2669909

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Replying To legendzxix:  "I'd have no problem about provincial championships being separate from the All Ireland series. The provincial finals this year have no impact on the All Ireland, no seeding benefit or anything to be gained from winning the finals. The provincial championships should be able to stand on their own two feet."
Provincial "finalists" gain home advantage, but they have not all arrived there equally. Small point, but you seem reluctant to refer to that?

Expertinall (UK) - Posts: 37 - 30/04/2026 11:12:21    2669946

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Derry - Monaghan. Derry missed out on promotion. Monaghan shook off a disappointing league to get the better of Cavan. Derry are favourites but I wouldn't write off Monaghan.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9684 - 30/04/2026 12:48:31    2669987

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Replying To dickie10:  "Everyone locally in Westmeath was saying it last weekend. He's actually gone for year with county might make a club final or semi if downs reach it"
Yeah i wasn't aware of the extent of his injury . As a westmeath supporter I was trying to stay positive

mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1970 - 30/04/2026 14:25:28    2670007

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Really disappointing news that Luke Loughlin is out for the year. He will be a massive loss to Westmeath. He is one of those players that neutrals love to watch as well. A very exciting footballer with a bit of X-factor about him.
I would say that tips the balance in Kildare's favour. Kildare by a point or two.

Louth and Dublin will be an interesting match. A lot of people are tipping Louth, but I just have a feeling that Dublin will be out to prove a point after the criticism they received when they just about overcame a spirited Wicklow challenge.
Dubs by 2 or 3 points.

In Ulster, the consensus seems to be that it'll be a Derry-Armagh final. I wouldn't be so sure. Monaghan will be tricky opponents for Derry. Down are certainly not to be discounted, as we found out to our cost last Sunday. It's a local derby and anything can happen. Laverty said they really zoned in and prepared meticulously for the Donegal match. They obviously didn't have the same amount of time to repeat the same process analysing Armagh, which leads me to give Armagh the nod by 4 or 5. They have an Ulster title itch to scratch, and I think it may finally be McGeeney's time in Ulster.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 10312 - 01/05/2026 09:26:05    2670107

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Dublin v Louth. Winner secures home advantage for Round 1. Home league ground advantage can help at the business stage of the championship later in the summer. I wouldn't be joining the rush to write off Dublin.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9684 - 01/05/2026 12:39:07    2670162

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Dublin v Louth. Winner secures home advantage for Round 1. Home league ground advantage can help at the business stage of the championship later in the summer. I wouldn't be joining the rush to write off Dublin."
Louth won't be playing in Louth even if they win though.

With the Luke Loughlin injury you'd imagine the Leinster winner will come from this semi.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1583 - 01/05/2026 12:44:11    2670165

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Dublin v Louth. Winner secures home advantage for Round 1. Home league ground advantage can help at the business stage of the championship later in the summer. I wouldn't be joining the rush to write off Dublin."
Will Louth be allowed play home games in Ardee. It is a bit of a fortress.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 985 - 01/05/2026 13:08:08    2670172

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Really disappointing news that Luke Loughlin is out for the year. He will be a massive loss to Westmeath. He is one of those players that neutrals love to watch as well. A very exciting footballer with a bit of X-factor about him.
I would say that tips the balance in Kildare's favour. Kildare by a point or two.

Louth and Dublin will be an interesting match. A lot of people are tipping Louth, but I just have a feeling that Dublin will be out to prove a point after the criticism they received when they just about overcame a spirited Wicklow challenge.
Dubs by 2 or 3 points.

In Ulster, the consensus seems to be that it'll be a Derry-Armagh final. I wouldn't be so sure. Monaghan will be tricky opponents for Derry. Down are certainly not to be discounted, as we found out to our cost last Sunday. It's a local derby and anything can happen. Laverty said they really zoned in and prepared meticulously for the Donegal match. They obviously didn't have the same amount of time to repeat the same process analysing Armagh, which leads me to give Armagh the nod by 4 or 5. They have an Ulster title itch to scratch, and I think it may finally be McGeeney's time in Ulster."
Tough ask for Down to repeat last weeks performance, but need to stay in sam, advantage Armagh but I'd nearly rather be in Donegals position

Expertinall (UK) - Posts: 37 - 01/05/2026 15:15:31    2670218

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Replying To Expertinall:  "Tough ask for Down to repeat last weeks performance, but need to stay in sam, advantage Armagh but I'd nearly rather be in Donegals position"
Schedule a bit silly, if done right would be 2 week gap at least between quarter final and semi-final.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3939 - 01/05/2026 18:16:04    2670247

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "And hopefully, Cork beating Kerry in the Munster Final!"
No reason why not Bloodandbandage.Regardless of what some think most Kerry/Cork clashes are close.KLast year was a draw and we sneaked it in extra time in a fantastic game of football.The year before Kerry won by two points.

Since the qualifiers came in 25 years ago,no teams have met each other more in the championship than Cork and Kerry.They have met in two qualifiers,4 All Ireland semi finals and two All Ireland finals.

Cork and Kerry have met an astonishing 38 times in the chmpionship in the last 25 years.Thats almost incredible.While Kerry have won most,Cork were the victors on 6 occassions and there were 8 draws.

The lazy narrative is its only Kerry in Munster and Cork have beaten teams like Mayo and Donegal in the championship also in the last couple of years.Im hoping for a Kerry victory but wont be shocked by any outcome.Cork and Kerry take on a life of its own.
Last night the two under 20 teams produced a brilliant Munster final with Kerry claiming a narrow victory.
Roll on Killarney next Sunday.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4129 - 01/05/2026 20:07:00    2670270

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