NFL Division 2 - 2026

DaleCooper · February 10, 2026, 12:12:54 PM

Can see Tyrone walloping Cavan, desperately need to win and will play full strength from whats available.

It is amazing how intense interest is in the league though. Changed times

Cunny Funt · February 10, 2026, 01:47:11 PM

Quote from: DaleCooper on February 10, 2026, 12:12:54 PMCan see Tyrone walloping Cavan, desperately need to win and will play full strength from whats available.

It is amazing how intense interest is in the league though. Changed times

Congested nature of the inter county season nowadays. If some consistent/decent form isn't seen during the league it's unlikely to suddenly improve with the championship around the corner.

In the past with the big break between the end of the league and start of the championship many teams chose to step on training and prep during that break.

Captain Scarlet · February 10, 2026, 02:34:40 PM

I know we use the word congested but every league in most sports is congested with a game or two every week. Players want to play games and fans want to watch games, but I do think it puts more pressure on managers to think on their feet.

It's very hard to turn things round if it goes badly early on, but it also exposes the rot before the championship.

Division 2 is the best there is, as teams can fall off or catch fire game on game. Cavan and Offaly will be in deep trouble come Sunday evening with 0 points.

I reckon Derry will beat us, but then again I'm hoping we might rattle them as the week goes on.

imtommygunn · February 10, 2026, 04:17:48 PM

Ever since the league moved from starting in september to the new year the deman has been much greater. Even the mckenna cup had a load of interest.

Plus in reality the championship will be won by at most a handful of teams. The league will have teams competing against comparable other teams.

Mario · February 10, 2026, 06:24:53 PM

Quote from: Cunny Funt on February 10, 2026, 01:47:11 PM
Quote from: DaleCooper on February 10, 2026, 12:12:54 PMCan see Tyrone walloping Cavan, desperately need to win and will play full strength from whats available.

It is amazing how intense interest is in the league though. Changed times

Congested nature of the inter county season nowadays. If some consistent/decent form isn't seen during the league it's unlikely to suddenly improve with the championship around the corner.

In the past with the big break between the end of the league and start of the championship many teams chose to step on training and prep during that break.

Meath didn't get out of D2 last year and got to an AI semi, Tyrone got relegated and did the same. Derry won D1 in 2024 and had a disastrous championship.

Personally I like the league because there are always good games and you have been starved of intercounty football for 6+ months before it.

Blowitupref · February 10, 2026, 07:11:50 PM

Quote from: imtommygunn on February 10, 2026, 04:17:48 PMEver since the league moved from starting in september to the new year the deman has been much greater. Even the mckenna cup had a load of interest.

Plus in reality the championship will be won by at most a handful of teams. The league will have teams competing against comparable other teams.

Generally the McKenna cup always had load of interest in but this year probably had a lower attendance figures than previous years.

Bringing back the O'Byrne,McGrath cups and FBD league didn't deliver a sudden up turn in interest.

What helps with the interest in the NFL is its connection to the championship with seeding. It's format is arguably the best the GAA have and for lots of teams probably their most important competition as they look to build and improve for the years ahead.

Cunny Funt · February 10, 2026, 07:41:41 PM

Quote from: Mario on February 10, 2026, 06:24:53 PM
Quote from: Cunny Funt on February 10, 2026, 01:47:11 PM
Quote from: DaleCooper on February 10, 2026, 12:12:54 PMCan see Tyrone walloping Cavan, desperately need to win and will play full strength from whats available.

It is amazing how intense interest is in the league though. Changed times

Congested nature of the inter county season nowadays. If some consistent/decent form isn't seen during the league it's unlikely to suddenly improve with the championship around the corner.

In the past with the big break between the end of the league and start of the championship many teams chose to step on training and prep during that break.
Meath didn't get out of D2 last year and got to an AI semi, Tyrone got relegated and did the same. Derry won D1 in 2024 and had a disastrous championship.

Personally I like the league because there are always good games and you have been starved of intercounty football for 6+ months before it.

Meath were hot favourites for promotion with 2 games to play last year and ended up losing to Monaghan at home and Louth away and ended up missing out on promotion by 1 point. Be interesting to see will they learn from that this year.

Tyrone were relegated on 7 points on scoring difference which is unheard of. Wasn't surprised Tyrone beat Dublin in the last 8 after watching the struggle Dublin had to overcome Cork the previous week.

As for Derry in 2024 they won the Division 1 title and reached the last 8 of the championship, lots of counties would be delighted with that years work but Derry was seen as Aĺl Ireland contenders at the time and whatever happened in that training camp away didn't help.

I've always liked the league and that's going back to the time of watching round 1 and 2 in November.