Perhaps the most competitive Leinster since the 90s. The contenders
Dublin, for years the stand out team not only in the province but in the country. Definitely in transition but rule them out at ur peril
Meath, a new lease of life after the disastrous tenure of CoR, to come from such a low ebb to been genuine contenders for Leinster and indeed Sam is some achievement in Brennans second year.
Louth , defending champions and probably a bit more effective than last year and you might even say better since the new manager arrived.
Wexford, should be div 3 champions, played better than Down but ran out of steam in ET
Westmeath, will wonder how they have another year in div 3, still looking like they could pose a danger
Kildare, how are they so lowly ranked, play in all ire anyway and surely all that talent from 20s has to make a impact at some stage
Offaly got a few lessons in div 2 but it may stand to them.
Longford, can't see them doing much
Wicklow just never compete in Leinster
Carlow again it's a no.
So what is your verdict?
Mine is that it's a Leinster final between Meath and ?? I can't split Dublin and Louth. If the semi is played outside croke park I give the nod to Louth. If not I give it to Dublin.
Winner ? Meath. But I'm extremely biased.
I'm also biased but it is Meath's to lose.
Dublin will have enough to reach the final but that will be that.
Then we will talk about another Meath split
Ger Brennan to bounce back from his 12 week ban and regain the Leinster title for Dublin and it will be back to back Leinster titles for himself.
Quote from: Dunneroyal on April 05, 2026, 10:18:25 AMPerhaps the most competitive Leinster since the 90s. The contenders
Dublin, for years the stand out team not only in the province but in the country. Definitely in transition but rule them out at ur peril
Meath, a new lease of life after the disastrous tenure of CoR, to come from such a low ebb to been genuine contenders for Leinster and indeed Sam is some achievement in Brennans second year.
Louth , defending champions and probably a bit more effective than last year and you might even say better since the new manager arrived.
Wexford, should be div 3 champions, played better than Down but ran out of steam in ET
Westmeath, will wonder how they have another year in div 3, still looking like they could pose a danger
Kildare, how are they so lowly ranked, play in all ire anyway and surely all that talent from 20s has to make a impact at some stage
Offaly got a few lessons in div 2 but it may stand to them.
Longford, can't see them doing much
Wicklow just never compete in Leinster
Carlow again it's a no.
So what is your verdict?
Mine is that it's a Leinster final between Meath and ?? I can't split Dublin and Louth. If the semi is played outside croke park I give the nod to Louth. If not I give it to Dublin.
Winner ? Meath. But I'm extremely biased.
Only 10 counties involved this year ? ;)
Laois is irrelevant!
Meath weren't convincing in the league final. Cork should have had another 2 or 3 goals. A few of the league games like against Cavan and Louth they scrapped by with late 2 pointers. They should be capable of winning Leinster. The only Leinster team in Division 1 next year. It would be interesting to see them against Dublin in Croke Park. Beating Dublin last year was a help being in tullamore.
The league and therefore last game doesn't matter. It's of no relevance.
The most important game is the next one. Teams will win games by 20pts and say they weren't tested. In other cases, they win by 1pt and it's like they aren't playing well and were lucky to win.
Every game is taken on it's own merits. Win it, in any fashion and move on to the next game.
Quote from: rodney trotter on April 05, 2026, 01:09:23 PMMeath weren't convincing in the league final. Cork should have had another 2 or 3 goals. A few of the league games like against Cavan and Louth they scrapped by with late 2 pointers. They should be capable of winning Leinster. The only Leinster team in Division 1 next year. It would be interesting to see them against Dublin in Croke Park. Beating Dublin last year was a help being in tullamore.
The Roscommon Oracle advises that Laois is irrelevant (see above) but the history book shows that Meath beat Dublin in Portlaoise ;)
Quote from: marty34 on April 05, 2026, 01:30:13 PMThe league and therefore last game doesn't matter. It's of no relevance.
The most important game is the next one. Teams will win games by 20pts and say they weren't tested. In other cases, they win by 1pt and it's like they aren't playing well and were lucky to win.
Every game is taken on it's own merits. Win it, in any fashion and move on to the next game.
,
Yes but in a short season better to have some momentum. Not like 10 + years ago where teams had about 2 months to plan for championship
My sincere apologies. Thought I had already mentioned Laois. So I will now. Very hot and cold. Hard to see them make a impact
(https://i.ibb.co/fYPQhpTc/Screenshot-20260405-145438-Chrome.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BVSwXZY1)
(https://i.ibb.co/kVTyLhxM/Screenshot-20260405-145816-Chrome.jpg) (https://ibb.co/V0GNFvt3)
Meath to get revenge and hammer Louth in Leinster final.
Should Leinster final be moved out of Croke Park with Meath unfair advantage of playing home games there?
I don't see Louth being hammered by anyone but I do think Meath have more gears in them this year. Dublin are in dire need of a fully fit Con O'C but that doesn't happen often these days.
Meath were on fire with 2-pointers last year and kinda lost the head when they didn't fly over against Donegal, but they seem to have grown a bit.
The rest, including my own county Kildare, will potter along for a bit without doing any real damage.
Meath v Dublin Final would have a bit of buzz about it in fairness.
If Kilkenny and O'Callaghan are playing for Dublin i still say they got enough up front.
Confirmed tonight Tullamore and Portlaoise will host Leinster SFC semi-finals.
Quote from: Blowitupref on April 07, 2026, 10:20:29 PMConfirmed tonight Tullamore and Portlaoise will host Leinster SFC semi-finals.
That will be interesting.
Kildare at 14/1 may offer some value.
Louth probably the best value there, surprised at the Dubs being favourites over Meath.
The distraction with Brennans ban won't be helping Dublin, apparently he's not even meant to be at training if that's upheld?
Quote from: Fogarty on April 08, 2026, 10:00:44 AMKildare at 14/1 may offer some value.
Kildare looked absolutely terrible at times in the league. Would be very surprised if they laid a glove on Meath, Dublin or Louth. They'll be very thankful for their Tailteann cup win.
Losing money at 14/1 is still the same end result! I think we will have too much for Laois/ Offaly at home, but Meath were so far ahead of us in the league and will only be better on harder ground. They missed a lot against us in the league.
Louth are a fine streetwise outfit and can't be written off but they are in big bother if Mulroy is not on it or shit down - easier said than done mind.
Meath are big and mobile. Even the elder lads like Keoghan still have some legs and Jack O'Connor is really flying. It's not all just down to one or two men up top.
Them bans where never changed from the calendar change meaning alot of games were missed. Totally self inflicted but under the old Calendar he would seen some pitch time uf Dublin had progressed, now he sees nothing if they not in a semi.
Quote from: Captain Scarlet on April 08, 2026, 11:18:23 AMLosing money at 14/1 is still the same end result! I think we will have too much for Louth/ Offaly at home, but Meath were so far ahead of us in the league and will only be better on harder ground. They missed a lot against us in the league.
Louth are a fine streetwise outfit and can't be written off but they are in big bother if Mulroy is not on it or shit down - easier said than done mind.
Meath are big and mobile. Even the elder lads like Keoghan still have some legs and Jack O'Connor is really flying. It's not all just down to one or two men up top.
You think Kildare have too much for Louth? Bold enough take there I think. A big ask for Louth to go back to back, but don't see anyone other than Meath or Dublin if they get their shit together beating them. If I was to call it I'd say Louth to come up short in Leinster but make a far better stab at the All Ireland series.
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 08, 2026, 11:41:34 AMQuote from: Captain Scarlet on April 08, 2026, 11:18:23 AMLosing money at 14/1 is still the same end result! I think we will have too much for Louth/ Offaly at home, but Meath were so far ahead of us in the league and will only be better on harder ground. They missed a lot against us in the league.
Louth are a fine streetwise outfit and can't be written off but they are in big bother if Mulroy is not on it or shit down - easier said than done mind.
Meath are big and mobile. Even the elder lads like Keoghan still have some legs and Jack O'Connor is really flying. It's not all just down to one or two men up top.
You think Kildare have too much for Louth? Bold enough take there I think. A big ask for Louth to go back to back, but don't see anyone other than Meath or Dublin if they get their shit together beating them. If I was to call it I'd say Louth to come up short in Leinster but make a far better stab at the All Ireland series.
I think he meant Laois.
Kildare are not pulling up trees, but I don't think Meath and Louth are on fire either.
There is probably too much hype in Meath as well.
I'd say Meath are on fire, relatively speaking. Nobody smart will be predicting them to win the AI but they've backed up last year and kicked on.
Quote from: Fogarty on April 08, 2026, 01:34:58 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on April 08, 2026, 11:41:34 AMQuote from: Captain Scarlet on April 08, 2026, 11:18:23 AMLosing money at 14/1 is still the same end result! I think we will have too much for Louth/ Offaly at home, but Meath were so far ahead of us in the league and will only be better on harder ground. They missed a lot against us in the league.
Louth are a fine streetwise outfit and can't be written off but they are in big bother if Mulroy is not on it or shit down - easier said than done mind.
Meath are big and mobile. Even the elder lads like Keoghan still have some legs and Jack O'Connor is really flying. It's not all just down to one or two men up top.
You think Kildare have too much for Louth? Bold enough take there I think. A big ask for Louth to go back to back, but don't see anyone other than Meath or Dublin if they get their shit together beating them. If I was to call it I'd say Louth to come up short in Leinster but make a far better stab at the All Ireland series.
I think he meant Laois.
Kildare are not pulling up trees, but I don't think Meath and Louth are on fire either.
There is probably too much hype in Meath as well.
I'd say Louth, Meath and Dublin are a good bit ahead in Leinster all 3 definitely capable of winning it. All 3 certainly capable of reaching a quarter final and beyond, Meath you'd say could maybe, maybe reach a final draw dependent, would be interesting to see them meet Donegal or Kerry to see how they'd get on in comparison to the absolute tanking Donegal gave them or if they can get another result against Kerry.
I did mean Laois/ Offaly sorry. But yeah the main three are a good bit ahead.
At least it's a bit more interesting and I think there is a solid kick in the Dubs at some stage. Feck would Fenton anser an SOS?
Quote from: Fogarty on April 08, 2026, 01:34:58 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on April 08, 2026, 11:41:34 AMQuote from: Captain Scarlet on April 08, 2026, 11:18:23 AMLosing money at 14/1 is still the same end result! I think we will have too much for Louth/ Offaly at home, but Meath were so far ahead of us in the league and will only be better on harder ground. They missed a lot against us in the league.
Louth are a fine streetwise outfit and can't be written off but they are in big bother if Mulroy is not on it or shit down - easier said than done mind.
Meath are big and mobile. Even the elder lads like Keoghan still have some legs and Jack O'Connor is really flying. It's not all just down to one or two men up top.
You think Kildare have too much for Louth? Bold enough take there I think. A big ask for Louth to go back to back, but don't see anyone other than Meath or Dublin if they get their shit together beating them. If I was to call it I'd say Louth to come up short in Leinster but make a far better stab at the All Ireland series.
I think he meant Laois.
Kildare are not pulling up trees, but I don't think Meath and Louth are on fire either.
There is probably too much hype in Meath as well.
Don't think there is any hype in Meath. Actually I'd say there is more nerves than anything else, we on everyone's radar after last year and the league. There's not a cigarette paper between dublin Louth and Meath. Louth are too big of price maybe cause to win it they have to beat both Dublin and Meath. Louth may even have been fav if Meath and Dublin were on opposite side.
Confidence? Yes we will beat I believe the two team we play before final in Westmeath and Kildare. But our problem is we won't have had the test that either Louth or Dublin will have had, and that's a huge negative. I actually believe that Offaly gave a better account of themselves than Kildare did in league at least for 30 minutes, Kildare were hugely disappointing, and there is something seriously wrong there. What I don't know but they have the players to be better than they are.
So hype no, hope yes
We'll see. There are doubts about Meath because they didn't close the deal in the Leinster final last year.
Beating Dublin was the hard part.
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 08, 2026, 10:29:05 AMLouth probably the best value there, surprised at the Dubs being favourites over Meath.
The distraction with Brennans ban won't be helping Dublin, apparently he's not even meant to be at training if that's upheld?
Might not be a bad thing. Let Bastik run them ragged for a few weeks.
Quote from: Dunneroyal on April 08, 2026, 11:15:40 PMBut our problem is we won't have had the test that either Louth or Dublin will have had
I understand Kildare aren't going well but is this side of the draw that much a foregone conclusion?
Louth squeaked past us last year with a bit of extra nous and scoring efficiency. But we dominated a lot of that game. With a bit of luck, the only one who played that day that we'll be missing for the championship is David Hyland.
Offaly would also be a different proposition with a couple key lads back.
Neither county are the favourites but I'm not sure Kildare and Offaly are as irrelevant as some think.
Kildare were so flat in the league match and I know it's only the league, but they will be stronger and quicker on the harder ground. I'd call it to say they are 5+ a better outfit.
I don't know why I had it in my head that Fenton might come back, but the Sunday Game announcement was a curveball! With all the Ger Brennan craic and them not really flying, I'd fancy Louth a bit more.
They were missing a lot of lads in that last league game, so if they get them back they are a solid outfit who are more settled than the Dubs.
On second thoughts from an earlier post I'd prefer the Louth v Meath pairing again and the colour it will bring.
Half time Offaly 0-8 Laois 2-7
Anothet 1-1 for Laois to lead by 9 points now. 2,841 the attendance
Result Offaly 0-12 Laois 3-12
Bad year to date for the Biffos!
That's them and London in the TC.
Great win. Always good to beat the BIFFOS.
Most famous Biffo getting a hole in one makes up for loss
Said Offaly were bad. Kildare may improve on better ground (if we get it ) but honestly I don't think they will bother this Meath team
Quote from: laoislad on April 11, 2026, 08:22:13 PMGreat win. Always good to beat the BIFFOS.
Obviously not too many of ye too bothered 2,841 attendance!
Whats happened Offaly? Looked like a team ready to push on from what I saw of them in last years league, but results have ben awful since. Have injuries been that bad?
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 12, 2026, 08:26:33 AMWhats happened Offaly? Looked like a team ready to push on from what I saw of them in last years league, but results have ben awful since. Have injuries been that bad?
Yes and No. Injuries have been a big feature. A less depleted squad perhaps could have survived the Div 3 drop.
Other than that, I believe the Mickey Harte bounce of 2025 has worn off. The underlying issue was the unpopularity of 2024 manager Declan Kelly who had a poor stint that year - losing badly to London on top of growing disgruntlement in the dressing room.
He was untenable going forward as the sole manager, so appointing Harte as the joint manager put a lid on this bubbling saucepan.
Whatever sauce Mickey was bringing to the picnic last year is not being brought this year. The mood in the camp doesn't seem good.
Yesterday it came home to roost.
The defence looked in huge trouble at times. Ball watching, slow reactions. Players switching off and allowing Leix forwards steal several yards before any response. The margin could have been far worse. A more clinical opposition would have gone to town.
At the other end, Offaly had plenty of possession, but too many single man drives ending up in a square pass, or a turnover. There was little clever inter play.
Either advanced attacking play wasn't worked on in training - or it was and the players ignored the advice - or else the players have become very poor players in 2026?
Worryingly, some of the normally quicker Offaly players looked dead-legged and lethargic. Take pace out of a team already small in height and that spells trouble.
Right now my feeling is that it's a pity Offaly have to limp onwards into the TC. This would have been an appropriate time to sign off with a management set up that had a productive 2025, but has now reached the end of the road
Twice last year Offaly outplayed and outsmarted Kildare in the league, but by the time of the championship Kildare had some stronger men back and sat a lad on Egan who had destroyed us.
That did the trick and this year they were way off us. Teams have figured them out a bit more and you can't afford to lose anyone.
Good luck in the TC and hope to see you bounce back. Going by what you are saying if ye kept Mickey and got lads back there is still young team with potential there.
Half-time Longford 1-8 Westmeath 5-9
Big enough win for Wicklow. Goes against league form but thought they might win that one.
Results
Longford 1-16 Westmeath 5-25
Carlow 1-7 Wicklow 2-15
Ahh the annexed part we play. Always love it.
Westmeath can't be underestimated. While I fancy us to beat them, they can score goals and our full back line get exposed at times.
Ronan Jones is back fit and gives us another option off the bench. Costello not fit yet so won't feature.
Westmeath manager Mark McHugh.
I actually feel that's a wee bit unfair.
All the teams that played this weekend have to play next weekend against one of the big four, if you want to call them that.
There should be a two-week break, because they can go and watch [their next Leinster opponent] today. I'm sure Robbie Brennan was out there...
We're looking at Longford since the league, so we need to get studying them [Meath] from tonight on and we'll see what we can bring.
Quote from: Blowitupref on April 13, 2026, 04:52:10 PMWestmeath manager Mark McHugh.
I actually feel that's a wee bit unfair.
All the teams that played this weekend have to play next weekend against one of the big four, if you want to call them that.
There should be a two-week break, because they can go and watch [their next Leinster opponent] today. I'm sure Robbie Brennan was out there...
We're looking at Longford since the league, so we need to get studying them [Meath] from tonight on and we'll see what we can bring.
As he would have known that the winners play Meath it would be a bit odd and unprofessional not to look at them ahead of the game