(https://i.ibb.co/DHQDZh7H/20260503-180035.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dwD0RFQw)
1st round draw tomorrow. Teams on the left will be at home to the teams on the right.
(https://i.ibb.co/VpSR4SCB/Screenshot-20260503-181252-Chrome.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qFsKQsg1)
Armagh to get Tyrone again
Draw tomorrow and I've a quick query.
Now that theres only 2 seeds will there be any need to do the draw the way they did it last 3 years.
Instead of Armagh/Monaghan v Mayo for example can we set in stone exactly who all the provincial finalists are playing in advance.
I see no issue in doing a complete draw tomorrow anyways.
Would stop teams getting tougher draws for winning their provincial like we seem with Galway last year.
In answer to above - all eight first round ties will be drawn tomorrow.
Provincial finalists in Bowl 1 (no distinction between winners and losers as finals yet to be played).
All teams will know who they will play in Round 1.
Just when you thought it couldn't get any messier they dream up this.
Quote from: Stickittotheman on May 03, 2026, 07:32:52 PMJust when you thought it couldn't get any messier they dream up this.
Messier ? Relatively straightforward I would have thought.
Please note that Monaghan can draw Derry, Roscomomon can draw Mayo and Westmeath can draw Kildare.
Is is of course a separate competition to the provincials (supposedly) ;)
Quote from: Stickittotheman on May 03, 2026, 07:32:52 PMJust when you thought it couldn't get any messier they dream up this.
Agreed. They saw the new CL style and tried to follow suit.
Kildare or Cavan would suit, but perhaps Derry or Louth would be manageable.
I thought the draw was supposed to be
Knocked out team a v Ulster winner
Knocked out team b v Ulster runner up.
In other words teams would know which of two teams they'd be playing until the final was decided.
Have they changed to all teams knowing tomorrow regardless of final results?
From gaa.ie (https://www.gaa.ie/article/format-for-2026-all-ireland-sfc-and-tailteann-cup)
Yes whoever a team draws tomorrow is who they will be playing regardless of result. The only advantage of a provincial winner is the same as a provincial loser and that is home advantage, whereas the Pot B team has a rest, less risk of injury, no red card risk, and 3 weeks to study opponent and attend match to study further. But it is what it is.
Quote from: weareros on May 03, 2026, 08:06:30 PMYes whoever a team draws tomorrow is who they will be playing regardless of result. The only advantage of a provincial winner is the same as a provincial loser and that is home advantage, whereas the Pot B team has a rest, less risk of injury, no red card risk, and 3 weeks to study opponent and attend match to study further. But it is what it is.
Madness
That doesnt make sense, u think its be the winners, runner ups against whoever drawn to play the winners and runner up.
The draw is live on GAA+ at 1pm
I don't mind the lack of pre determination but could it happen that Monaghan meet Derry in round one?
Yes
It's completely stupid. So the Ulster winner could draw Donegal and the Ulster loser could draw Cavan and you're better off losing Ulster.
The non-provincial finalists should be seeded by league position and the lowest seeds (Cavan, Kildare, Westmeath and Tyrone) should be drawn to play the provincial winners. At least that would make more sense.
It'll be Armagh and Monaghan in the draw (and not Ulster winner/runner up). So won't matter how you do in the final as to who you get.
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on May 03, 2026, 09:13:21 PMThat doesnt make sense, u think its be the winners, runner ups against whoever drawn to play the winners and runner up.
The logic of the format in the image in this chat doesn't make sense. Surely the winners should get some advantage.
Theres zero advantage, practically playing as a seperate competition, u think winning u province, should at least take you to the last 8,
There is the (remote) possibility of 4 repeats of provincial matches
Roscommon v Mayo
Monaghan v Derry
Dublin v Louth
Westmeath v Kildare
Some craic here if 2 or 3 of them happen :)
Winning your province hasn't taken you to the last 8 for what, five years?
It hasnt but there no promotion now of winning u province in the race for a All-Ireland. The set up previous few yrs is better than this. Derry used this propsed new set up in last yrs club championship
Provincial winners to draw the lowest ranking teams (on where they finished in the league) is how the draw should be done instead of what they'll have tomorrow.
Quote from: The Boy Wonder on May 03, 2026, 10:52:43 PMThere is the (remote) possibility of 4 repeats of provincial matches
Roscommon v Mayo
Monaghan v Derry
Dublin v Louth
Westmeath v Kildare
Some craic here if 2 or 3 of them happen :)
Is Armagh v Tyrone not there also?
Yes indeed - 5 possible repeat pairings
Armagh v Tyrone
Roscommon v Mayo
Monaghan v Cavan/Derry
Dublin v Louth
Westmeath v Kildare
Quote from: The Boy Wonder on May 04, 2026, 08:10:25 AMYes indeed - 5 possible repeat pairings
Armagh v Tyrone
Roscommon v Mayo
Monaghan v Cavan/Derry
Dublin v Louth
Westmeath v Kildare
Westmeath v Meath also possible
So there is a 66% chance of one repeat game from an earlier round. Monaghan and Armagh have a 50% chance of gettng an Ulster team, so it is likely that at least one will. But it is equally likely that an Ulster team will have to travel to Munster, which is an inevitable consequence of the imbalance between the two provinces. If you are likes of Derry and trying to get the show back on the road, a trip to Killarney might not be the ideal start.
Quote from: The Boy Wonder on May 04, 2026, 08:10:25 AMYes indeed - 5 possible repeat pairings
Armagh v Tyrone
Roscommon v Mayo
Monaghan v Cavan/Derry
Dublin v Louth
Westmeath v Kildare
Or Westmeath Meath.
I want the rossies
Cant beat that Blowitupref thanks, u vant bring a link to the Derry v Monaghan game.
Draw is 20 mins away
20mins, wankers.
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on May 04, 2026, 01:05:28 PMCant beat that Blowitupref thanks, u vant bring a link to the Derry v Monaghan game.
GAA+ usually make games free after a few days or of course you pay in the meantime.
Quote from: p3427977 on May 04, 2026, 01:05:50 PM20mins, wankers.
To be fair it probably takes that long to warm up the balls and make sure Kerry get the easiest possible draw.
To be fair the comments running alongside the live GAA + are class, chefs kiss to whoever wrote Casement Park will be built before this draw is done ;D
Quote from: p3427977 on May 04, 2026, 01:05:50 PM20mins, wankers.
Jarlath Burns must be making a speech
Dublin v Louth
Cork v Meath
Monaghan v Mayo
Westmeath v Cavan
Kerry v Donegal
Galway v Kildare
Armagh v Derry
Roscommon v Tyrone
;D ;D FFS
Quote from: Captain Obvious on May 04, 2026, 01:15:18 PMQuote from: p3427977 on May 04, 2026, 01:05:50 PM20mins, wankers.
To be fair it probably takes that long to warm up the balls and make sure Kerry get the easiest possible draw.
Or make sure that Donegal get a hard one?
At least we get a third chance! ;D
Quote from: armaghniac on May 04, 2026, 01:38:51 PMQuote from: Captain Obvious on May 04, 2026, 01:15:18 PMQuote from: p3427977 on May 04, 2026, 01:05:50 PM20mins, wankers.
To be fair it probably takes that long to warm up the balls and make sure Kerry get the easiest possible draw.
Or make sure that Donegal get a hard one?
The draw that neither of them wanted!
Worse draw Derry get outside Kerry, that 3 yrs running Armagh plus Ulster final yr before.
Some tasty games in there...Kerry v Donegal the stand out. Armagh v Derry will be interesting, Dublin v Louth likewise.
From a Tyrone point of view, we owe the Rossies after putting us out in Omagh a few years ago.
Repeat of the League final. Kerry will never close that gap to Donegal. Yerra.
Repeat of the 2025 All-Ireland final the stand out tie.
Dublin v Louth
Cork v Meath
Monaghan v Mayo
Westmeath v Cavan
Kerry v Donegal
Galway v Kildare
Armagh v Derry
Roscommon v Tyrone
Happy enough with that draw. Some high quality matches there.
Quote from: Aaron Boone on May 04, 2026, 01:41:01 PMRepeat of the League final. Kerry will never close that gap to Donegal. Yerra.
[/quote
Also a repeat of division 2 final. Long trip to cork ahead again
I'm getting sick of playing cork at this stage.
Nice to see kerry getting challenged early in the championship for once
The issue here is that it seems that the losing teams in this first round won't be eliminated, they just go into a loser's bracket. It's an advantage to get drawn against a stronger county at this stage so you will likely avoid playing that team again until the later knockout rounds.
Quote from: SouthDublinBro on May 04, 2026, 02:10:17 PMThe issue here is that it seems that the losing teams in this first round won't be eliminated, they just go into a loser's bracket. It's an advantage to get drawn against a stronger county at this stage so you will likely avoid playing that team again until the later knockout rounds.
Yeah the losers play another loser to get back in.
Danger is the likes of Armagh vs Derry loser getting Kerry v Donegal loser and a decent team getting an early summer.
How are Mayo such strong favourites v Monaghan?
Good draw for Kerry and Donegal, loser likely to get a handy game against another loser and they then can't meet again until the final.
Quote from: blanketattack on May 04, 2026, 02:36:30 PMHow are Mayo such strong favourites v Monaghan?
According to who? With home advantage and how bad Mayo looked against Roscommon I'd be typing Monaghan.
Are ye for real? Get beat here and you're not out?
Quote from: An Watcher on May 04, 2026, 02:43:09 PMAre ye for real? Get beat here and you're not out?
No you've another game after before you're out.
Quote from: Armagh18 on May 04, 2026, 02:37:55 PMGood draw for Kerry and Donegal, loser likely to get a handy game against another loser and they then can't meet again until the final.
Surely that's not right??
Quote from: Ronnie on May 04, 2026, 02:51:54 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 04, 2026, 02:37:55 PMGood draw for Kerry and Donegal, loser likely to get a handy game against another loser and they then can't meet again until the final.
Surely that's not right??
I thought it was only avoidance of repeat pairings until the quarter finals
Quote from: blanketattack on May 04, 2026, 02:36:30 PMHow are Mayo such strong favourites v Monaghan?
Any team with a bit of back bone would wipe the floor with Monaghan although that may not be Mayo either.
The Ulster final will be an easy 10+ win for Armagh.
Quote from: blanketattack on May 04, 2026, 02:36:30 PMHow are Mayo such strong favourites v Monaghan?
If moonster tips Monaghan then Mayo will be unbackable favourites
Have none of ye ever come across a double elimination format? It's really not that complicated lads.
Quote from: blanketattack on May 04, 2026, 02:36:30 PMHow are Mayo such strong favourites v Monaghan?
Are Mayo at 8/11 such strong favourites?
Monaghan were 3/1 to beat Derry now they are 7/5 to beat Mayo, I'd say that upwardly mobile recognition for Monaghan :)
Quote from: gallsman on May 04, 2026, 03:11:08 PMHave none of ye ever come across a double elimination format? It's really not that complicated lads.
But it is now a triple elimination format, lose in the provincial championship and then again in round 1 and you are still in the championship
Operated in the Derry championship last yr.
Quote from: Main Street on May 04, 2026, 03:25:35 PMQuote from: blanketattack on May 04, 2026, 02:36:30 PMHow are Mayo such strong favourites v Monaghan?
Are Mayo at 8/11 such strong favourites?
Monaghan were 3/1 to beat Derry now they are 7/5 to beat Mayo, I'd say that upwardly mobile recognition for Monaghan :)
Mayo have 3 All-Irelands and Monaghan zero, so that carries weight with the oddsmakers.
Would a better system be let the provincial winners into the quarter finals, the 8 teams that aren't in provincial finals play each other, 4 winners play the provincial losers for a qf place?
Quote from: dec on May 04, 2026, 03:33:43 PMQuote from: gallsman on May 04, 2026, 03:11:08 PMHave none of ye ever come across a double elimination format? It's really not that complicated lads.
But it is now a triple elimination format, lose in the provincial championship and then again in round 1 and you are still in the championship
Used to have it in Armagh as well pre covid and worked well. I suppose it's an improvement on the groups in that way where you could lose 3 games and not be out!
But a repeat pairing can't happen until AI semi... that right?
Quote from: dec on May 04, 2026, 03:33:43 PMQuote from: gallsman on May 04, 2026, 03:11:08 PMHave none of ye ever come across a double elimination format? It's really not that complicated lads.
But it is now a triple elimination format, lose in the provincial championship and then again in round 1 and you are still in the championship
For the AI series, as a replacement for the groups. Figured that didn't need clarifying.
I honestly think majority of games are 50/50. With exception of Galway v Kildare which should be a little more than a training exercise for Galway
Quote from: David McKeown on May 04, 2026, 01:43:43 PMHappy enough with that draw. Some high quality matches there.
I'd say the opposite to be fair. Donegal/Kerry the only standout fixture, the rest have a McKenna Cup feel to them.
I'll not berate this format too much for fear that we'd return to the dreaded "group stage" format that is just an aberration in Gaelic football. But let's talk about this round of games as what they are, win and you're still in the championship. Lose and you're still in the championship. There's pretty much next to nothing at stake here. I mean what interest does anyone have in a match where Cork play Meath and both remain in the championship? Or Roscommon v Tyrone?
It's also bit of a cod that a Cavan team who've been beyond atrocious this year are just a win against Westmeath away from a AI q-final.
Quote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:02:01 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 04, 2026, 01:43:43 PMHappy enough with that draw. Some high quality matches there.
It's a bit of a cod that a Cavan team who've been beyond atrocious this year are just a win against Westmeath away from a AI q-final.
They're not though
Quote from: JoG2 on May 04, 2026, 05:05:34 PMQuote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:02:01 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 04, 2026, 01:43:43 PMHappy enough with that draw. Some high quality matches there.
It's a bit of a cod that a Cavan team who've been beyond atrocious this year are just a win against Westmeath away from a AI q-final.
They're not though
Sorry followed the format wrong.
Still there's not that much incentive to win given that your reward may be to play Donegal, Dublin or Kerry in their home patch.
Quote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:08:52 PMQuote from: JoG2 on May 04, 2026, 05:05:34 PMQuote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:02:01 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 04, 2026, 01:43:43 PMHappy enough with that draw. Some high quality matches there.
It's a bit of a cod that a Cavan team who've been beyond atrocious this year are just a win against Westmeath away from a AI q-final.
They're not though
Sorry followed the format wrong.
Still there's not that much incentive to win given that your reward may be to play Donegal, Dublin or Kerry in their home patch.
Think round 1 winners should get home advantage
Quote from: Armagh18 on May 04, 2026, 05:14:43 PMQuote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:08:52 PMSorry followed the format wrong.
Still there's not that much incentive to win given that your reward may be to play Donegal, Dublin or Kerry in their home patch.
Think round 1 winners should get home advantage
Since round 1 winners play each other that may be tricky.
Quote from: armaghniac on May 04, 2026, 05:16:37 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 04, 2026, 05:14:43 PMQuote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:08:52 PMSorry followed the format wrong.
Still there's not that much incentive to win given that your reward may be to play Donegal, Dublin or Kerry in their home patch.
Think round 1 winners should get home advantage
Since round 1 winners play each other that may be tricky.
Slightly!
Hard to get used to all these changes
Quote from: Armagh18 on May 04, 2026, 05:14:43 PMQuote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:08:52 PMQuote from: JoG2 on May 04, 2026, 05:05:34 PMQuote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:02:01 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 04, 2026, 01:43:43 PMHappy enough with that draw. Some high quality matches there.
It's a bit of a cod that a Cavan team who've been beyond atrocious this year are just a win against Westmeath away from a AI q-final.
They're not though
Sorry followed the format wrong.
Still there's not that much incentive to win given that your reward may be to play Donegal, Dublin or Kerry in their home patch.
Think round 1 winners should get home advantage
But the structure of it means that's impossible. Round 1 winners play another round 1 winner. And the alternative (a round 1 winner plays a round 1 loser) makes the format even more ridiculous.
Quote from: Aaron Boone on May 04, 2026, 03:47:18 PMQuote from: Main Street on May 04, 2026, 03:25:35 PMQuote from: blanketattack on May 04, 2026, 02:36:30 PMHow are Mayo such strong favourites v Monaghan?
Are Mayo at 8/11 such strong favourites?
Monaghan were 3/1 to beat Derry now they are 7/5 to beat Mayo, I'd say that upwardly mobile recognition for Monaghan :)
Mayo have 3 All-Irelands and Monaghan zero, so that carries weight with the oddsmakers.
You have a unique insight into the minds of oddmakers that an event from 75 years ago carries such weight today on the football pitch or perhaps you're prone to making an idiotic statement.
Quote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:18:41 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 04, 2026, 05:14:43 PMQuote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:08:52 PMQuote from: JoG2 on May 04, 2026, 05:05:34 PMQuote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:02:01 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 04, 2026, 01:43:43 PMHappy enough with that draw. Some high quality matches there.
It's a bit of a cod that a Cavan team who've been beyond atrocious this year are just a win against Westmeath away from a AI q-final.
They're not though
Sorry followed the format wrong.
Still there's not that much incentive to win given that your reward may be to play Donegal, Dublin or Kerry in their home patch.
Think round 1 winners should get home advantage
But the structure of it means that's impossible. Round 1 winners play another round 1 winner. And the alternative (a round 1 winner plays a round 1 loser) makes the format even more ridiculous.
Yep getting myself mixed up with the format.
It is what it is, but it's a shame theres not more of a carrot for provincial finalists and especially winners
Some yapping on Twitter, regular yaps no doubt. A lot of people obviously couldn't take 5 minutes of their precious time in recent weeks to see what the new format was actually going to entail.
Wasn't jumping for joy at drawing Derry but I'm sure there was a much bigger groan in Derry circles.
Quote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:02:01 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 04, 2026, 01:43:43 PMHappy enough with that draw. Some high quality matches there.
I'd say the opposite to be fair. Donegal/Kerry the only standout fixture, the rest have a McKenna Cup feel to them.
I'll not berate this format too much for fear that we'd return to the dreaded "group stage" format that is just an aberration in Gaelic football. But let's talk about this round of games as what they are, win and you're still in the championship. Lose and you're still in the championship. There's pretty much next to nothing at stake here. I mean what interest does anyone have in a match where Cork play Meath and both remain in the championship? Or Roscommon v Tyrone?
It's also bit of a cod that a Cavan team who've been beyond atrocious this year are just a win against Westmeath away from a AI q-final.
That's a good point. £25 entrance fee and it literally doesn't matter if you win or lose. No points at stake and if you lose you are still in anyways.
Quote from: bennydorano on May 04, 2026, 05:54:15 PMSome yapping on Twitter, regular yaps no doubt. A lot of people obviously couldn't take 5 minutes of their precious time in recent weeks to see what the new format was actually going to entail.
Wasn't jumping for joy at drawing Derry but I'm sure there was a much bigger groan in Derry circles.
Sort of sick looking at Derry, what is this the 3rd year now as well as the Ulster final in 23, we better not get fecking Galway in the next round either!
Quote from: Stickittotheman on May 04, 2026, 05:57:06 PMQuote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:02:01 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 04, 2026, 01:43:43 PMHappy enough with that draw. Some high quality matches there.
I'd say the opposite to be fair. Donegal/Kerry the only standout fixture, the rest have a McKenna Cup feel to them.
I'll not berate this format too much for fear that we'd return to the dreaded "group stage" format that is just an aberration in Gaelic football. But let's talk about this round of games as what they are, win and you're still in the championship. Lose and you're still in the championship. There's pretty much next to nothing at stake here. I mean what interest does anyone have in a match where Cork play Meath and both remain in the championship? Or Roscommon v Tyrone?
It's also bit of a cod that a Cavan team who've been beyond atrocious this year are just a win against Westmeath away from a AI q-final.
That's a good point. £25 entrance fee and it literally doesn't matter if you win or lose. No points at stake and if you lose you are still in anyways.
Of course it matters if you win or lose. If you win you are one game from a quarter final and still have a second chance. If you lose you are two games from a quarter final and no more chances.
Also the teams who win first two games will have a week off before quarter finals.
Of course it matters if you lose ffs.
Westmeath will really relish the local bragging rights and sticking it to McCabe after that draw. A good tie for both teams on the face of it, but Cavan wouldn't kick snow off a rope at this stage.
Quote from: gallsman on May 04, 2026, 06:22:51 PMOf course it matters if you lose ffs.
How? What's the jeopardy? You are still in and all it might entail is one more game before your QF. That is hardly the end of the World.
The jeopardy is that if you lose the next game your season is over. It's not complicated.
Quote from: gallsman on May 04, 2026, 07:03:38 PMThe jeopardy is that if you lose the next game your season is over. It's not complicated.
It's not
Quote from: gallsman on May 04, 2026, 07:03:38 PMThe jeopardy is that if you lose the next game your season is over. It's not complicated.
Which means the jeopardy is in the next round of games not this one.
Reply to Cavanmaniac:
I don't think there's much bad feeling towards McCabe at this stage. It's understandable that he would want to take the opportunity to manage Cavan. McHugh has generated such positivity that most people have moved on.
It's only a good draw if you win, but you're right in that we're both among the lowest seeds in the competition. A win in this match guarantees one of us a shot at making a QF and at least three matches in the AI series. That's a big prize.
I think Meath will be happy enough. They won't fear Cork and will travel with a lot to prove. It could be a cracker.
The Dublin match is probably the last thing Louth wanted. I feel this match takes on a lot of significance for Louth. They've had a superb run over the last while, at all levels. Another defeat could dampen things down. A win however, would set the world to right again for them. They need to learn from Portlaoise.
Kerry v Donegal is mouth watering and I'm really looking forward to the Connacht v Ulster ties.
There's significant jeopardy in losing if you're hoping to be a contender.
Quote from: Armagh18 on May 04, 2026, 06:10:02 PMQuote from: bennydorano on May 04, 2026, 05:54:15 PMSome yapping on Twitter, regular yaps no doubt. A lot of people obviously couldn't take 5 minutes of their precious time in recent weeks to see what the new format was actually going to entail.
Wasn't jumping for joy at drawing Derry but I'm sure there was a much bigger groan in Derry circles.
Sort of sick looking at Derry, what is this the 3rd year now as well as the Ulster final in 23, we better not get fecking Galway in the next round either!
Or us!
Quote from: J70 on May 04, 2026, 08:47:32 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 04, 2026, 06:10:02 PMQuote from: bennydorano on May 04, 2026, 05:54:15 PMSome yapping on Twitter, regular yaps no doubt. A lot of people obviously couldn't take 5 minutes of their precious time in recent weeks to see what the new format was actually going to entail.
Wasn't jumping for joy at drawing Derry but I'm sure there was a much bigger groan in Derry circles.
Sort of sick looking at Derry, what is this the 3rd year now as well as the Ulster final in 23, we better not get fecking Galway in the next round either!
Or us!
Yeah please avoid!
Quote from: J70 on May 04, 2026, 08:47:32 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 04, 2026, 06:10:02 PMQuote from: bennydorano on May 04, 2026, 05:54:15 PMSome yapping on Twitter, regular yaps no doubt. A lot of people obviously couldn't take 5 minutes of their precious time in recent weeks to see what the new format was actually going to entail.
Wasn't jumping for joy at drawing Derry but I'm sure there was a much bigger groan in Derry circles.
Sort of sick looking at Derry, what is this the 3rd year now as well as the Ulster final in 23, we better not get fecking Galway in the next round either!
Or us!
As round two is either winners vs winners or losers vs losers a meeting with Donegal in that round is less likely. Galway is very likely to win and Armagh fairly likely to win, but Donegal's chances are less.
It's a shame this draw wasn't left until after the provincial finals or even draw the Munster/Connacht teams next Monday and the Leinster/Ulster after their finals. All the talk this week should be about Cork/Kerry and Galway/Rossies, but no doubt there'll be huge coverage of the draw especially with the Donegal/Kerry match up coming out of the bowl.
Jack O'Connor
Quote"I suppose it isn't ideal, really, to have the draw before the Munster final because I actually think it takes from the Munster final,"
"The Munster final should be a big standalone fixture in its own right, and I just hope it won't distract people, that's all. We'll be doing our level best to make sure it doesn't distract the players, which is the most important thing. But I have no interest in discussing that game [Donegal] until the Cork game is over because we'll have our hands full with Cork besides worrying about the game that is coming afterwards.
"Munster Council this week will be trying to promote the Munster final and then you have this draw which will get people talking about the All-Ireland series. It just looks like a bit of disconnect there somewhere.
"I am not making a big song and dance about it, I just think the Munster final should be an important enough fixture to give it everybody's full attention."
Quote from: APM on May 03, 2026, 10:17:57 PMIt's completely stupid. So the Ulster winner could draw Donegal and the Ulster loser could draw Cavan and you're better off losing Ulster.
The non-provincial finalists should be seeded by league position and the lowest seeds (Cavan, Kildare, Westmeath and Tyrone) should be drawn to play the provincial winners. At least that would make more sense.
Or even better, the provincial winners get a home draw and are seeded 1-4, seeds 5-8 are derived via league placing and also get a home draw. Provincial final rematches are not allowed in round 1, but that's it.
Lose the provincial final and there's a good chance you are away from home against a strong team - as things stand, I think this might be the beginning of the end for the provincials. Do 5 in a row seeking galway really give a feck? Similarly, Kerry? Armagh might, but just to scratch that itch and get those ulster medals to complete the set, but next year??
Will dubs come in for the leinster final v westmeath or wait the fortnight and go to the louth game instead??
Valid points
Quote from: Armagh18 on May 04, 2026, 05:21:40 PMQuote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:18:41 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 04, 2026, 05:14:43 PMQuote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:08:52 PMQuote from: JoG2 on May 04, 2026, 05:05:34 PMQuote from: trileacman on May 04, 2026, 05:02:01 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 04, 2026, 01:43:43 PMHappy enough with that draw. Some high quality matches there.
It's a bit of a cod that a Cavan team who've been beyond atrocious this year are just a win against Westmeath away from a AI q-final.
They're not though
Sorry followed the format wrong.
Still there's not that much incentive to win given that your reward may be to play Donegal, Dublin or Kerry in their home patch.
Think round 1 winners should get home advantage
But the structure of it means that's impossible. Round 1 winners play another round 1 winner. And the alternative (a round 1 winner plays a round 1 loser) makes the format even more ridiculous.
Yep getting myself mixed up with the format.
It is what it is, but it's a shame theres not more of a carrot for provincial finalists and especially winners
In the last format the provincial runners up got the short end of the stick in the draw for the group stages, now they are on the same pedestal as the provincial winners, what more of a carrot do you want for the runners up?
A disgrace the draw is before the provincials finals, does nothing for the promotions of the provincial finals. Time and time again the GAA shoot themselves in the foot in this department.
Galway had the group of death the last 3 years which was scant reward for winning Connacht so definitely due a bit of luck in draws going forward.
Quote from: Main Street on May 05, 2026, 01:51:44 AMIn the last format the provincial runners up got the short end of the stick in the draw for the group stages, now they are on the same pedestal as the provincial winners, what more of a carrot do you want for the runners up?
The problem with just giving runners up a bonus is that is benefits the likes of Cork, who are perpetual under performers (relative to their potential).
What is really needed is a more sophisticated seeeding that awards teams who beat Sam teams in their provincial series, but that would be hard to explain.
Quote from: armaghniac on May 05, 2026, 10:25:26 AMQuote from: Main Street on May 05, 2026, 01:51:44 AMIn the last format the provincial runners up got the short end of the stick in the draw for the group stages, now they are on the same pedestal as the provincial winners, what more of a carrot do you want for the runners up?
The problem with just giving runners up a bonus is that is benefits the likes of Cork, who are perpetual under performers (relative to their potential).
What is really needed is a more sophisticated seeeding that awards teams who beat Sam teams in their provincial series, but that would be hard to explain.
Ah stop, we're confused enough with this back door system lol
Is there anything to be said about just going back to the original back door system?? Open draw and one more chance.
I think the first thing that needs addressed is the ability of provinces to seed teams which directly impacts on the All Ireland series. For example had Cork drawn Kerry in an open draw in the Munster Semi final Cavan would now be in the Tailtean cup. That to me seems extremely unfair.
As does this idea of half avoiding repeat fixtures. Again impacted by seeding control by a province. It creates an unlevel playing field.
Quote from: Blowitupref on May 04, 2026, 01:41:44 PMRepeat of the 2025 All-Ireland final the stand out tie.
Dublin v Louth
Cork v Meath
Monaghan v Mayo
Westmeath v Cavan
Kerry v Donegal
Galway v Kildare
Armagh v Derry
Roscommon v Tyrone
I'm going to go for a clean sweep of home wins here.
Dublin v Louth - Can't see Louth being as poor again. I still expect Dublin to win again. This time by maybe 4 or 5 point.
Cork v Meath - I expect Cork to rattle Kerry this weekend. I expect them to beat an overhyped Meath side. The top of the ground will find Keoghan and Menton out. Cork by 2.
Monaghan v Mayo - When you expect Monaghan to kick out they seem to disappoint. Won't be much in this game but Monaghan to win it by a point or two. Mayo are impossible to predict.
Westmeath v Cavan - Westmeath should just about win this but Cavan to have a right cut. Westmeath find themselves in a Leinster final having beat Meath (self confessed Leinster Champions 2026) and a woeful Kildare side. The most likely away victory will be here.
Kerry v Donegal - I still think there is a kick in Donegal and while they mightn't win here they have still have a big say in where Sam ends up. Kerry to win after a few shaky moments.
Galway v Kildare - Only one winner here. Galway by at least 10. Kildare are poor. That is all.
Armagh v Derry - Armagh purring away nicely. Derry blowing hot and cold. Armagh will have too much.
Roscommon v Tyrone - Roscommon are playing some great football this year while Tyrone haven't got going at all. Rossies to win a ding dong high scoring game. Tyrone to come on from that game.
Now go put money on the opposite of what I said ;D
Quote from: mup on May 05, 2026, 12:42:08 PMNow go put money on the opposite of what I said ;D
No, no, no.......put your money on the opposite of what Moonster predicts :)
Will Dublin be using their home ground or "neutral Croke Park"?
Quote from: The Boy Wonder on May 05, 2026, 12:51:08 PMQuote from: mup on May 05, 2026, 12:42:08 PMNow go put money on the opposite of what I said ;D
No, no, no.......put your money on the opposite of what Moonster predicts :)
He better back Monaghan and Derry or I'm going to be worried!
Don't think Cavan have played Westmeath in the Championship before.
The craic will be mighty on The Bridge in Finea.
Myles the Slasher would be in his element.
Played in the qualifiers in 2014. Cavan won by a point.
Interesting one with Cavan manager Dermot McCabe being up against his nephew Eoghan, who came on as a sub (twice) against Kildare.
I stand corrected Shark. Thanks.
Quote from: David McKeown on May 05, 2026, 12:33:30 PMI think the first thing that needs addressed is the ability of provinces to seed teams which directly impacts on the All Ireland series. For example had Cork drawn Kerry in an open draw in the Munster Semi final Cavan would now be in the Tailtean cup. That to me seems extremely unfair.
As does this idea of half avoiding repeat fixtures. Again impacted by seeding control by a province. It creates an unlevel playing field.
Disagree, don't think it helps the integrity of a competition if a Division 4 team by virtue of a lopsided provincial draw ends up in the AI series, giving stronger teams an easy draw.
Take London the year they made it to the Connacht final (2012?). In this format that only benefits the teams that are drawn out against them. At least this year Down were excluded at the expense of Westmeath. Imagine they were excluded at the expense of London by virtue of wins over Sligo & Leitrim.
Ps - had Leitrim made the Connacht final this year, they would have been there on merit!
Quote from: APM on May 05, 2026, 02:57:29 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 05, 2026, 12:33:30 PMI think the first thing that needs addressed is the ability of provinces to seed teams which directly impacts on the All Ireland series. For example had Cork drawn Kerry in an open draw in the Munster Semi final Cavan would now be in the Tailtean cup. That to me seems extremely unfair.
As does this idea of half avoiding repeat fixtures. Again impacted by seeding control by a province. It creates an unlevel playing field.
Disagree, don't think it helps the integrity of a competition if a Division 4 team by virtue of a lopsided provincial draw ends up in the AI series, giving stronger teams an easy draw.
Take London the year they made it to the Connacht final (2012?). In this format that only benefits the teams that are drawn out against them. At least this year Down were excluded at the expense of Westmeath. Imagine they were excluded at the expense of London by virtue of wins over Sligo & Leitrim.
Ps - had Leitrim made the Connacht final this year, they would have been there on merit!
Yeah thats a good point.
Probably no perfect solution
Had Leitrim made the Connacht final, I believe they would have had done what no county had to do in Ulster, Leinster, or Munster - beat a Div 1 team to make their provincial final. Am I wrong in thinking only we had to do that?
Quote from: weareros on May 05, 2026, 04:04:50 PMHad Leitrim made the Connacht final, I believe they would have had done what no county had to do in Ulster, Leinster, or Munster - beat a Div 1 team to make their provincial final. Am I wrong in thinking only we had to do that?
Are we counting promoted teams as well? Didn't Westmeath beat Meath?
Quote from: weareros on May 05, 2026, 04:04:50 PMHad Leitrim made the Connacht final, I believe they would have had done what no county had to do in Ulster, Leinster, or Munster - beat a Div 1 team to make their provincial final. Am I wrong in thinking only we had to do that?
Am I reading that wrong? Tyrone would have had to beat a division 1 team (Armagh) Down would have had to beat 2 (Armagh/Donegal) Derry would have had to beat Monaghan (D1 this year). Westmeath had to beat Meath (D1 next year), Louth would have had to beat the Dubs (D1 this year)
Quote from: The Boy Wonder on May 05, 2026, 12:51:08 PMQuote from: mup on May 05, 2026, 12:42:08 PMNow go put money on the opposite of what I said ;D
No, no, no.......put your money on the opposite of what Moonster predicts :)
;D I should have held tough till he made his choices.
TV/streaming coverage deal for the All-Ireland Football Series:
QuoteRound 1 (8 Games):
6 - GAA+
2 - RTÉ
Round 2 (8 Games):
3 - GAA+
2 - RTÉ
Round 3 (4 Games):
3 - GAA+
1 - RTÉ
QFs (4 Games):
2 - GAA+
2 - RTÉ
SFs (2 Games):
2 - RTÉ/BBC
Final (1 Game):
1 - RTÉ/BBC
50 on
Kerry
Mayo
Galway
Armagh
Louth
Westmeath
Tyrone
Meath
Printing money
Quote from: Rossfan on May 05, 2026, 12:58:38 PMWill Dublin be using their home ground or "neutral Croke Park"?
Play it in Parnells. Won't even fill that.
Quote from: Blowitupref on May 05, 2026, 06:27:08 PMTV/streaming coverage deal for the All-Ireland Football Series:
QuoteRound 2 (8 Games):
3 - GAA+
2 - RTÉ
Why only 5 games covered for this round? Some teams will be leaving that day, while other games will feature the winners from Round 1 so possibly attractive combinations e.g. Mayo/Galway, Donegal/Tyrone or Armagh/Dublin. Surely GAA+ can rise to cover them all this stage?
Quote from: APM on May 05, 2026, 02:57:29 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 05, 2026, 12:33:30 PMI think the first thing that needs addressed is the ability of provinces to seed teams which directly impacts on the All Ireland series. For example had Cork drawn Kerry in an open draw in the Munster Semi final Cavan would now be in the Tailtean cup. That to me seems extremely unfair.
As does this idea of half avoiding repeat fixtures. Again impacted by seeding control by a province. It creates an unlevel playing field.
Disagree, don't think it helps the integrity of a competition if a Division 4 team by virtue of a lopsided provincial draw ends up in the AI series, giving stronger teams an easy draw.
Take London the year they made it to the Connacht final (2012?). In this format that only benefits the teams that are drawn out against them. At least this year Down were excluded at the expense of Westmeath. Imagine they were excluded at the expense of London by virtue of wins over Sligo & Leitrim.
Ps - had Leitrim made the Connacht final this year, they would have been there on merit!
So you think the integrity is maintained by ensuring that some team have an advantage over others on a non merit basis? I'm really not sure I follow.
Quote from: David McKeown on May 05, 2026, 07:02:37 PMQuote from: APM on May 05, 2026, 02:57:29 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 05, 2026, 12:33:30 PMI think the first thing that needs addressed is the ability of provinces to seed teams which directly impacts on the All Ireland series. For example had Cork drawn Kerry in an open draw in the Munster Semi final Cavan would now be in the Tailtean cup. That to me seems extremely unfair.
As does this idea of half avoiding repeat fixtures. Again impacted by seeding control by a province. It creates an unlevel playing field.
Disagree, don't think it helps the integrity of a competition if a Division 4 team by virtue of a lopsided provincial draw ends up in the AI series, giving stronger teams an easy draw.
Take London the year they made it to the Connacht final (2012?). In this format that only benefits the teams that are drawn out against them. At least this year Down were excluded at the expense of Westmeath. Imagine they were excluded at the expense of London by virtue of wins over Sligo & Leitrim.
Ps - had Leitrim made the Connacht final this year, they would have been there on merit!
So you think the integrity is maintained by ensuring that some team have an advantage over others on a non merit basis? I'm really not sure I follow.
I'd rather it was weighted to avoid say Tipp getting to a Munster final by beating Waterford and Limerick, they'd be wasting their own and everyone elses time in Sam. Same in Connacht, the big 3 should never be on the same side of the draw.
Quote from: Armagh18 on May 05, 2026, 07:08:21 PMI'd rather it was weighted to avoid say Tipp getting to a Munster final by beating Waterford and Limerick, they'd be wasting their own and everyone elses time in Sam. Same in Connacht, the big 3 should never be on the same side of the draw.
Munster is weighted this year, but that just ensures that Cork and Kerry are inevitably in Sam. Kerry would anyway, but Cork might not be.
Quote from: armaghniac on May 05, 2026, 08:01:04 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 05, 2026, 07:08:21 PMI'd rather it was weighted to avoid say Tipp getting to a Munster final by beating Waterford and Limerick, they'd be wasting their own and everyone elses time in Sam. Same in Connacht, the big 3 should never be on the same side of the draw.
Munster is weighted this year, but that just ensures that Cork and Kerry are inevitably in Sam. Kerry would anyway, but Cork might not be.
Munster even amended their rules Cork could be on opposite side of Kerry in the draw.
Quote from: moonster on May 05, 2026, 09:41:52 PMQuote from: armaghniac on May 05, 2026, 08:01:04 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 05, 2026, 07:08:21 PMI'd rather it was weighted to avoid say Tipp getting to a Munster final by beating Waterford and Limerick, they'd be wasting their own and everyone elses time in Sam. Same in Connacht, the big 3 should never be on the same side of the draw.
Munster is weighted this year, but that just ensures that Cork and Kerry are inevitably in Sam. Kerry would anyway, but Cork might not be.
Munster even amended their rules Cork could be on opposite side of Kerry in the draw.
Clare and Kerry were the seeded teams in Munster this year, as they were last year's finalists.
Next year will be based on league position i.e. Cork and Kerry
Quote from: David McKeown on May 05, 2026, 07:02:37 PMQuote from: APM on May 05, 2026, 02:57:29 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 05, 2026, 12:33:30 PMI think the first thing that needs addressed is the ability of provinces to seed teams which directly impacts on the All Ireland series. For example had Cork drawn Kerry in an open draw in the Munster Semi final Cavan would now be in the Tailtean cup. That to me seems extremely unfair.
As does this idea of half avoiding repeat fixtures. Again impacted by seeding control by a province. It creates an unlevel playing field.
Disagree, don't think it helps the integrity of a competition if a Division 4 team by virtue of a lopsided provincial draw ends up in the AI series, giving stronger teams an easy draw.
Take London the year they made it to the Connacht final (2012?). In this format that only benefits the teams that are drawn out against them. At least this year Down were excluded at the expense of Westmeath. Imagine they were excluded at the expense of London by virtue of wins over Sligo & Leitrim.
Ps - had Leitrim made the Connacht final this year, they would have been there on merit!
So you think the integrity is maintained by ensuring that some team have an advantage over others on a non merit basis? I'm really not sure I follow.
Why is any competition seeded? So the final has the best teams and the top seeds aren't knocking each other out only to leave a one sided spectacle in the final. Galway and Roscommon are there on merit.
The first round of the qualifiers is all the better not to have London there because of a handy draw (say Leitrim & Sligo). The only beneficiary of that would be whoever draws them in rounds 1 and 2 as they might as well have a bye. You get an uneven contest and the overall tournament is skewed because other teams won't have a such a handy draw.
The real question is why would you want teams in there that can't compete? I would seed based on league position by the way.
Quote from: APM on May 05, 2026, 10:29:17 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 05, 2026, 07:02:37 PMQuote from: APM on May 05, 2026, 02:57:29 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 05, 2026, 12:33:30 PMI think the first thing that needs addressed is the ability of provinces to seed teams which directly impacts on the All Ireland series. For example had Cork drawn Kerry in an open draw in the Munster Semi final Cavan would now be in the Tailtean cup. That to me seems extremely unfair.
As does this idea of half avoiding repeat fixtures. Again impacted by seeding control by a province. It creates an unlevel playing field.
Disagree, don't think it helps the integrity of a competition if a Division 4 team by virtue of a lopsided provincial draw ends up in the AI series, giving stronger teams an easy draw.
Take London the year they made it to the Connacht final (2012?). In this format that only benefits the teams that are drawn out against them. At least this year Down were excluded at the expense of Westmeath. Imagine they were excluded at the expense of London by virtue of wins over Sligo & Leitrim.
Ps - had Leitrim made the Connacht final this year, they would have been there on merit!
So you think the integrity is maintained by ensuring that some team have an advantage over others on a non merit basis? I'm really not sure I follow.
Why is any competition seeded? So the final has the best teams and the top seeds aren't knocking each other out only to leave a one sided spectacle in the final. Galway and Roscommon are there on merit.
The first round of the qualifiers is all the better not to have London there because of a handy draw (say Leitrim & Sligo). The only beneficiary of that would be whoever draws them in rounds 1 and 2 as they might as well have a bye. You get an uneven contest and the overall tournament is skewed because other teams won't have a such a handy draw.
The real question is why would you want teams in there that can't compete? I would seed based on league position by the way.
I don't want teams in there that can't compete. I want all teams to have as fair a crack as possible.
It's not a level playing field for one side to have to win one game against any where between the 3rd and 5th best team in their province in order to guarantee the same thing that a team from Ulster might have to beat the three best teams in their province to achieve.
I think any system for the all Ireland has to address this issue.
Personally I'd run the provincial competitions as a completely separate competition
Quote from: David McKeown on May 05, 2026, 10:47:04 PMQuote from: APM on May 05, 2026, 10:29:17 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 05, 2026, 07:02:37 PMQuote from: APM on May 05, 2026, 02:57:29 PMQuote from: David McKeown on May 05, 2026, 12:33:30 PMI think the first thing that needs addressed is the ability of provinces to seed teams which directly impacts on the All Ireland series. For example had Cork drawn Kerry in an open draw in the Munster Semi final Cavan would now be in the Tailtean cup. That to me seems extremely unfair.
As does this idea of half avoiding repeat fixtures. Again impacted by seeding control by a province. It creates an unlevel playing field.
Disagree, don't think it helps the integrity of a competition if a Division 4 team by virtue of a lopsided provincial draw ends up in the AI series, giving stronger teams an easy draw.
Take London the year they made it to the Connacht final (2012?). In this format that only benefits the teams that are drawn out against them. At least this year Down were excluded at the expense of Westmeath. Imagine they were excluded at the expense of London by virtue of wins over Sligo & Leitrim.
Ps - had Leitrim made the Connacht final this year, they would have been there on merit!
So you think the integrity is maintained by ensuring that some team have an advantage over others on a non merit basis? I'm really not sure I follow.
Why is any competition seeded? So the final has the best teams and the top seeds aren't knocking each other out only to leave a one sided spectacle in the final. Galway and Roscommon are there on merit.
The first round of the qualifiers is all the better not to have London there because of a handy draw (say Leitrim & Sligo). The only beneficiary of that would be whoever draws them in rounds 1 and 2 as they might as well have a bye. You get an uneven contest and the overall tournament is skewed because other teams won't have a such a handy draw.
The real question is why would you want teams in there that can't compete? I would seed based on league position by the way.
I don't want teams in there that can't compete. I want all teams to have as fair a crack as possible.
It's not a level playing field for one side to have to win one game against any where between the 3rd and 5th best team in their province in order to guarantee the same thing that a team from Ulster might have to beat the three best teams in their province to achieve.
I think any system for the all Ireland has to address this issue.
Personally I'd run the provincial competitions as a completely separate competition
I get that! I wouldn't as I think you would end up with a glorified McKenna Cup. However, we may already be there. Are Kerry completely focused on the Munster Final with Donegal waiting in the wings?
Re the provincials, the semi finals are now more important than the final itself for the team aspiring to do well in the championship.
Quote from: TyroneTam on May 05, 2026, 12:08:15 PMIs there anything to be said about just going back to the original back door system?? Open draw and one more chance.
The old back door qualifier round system had tumbleweed blowing right through it. Whether this new round system is an improvement on the group stages remains to be seen, but thankfully there's no going back to the back door.
Quote from: Main Street on May 05, 2026, 11:30:06 PMRe the provincials, the semi finals are now more important than the final itself for the team aspiring to do well in the championship.
Probably more meaningful anyway. The draws being made at this time have really undermined the finals imo. Especially Kerry v cork, it's hard to imagine that Kerry will be totally focused on winning that 87th munster when they have donegal looming large on the horizon.
Quote from: onefineday on May 06, 2026, 12:52:47 AMQuote from: Main Street on May 05, 2026, 11:30:06 PMRe the provincials, the semi finals are now more important than the final itself for the team aspiring to do well in the championship.
Probably more meaningful anyway. The draws being made at this time have really undermined the finals imo. Especially Kerry v cork, it's hard to imagine that Kerry will be totally focused on winning that 87th munster when they have donegal looming large on the horizon.
Fair point regarding knowing the draw before the provincial final. Not great in my opinion.
With the exception of Kerry and maybe Galway, the other provincial finalists will be buzzing to win a provincial medal. (I'm including Dublin in that given they've so many new lads in and they didn't win it last year)
One of the issues I have with the condensed season is that I feel it takes away from the excitement and anticipation you used to get building to a big game. This system has amplified that particularly with the draw being made so early. Hopefully that improves when we get to the actual knockout rounds
Dublin v Louth
Cork v Meath
Monaghan v Mayo
Westmeath v Cavan
Kerry v Donegal
Galway v Kildare
Armagh v Derry
Roscommon v Tyrone
Quote from: Main Street on May 05, 2026, 11:30:06 PMRe the provincials, the semi finals are now more important than the final itself for the team aspiring to do well in the championship.
At the risk of repeating myself....
Only the 4 Champions should be seeded/given home draw.
Remaining 12 in the same pot.
(Would prefer if the Group systems had been maintained with tweaks but sin scéalveile)
Let me see if I have this straight:
8 games, with the 8 winners and losers pairing off. The 4 teams that win a second time get a bye to the Quarter final. The 4 teams which lose twice are out. The 8 teams which split their games playoff with four advancing to the QF.
Essentially, when the 8 initial winners meet it's the same as the provincial finals under the old system - the winners going straight to the QF, the losers getting a second chance.
Aren't these additional 20 games redundant? Why not return to the Back Door system? One benefit: there would be time to replay drawn games and no championship games would be decided by a shootout. You know, choose competition integrity over cheap entertainment.
I suppose going back to the old system, the GAA would be seen as having made a mistake changing the system in the first place. We all know bureaucrats never admit when they're wrong.
I shouldn't complain. After all its the GAA. Don't like the system or the rules, just be patient, wait a few years and they'll change again.
When I began watching 15 years ago I thought the unique system and amateur status of the players set the GAA above all other sporting competitions. Unfortunately the former could not be counted on to last.
Reminds me of my younger days, when I'd take a deck of cards or dice and, with my imagination, create my own sports league. After a few seasons I'd get bored with the format and change things up.
The difference is that I was a little kid. What's the GAA's excuse?
Cheer up Eoin.
Quote from: Rossfan on May 06, 2026, 12:17:47 PMCheer up Eoin.
A mature, considered response.
Eoin's right, the constant churn of fixtures, rules, structures, underage groups and split season is putting the casual fan off the GAA.
The GAA brass now have an addiction to tinkering, like Father Ted trying to take the dents out of the car. Every change brings with it 2-3 large consequences and yet the GAA continues to pile up the changes.
I hate this backdoor, second chance nonsense. Straight knock out was the way to go. Provincial champions straight through to quarter finals, losing provincial teams into last 12 and the 8 remaining teams starting out in a preliminary qualifier knock out game to make the last 12. The losing provincial finalists can have a home draw for their last 12 game if you want. Every game then is do or die and straight knockout. What a championship should be.
Quote from: Laois Rising on May 06, 2026, 02:57:31 PMI hate this backdoor, second chance nonsense. Straight knock out was the way to go. Provincial champions straight through to quarter finals, losing provincial teams into last 12 and the 8 remaining teams starting out in a preliminary qualifier knock out game to make the last 12. The losing provincial finalists can have a home draw for their last 12 game if you want. Every game then is do or die and straight knockout. What a championship should be.
Indeed
Must be the Sun!
Quote from: JoG2 on May 06, 2026, 03:33:03 PMQuote from: Laois Rising on May 06, 2026, 02:57:31 PMI hate this backdoor, second chance nonsense. Straight knock out was the way to go. Provincial champions straight through to quarter finals, losing provincial teams into last 12 and the 8 remaining teams starting out in a preliminary qualifier knock out game to make the last 12. The losing provincial finalists can have a home draw for their last 12 game if you want. Every game then is do or die and straight knockout. What a championship should be.
Indeed
Like that idea but the argument against it is the imbalance in the provinces, depending on what mood Cork are in Kerry can get to a quarter final without breaking a sweat, same with Dublin and Leinster.
Provincials are dead. Time to be innovative and have a new structure.
Quote from: Laois Rising on May 06, 2026, 02:57:31 PMI hate this backdoor, second chance nonsense. Straight knock out was the way to go. Provincial champions straight through to quarter finals, losing provincial teams into last 12 and the 8 remaining teams starting out in a preliminary qualifier knock out game to make the last 12. The losing provincial finalists can have a home draw for their last 12 game if you want. Every game then is do or die and straight knockout. What a championship should be.
I understand why nearly 30 years ago the AI Hurling was revamped. Galway were essentially assured of a semi final place, and Ulster was so far behind Leinster and Munster that it made sense that in order to join the "big boys" the Ulster rep ought to have one proper test against a potential AI winner. Hurling was always Munster's game, but at the time Leinster had several pretenders.
Football could have easily carried on without any backdoor. Ultimately it provided a platform for Munster and Leinster teams to lose provincially, without it scuppering their AI track, which was often helped by playing several fixtures in advance of the QFs which built up confidence. The argument used be that it was unfair to end a summer after one game. But in truth, there was still the NFL and the Club game. So it wasn't all a waste.
Quote from: JollyGreenGiant on May 06, 2026, 04:04:46 PMQuote from: Laois Rising on May 06, 2026, 02:57:31 PMI hate this backdoor, second chance nonsense. Straight knock out was the way to go. Provincial champions straight through to quarter finals, losing provincial teams into last 12 and the 8 remaining teams starting out in a preliminary qualifier knock out game to make the last 12. The losing provincial finalists can have a home draw for their last 12 game if you want. Every game then is do or die and straight knockout. What a championship should be.
I understand why nearly 30 years ago the AI Hurling was revamped. Galway were essentially assured of a semi final place, and Ulster was so far behind Leinster and Munster that it made sense that in order to join the "big boys" the Ulster rep ought to have one proper test against a potential AI winner. Hurling was always Munster's game, but at the time Leinster had several pretenders.
Football could have easily carried on without any backdoor. Ultimately it provided a platform for Ulster, Munster and Leinster teams to lose provincially, without it scuppering their AI track, which was often helped by playing several fixtures in advance of the QFs which built up confidence. The argument used be that it was unfair to end a summer after one game. But in truth, there was still the NFL and the Club game. So it wasn't all a waste.
Have your league, then provincials, then after that I'd love to see an unseeded knockout competition, fa cup style.
With around 32 teams, it's almost made for it. 5 rounds, good draws, bad draws, minnow taking out a giant, two favourites meeting in the first round. Unfamiliar matches. Reduced playing season and fixture congestion
Quote from: Solo_run on May 06, 2026, 03:54:49 PMProvincials are dead. Time to be innovative and have a new structure.
wise up.
GAA is rare in that it runs off its main competition in so few games. Of the 16 Sam Maguire teams they'll average about 4-5 outings each, with the finalists getting 7-9 . Compare that with Soccer leagues (30-40), NFL (17 minimum), NBA (82 min) etc.
People will mention the national league, but until something radical changes either in structure or GAA psyche, the league will remain little more than a warm-up competition.
Personally id love if the championship season was much bigger and longer. I'll concede though that attendances were relatively poor for those group stage games, so perhaps that isn't the popular public view. What they've come up with is a decent compromise imo
I'll never understand anyone wanting a return to straight knockout, or anything close to it.
1) You're asking your counties players to train for 9 months, for what may be one solitary outing.
2) How can you dislike top level football enough to potentially watch your team play 1 game of football all summer, all in the name of "jeopardy"?
Fcuk jeopardy. The more football the better
Quote from: Manning18 on May 06, 2026, 04:21:58 PMGAA is rare in that it runs off its main competition in so few games. Of the 16 Sam Maguire teams they'll average about 4-5 outings each, with the finalists getting 7-9 . Compare that with Soccer leagues (30-40), NFL (17 minimum), NBA (82 min) etc.
People will mention the national league, but until something radical changes either in structure or GAA psyche, the league will remain little more than a warm-up competition.
Personally id love if the championship season was much bigger and longer. I'll concede though that attendances were relatively poor for those group stage games, so perhaps that isn't the popular public view. What they've come up with is a decent compromise imo
I'll never understand anyone wanting a return to straight knockout, or anything close to it.
1) You're asking your counties players to train for 9 months, for what may be one solitary outing.
2) How can you dislike top level football enough to potentially watch your team play 1 game of football all summer, all in the name of "jeopardy"?
Fcuk jeopardy. The more football the better
Easy. First, it enhances the excitement factor of games. Second, county teams also train for the League (the fact that a culture of irrelevance has been applied to it is not a reason to ignore it). Third, it provides for a more open competition where a "giant killing" can lead to greater rewards as opposed to further rounds before you meet a Kerry who beat you.
There remains plenty of football if the fan is interested and having one extra game (for some counties) isn't going to make a blind bit of difference.
Quote from: Manning18 on May 06, 2026, 04:21:58 PMGAA is rare in that it runs off its main competition in so few games. Of the 16 Sam Maguire teams they'll average about 4-5 outings each, with the finalists getting 7-9 . Compare that with Soccer leagues (30-40), NFL (17 minimum), NBA (82 min) etc.
People will mention the national league, but until something radical changes either in structure or GAA psyche, the league will remain little more than a warm-up competition.
Personally id love if the championship season was much bigger and longer. I'll concede though that attendances were relatively poor for those group stage games, so perhaps that isn't the popular public view. What they've come up with is a decent compromise imo
I'll never understand anyone wanting a return to straight knockout, or anything close to it.
1) You're asking your counties players to train for 9 months, for what may be one solitary outing.
2) How can you dislike top level football enough to potentially watch your team play 1 game of football all summer, all in the name of "jeopardy"?
Fcuk jeopardy. The more football the better
I've always said this. Under the original straight knockout system, 16 teams only had 1 championship game a year, 8 teams had 2.
For those of us old enough to remember, half of Ireland their county had 1 championship game in the early summer and that was it all over.
Its no way to promote a brand or competition at all.
Quote from: RedHand88 on May 06, 2026, 04:31:43 PMQuote from: Manning18 on May 06, 2026, 04:21:58 PMGAA is rare in that it runs off its main competition in so few games. Of the 16 Sam Maguire teams they'll average about 4-5 outings each, with the finalists getting 7-9 . Compare that with Soccer leagues (30-40), NFL (17 minimum), NBA (82 min) etc.
People will mention the national league, but until something radical changes either in structure or GAA psyche, the league will remain little more than a warm-up competition.
Personally id love if the championship season was much bigger and longer. I'll concede though that attendances were relatively poor for those group stage games, so perhaps that isn't the popular public view. What they've come up with is a decent compromise imo
I'll never understand anyone wanting a return to straight knockout, or anything close to it.
1) You're asking your counties players to train for 9 months, for what may be one solitary outing.
2) How can you dislike top level football enough to potentially watch your team play 1 game of football all summer, all in the name of "jeopardy"?
Fcuk jeopardy. The more football the better
I've always said this. Under the original straight knockout system, 16 teams only had 1 championship game a year, 8 teams had 2.
For those of us old enough to remember, half of Ireland their county had 1 championship game in the early summer and that was it all over.
Its no way to promote a brand or competition at all.
I'm sure there are many men who were very fine footballers in their day from weaker counties who were lucky if they accumulated a total of 10-15 championship matches over their entire careers.
Declan Browne, an elite level corner forward, played 25 championship matches for Tipperary, and that is with the second half of his career falling in the era of the qualifier system. He'd be a leading star of the game if he played today given the greater exposure afforded by the expanded intercounty set up.
The idea of going back to one-and-done is absolute madness.
Quote from: RedHand88 on May 06, 2026, 04:31:43 PMQuote from: Manning18 on May 06, 2026, 04:21:58 PMGAA is rare in that it runs off its main competition in so few games. Of the 16 Sam Maguire teams they'll average about 4-5 outings each, with the finalists getting 7-9 . Compare that with Soccer leagues (30-40), NFL (17 minimum), NBA (82 min) etc.
People will mention the national league, but until something radical changes either in structure or GAA psyche, the league will remain little more than a warm-up competition.
Personally id love if the championship season was much bigger and longer. I'll concede though that attendances were relatively poor for those group stage games, so perhaps that isn't the popular public view. What they've come up with is a decent compromise imo
I'll never understand anyone wanting a return to straight knockout, or anything close to it.
1) You're asking your counties players to train for 9 months, for what may be one solitary outing.
2) How can you dislike top level football enough to potentially watch your team play 1 game of football all summer, all in the name of "jeopardy"?
Fcuk jeopardy. The more football the better
I've always said this. Under the original straight knockout system, 16 teams only had 1 championship game a year, 8 teams had 2.
For those of us old enough to remember, half of Ireland their county had 1 championship game in the early summer and that was it all over.
Its no way to promote a brand or competition at all.
And yet some of the most famous games happened under that system. Down v Derry in 1994 springs to mind. Tailteann Park used be wedged for the early games in the Leinster Championship. Perhaps unfortunate, but it was also good exposure for just how competitive and do-or-die the competition was. As a supporter you just got on with it if your county went out in June.
Quote from: J70 on May 06, 2026, 04:41:49 PMQuote from: RedHand88 on May 06, 2026, 04:31:43 PMQuote from: Manning18 on May 06, 2026, 04:21:58 PMGAA is rare in that it runs off its main competition in so few games. Of the 16 Sam Maguire teams they'll average about 4-5 outings each, with the finalists getting 7-9 . Compare that with Soccer leagues (30-40), NFL (17 minimum), NBA (82 min) etc.
People will mention the national league, but until something radical changes either in structure or GAA psyche, the league will remain little more than a warm-up competition.
Personally id love if the championship season was much bigger and longer. I'll concede though that attendances were relatively poor for those group stage games, so perhaps that isn't the popular public view. What they've come up with is a decent compromise imo
I'll never understand anyone wanting a return to straight knockout, or anything close to it.
1) You're asking your counties players to train for 9 months, for what may be one solitary outing.
2) How can you dislike top level football enough to potentially watch your team play 1 game of football all summer, all in the name of "jeopardy"?
Fcuk jeopardy. The more football the better
I've always said this. Under the original straight knockout system, 16 teams only had 1 championship game a year, 8 teams had 2.
For those of us old enough to remember, half of Ireland their county had 1 championship game in the early summer and that was it all over.
Its no way to promote a brand or competition at all.
I'm sure there are many men who were very fine footballers in their day from weaker counties who were lucky if they accumulated a total of 10-15 championship matches over their entire careers.
Declan Browne, an elite level corner forward, played 25 championship matches for Tipperary, and that is with the second half of his career falling in the era of the qualifier system. He'd be a leading star of the game if he played today given the greater exposure afforded by the expanded intercounty set up.
The idea of going back to one-and-done is absolute madness.
What "expanded intercounty setup"?
Tipperary are in Division 4, and play in the Tailteann cup. How much exposure do they (or Leitrim/Waterford etc) normally get? 20 seconds highlights on RTE Maybe?
An open championship draw, as suggested earlier, and a good championship run/favourable draw, would do wonders for exposure of such players. Being stuck in the Tailteann cup won't .
Quote from: JollyGreenGiant on May 06, 2026, 04:43:02 PMQuote from: RedHand88 on May 06, 2026, 04:31:43 PMQuote from: Manning18 on May 06, 2026, 04:21:58 PMGAA is rare in that it runs off its main competition in so few games. Of the 16 Sam Maguire teams they'll average about 4-5 outings each, with the finalists getting 7-9 . Compare that with Soccer leagues (30-40), NFL (17 minimum), NBA (82 min) etc.
People will mention the national league, but until something radical changes either in structure or GAA psyche, the league will remain little more than a warm-up competition.
Personally id love if the championship season was much bigger and longer. I'll concede though that attendances were relatively poor for those group stage games, so perhaps that isn't the popular public view. What they've come up with is a decent compromise imo
I'll never understand anyone wanting a return to straight knockout, or anything close to it.
1) You're asking your counties players to train for 9 months, for what may be one solitary outing.
2) How can you dislike top level football enough to potentially watch your team play 1 game of football all summer, all in the name of "jeopardy"?
Fcuk jeopardy. The more football the better
I've always said this. Under the original straight knockout system, 16 teams only had 1 championship game a year, 8 teams had 2.
For those of us old enough to remember, half of Ireland their county had 1 championship game in the early summer and that was it all over.
Its no way to promote a brand or competition at all.
And yet some of the most famous games happened under that system. Down v Derry in 1994 springs to mind. Tailteann Park used be wedged for the early games in the Leinster Championship. Perhaps unfortunate, but it was also good exposure for just how competitive and do-or-die the competition was. As a supporter you just got on with it if your county went out in June.
Don't forget Meath v Dublin in 1991.
At least when Meath overcame Dublin , and Down overcame Derry , they knew the team they defeated was gone. The path was clearing. Now, you could beat a big team and you know you'll probably be meeting them again in a few weeks .
Cork beat Kerry a few times in Munster , but could just never get over them later on.
Imagine the buzz around Kerry/Donegal next week if it was do or die. Realistically if you're beat twice your year should probably be over, but Donegal know they can afford to lose, obviously wouldn't be good for them but not a total disaster.
Teams playing 23/24 May will have a 3 week wait for Round 2A/B.
Then possibly 3 games in 3 weekends.
Meanwhile Cork to play Meath and any subsequent home games in Páirc Uí Rinn.
GAA+ to show Kerry/Donegal and Meath/Cork on Saturday 23rd.
Presumably Ros and Galway games on the Sunday?
Quote from: Armagh18 on May 06, 2026, 04:09:24 PMQuote from: Solo_run on May 06, 2026, 03:54:49 PMProvincials are dead. Time to be innovative and have a new structure.
wise up.
Exactly, Clones will be sold out on final day and hopefully a competitive final that has the crowd on tenterhooks. But hypothetically, if Brannigan was given a choice of beating either Mayo and progressing to the next phase (with all that jeopardy and likely elimination on or before semi final) or Armagh, who might he choose?
Quote from: Main Street on May 06, 2026, 09:48:03 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 06, 2026, 04:09:24 PMQuote from: Solo_run on May 06, 2026, 03:54:49 PMProvincials are dead. Time to be innovative and have a new structure.
wise up.
Exactly, Clones will be sold out on final day and hopefully a competitive final that has the crowd on tenterhooks. But hypothetically, if Brannigan was given a choice of beating either Mayo or Armagh, who would he choose?
Armagh. Not even close.
Quote from: Solo_run on May 06, 2026, 03:54:49 PMProvincials are dead. Time to be innovative and have a new structure.
Trying to be innovative and having new structures has been tried often now.
Why will the upcoming Ulster,Connacht finals be close to sell outs and Kerry v Cork final have a healthy crowd also if dead?
Quote from: Armagh18 on May 06, 2026, 09:49:51 PMQuote from: Main Street on May 06, 2026, 09:48:03 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 06, 2026, 04:09:24 PMQuote from: Solo_run on May 06, 2026, 03:54:49 PMProvincials are dead. Time to be innovative and have a new structure.
wise up.
Exactly, Clones will be sold out on final day and hopefully a competitive final that has the crowd on tenterhooks. But hypothetically, if Brannigan was given a choice of beating either Mayo or Armagh, who would he choose?
Armagh. Not even close.
We have beaten Armagh in the championship, beating Mayo would be an elevation of sorts.
Why, is a Ulster title not worth sthing, only 1 team can win a All-Ireland, u get nothing for getting to a semi or final and losing, as you would know.
I think the group stage that we had last season was grand. The only change I would have is that only 2 from each group go through instead of 3.
Quote from: Armagh18 on May 06, 2026, 09:49:51 PMQuote from: Main Street on May 06, 2026, 09:48:03 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 06, 2026, 04:09:24 PMQuote from: Solo_run on May 06, 2026, 03:54:49 PMProvincials are dead. Time to be innovative and have a new structure.
wise up.
Exactly, Clones will be sold out on final day and hopefully a competitive final that has the crowd on tenterhooks. But hypothetically, if Brannigan was given a choice of beating either Mayo or Armagh, who would he choose?
Armagh. Not even close.
Yeah Armagh every day of the week and twice on a Sunday.
I can't imagine Bannigan telling the grandchildren in 40 years time about the day he captained Monaghan to beat Mayo in a competition they aren't going to win. Now telling them about the day he walked up the steps in Clones to lift an Ulster title after beating Armagh. . .
Quote from: Manning18 on May 06, 2026, 04:21:58 PMGAA is rare in that it runs off its main competition in so few games. Of the 16 Sam Maguire teams they'll average about 4-5 outings each, with the finalists getting 7-9 . Compare that with Soccer leagues (30-40), NFL (17 minimum), NBA (82 min) etc.
People will mention the national league, but until something radical changes either in structure or GAA psyche, the league will remain little more than a warm-up competition.
Personally id love if the championship season was much bigger and longer. I'll concede though that attendances were relatively poor for those group stage games, so perhaps that isn't the popular public view. What they've come up with is a decent compromise imo
I'll never understand anyone wanting a return to straight knockout, or anything close to it.
1) You're asking your counties players to train for 9 months, for what may be one solitary outing.
2) How can you dislike top level football enough to potentially watch your team play 1 game of football all summer, all in the name of "jeopardy"?
Fcuk jeopardy. The more football the better
In those other sport leagues you are talking about club teams and seasons lasting up to 10 months! The county teams are all-star teams, like World Cup soccer teams. How many games will a team play at the WC this summer(if it's held)? Yes I know, for Iran, it will be zero.
A good point was made that something had to be done about hurling in the 1990s. It's also true that the original system gave Kerry a soft route to the AI football Semi Final.
With the inter-county championship being the "Jewel in the GAA Crown", one and out for so many counties was too abrupt. I thought the back door system was a good compromise. Gave teams a second chance. Plus with no extra time and no shootouts, counties could get Replayed games - Dublin v Meath '91 the most famous example.
Lots of suggestions here. Plenty of ideas with some merit. I'm sure everyone has their opinion on what system they prefer. In other words, the moment you change the original format, you step on a slippery slope.
When they changed to the back door system, the deal should have been: this is it! If we don't stick with it then we go back to the four provincial champs in the Semi Finals.
At what point do endless changes destroy GAA credibility?
Quote from: square_ball on May 07, 2026, 09:56:28 AMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 06, 2026, 09:49:51 PMQuote from: Main Street on May 06, 2026, 09:48:03 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 06, 2026, 04:09:24 PMQuote from: Solo_run on May 06, 2026, 03:54:49 PMProvincials are dead. Time to be innovative and have a new structure.
wise up.
Exactly, Clones will be sold out on final day and hopefully a competitive final that has the crowd on tenterhooks. But hypothetically, if Brannigan was given a choice of beating either Mayo or Armagh, who would he choose?
Armagh. Not even close.
Yeah Armagh every day of the week and twice on a Sunday.
I can't imagine Bannigan telling the grandchildren in 40 years time about the day he captained Monaghan to beat Mayo in a competition they aren't going to win. Now telling them about the day he walked up the steps in Clones to lift an Ulster title after beating Armagh. . .
At least the All-Ireland Championship will still be there in 40 years, will the Ulster Championship?
Might be like someone boasting about winning the Oireachtas Cup these days.
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on May 06, 2026, 10:57:17 PMWhy, is a Ulster title not worth sthing, only 1 team can win a All-Ireland, u get nothing for getting to a semi or final and losing, as you would know.
only one team can win an Ulster each year also.........
Quote from: AustinPowers on May 06, 2026, 06:44:40 PMQuote from: J70 on May 06, 2026, 04:41:49 PMQuote from: RedHand88 on May 06, 2026, 04:31:43 PMQuote from: Manning18 on May 06, 2026, 04:21:58 PMGAA is rare in that it runs off its main competition in so few games. Of the 16 Sam Maguire teams they'll average about 4-5 outings each, with the finalists getting 7-9 . Compare that with Soccer leagues (30-40), NFL (17 minimum), NBA (82 min) etc.
People will mention the national league, but until something radical changes either in structure or GAA psyche, the league will remain little more than a warm-up competition.
Personally id love if the championship season was much bigger and longer. I'll concede though that attendances were relatively poor for those group stage games, so perhaps that isn't the popular public view. What they've come up with is a decent compromise imo
I'll never understand anyone wanting a return to straight knockout, or anything close to it.
1) You're asking your counties players to train for 9 months, for what may be one solitary outing.
2) How can you dislike top level football enough to potentially watch your team play 1 game of football all summer, all in the name of "jeopardy"?
Fcuk jeopardy. The more football the better
I've always said this. Under the original straight knockout system, 16 teams only had 1 championship game a year, 8 teams had 2.
For those of us old enough to remember, half of Ireland their county had 1 championship game in the early summer and that was it all over.
Its no way to promote a brand or competition at all.
I'm sure there are many men who were very fine footballers in their day from weaker counties who were lucky if they accumulated a total of 10-15 championship matches over their entire careers.
Declan Browne, an elite level corner forward, played 25 championship matches for Tipperary, and that is with the second half of his career falling in the era of the qualifier system. He'd be a leading star of the game if he played today given the greater exposure afforded by the expanded intercounty set up.
The idea of going back to one-and-done is absolute madness.
What "expanded intercounty setup"?
Tipperary are in Division 4, and play in the Tailteann cup. How much exposure do they (or Leitrim/Waterford etc) normally get? 20 seconds highlights on RTE Maybe?
An open championship draw, as suggested earlier, and a good championship run/favourable draw, would do wonders for exposure of such players. Being stuck in the Tailteann cup won't .
Maybe, maybe not, but I wasn't arguing FOR the Tailteann per se, although it's much better in my opinion than the alternative of being nothing but a whipping boy when you're already in that position in your province. But let's say someone of Browne's class WAS playing in the Tailteann, especially the latter stages, would that not attract spectators and tv viewers? He may be a freak of nature, but Clifford on his own pulls a lot of people and viewers towards games.
Regardless, I'm for more championship matches for all counties, full stop. I'm less concerned with the details of how that's accomplished than with the thought of going back to the old days when your summer was over, for the majority, by June (or April these days). If the GAA want to trial different formats and come to a decision later about what works best based on attendances and enthusiasm for what is on show, I'm all for it.
When I explain too people over here we've a league competition that nobody really wants to win they all laugh and can't understand it as it doesn't make sense and their right!
Get rid of the league, find a way of creating some sort of advantage for winning a provincial title, split the championship into Senior/Intermediate/Junior and find a way of creating enough jeopardy. A 10 team Sam Maguire, 5 home games and 4 away games for a provincial winner. Top 2 into a semi final, 3-6 into the quarter finals and 9th & 10th are relegated. It would be great viewing and very few games that meant nothing.
Details on the first 4 games in round 1 confirmed today.
Saturday 23rd May
Kerry v Donegal - Fitzgerald Stadium 3pm on GAA+
Cork v Meath - Paric UI Rinn 5.30pm on GAA+
Galway v Kildare - Pearse Stadium 7.30pm RTE
Sunday 24th
Roscommon v Tyrone - Dr Hyde Park 2pm on GAA+
Quote from: Maroon Manc on May 07, 2026, 01:04:14 PMWhen I explain too people over here we've a league competition that nobody really wants to win they all laugh and can't understand it as it doesn't make sense and their right!
Get rid of the league, find a way of creating some sort of advantage for winning a provincial title, split the championship into Senior/Intermediate/Junior and find a way of creating enough jeopardy. A 10 team Sam Maguire, 5 home games and 4 away games for a provincial winner. Top 2 into a semi final, 3-6 into the quarter finals and 9th & 10th are relegated. It would be great viewing and very few games that meant nothing.
The difficulty is unlike hurling where counties were happy to "give up the ghost", football is far more enfranchised and all counties want a cut at Sam Maguire, even if they know it is remote.
Quote from: Maroon Manc on May 07, 2026, 01:04:14 PMWhen I explain too people over here we've a league competition that nobody really wants to win they all laugh and can't understand it as it doesn't make sense and their right!
Get rid of the league, find a way of creating some sort of advantage for winning a provincial title, split the championship into Senior/Intermediate/Junior and find a way of creating enough jeopardy. A 10 team Sam Maguire, 5 home games and 4 away games for a provincial winner. Top 2 into a semi final, 3-6 into the quarter finals and 9th & 10th are relegated. It would be great viewing and very few games that meant nothing.
Competition for the elites you seek? As it stands we barely have a top 5 it's ever changing in a healthy competitive state. The focus should be to make the league more important and as for the provincial championships all they had to do was just seed the winner.
QuoteWhen I explain too people over here we've a league competition that nobody really wants to win they all laugh and can't understand it as it doesn't make sense and their right!
Get rid of the league, find a way of creating some sort of advantage for winning a provincial title, split the championship into Senior/Intermediate/Junior and find a way of creating enough jeopardy. A 10 team Sam Maguire, 5 home games and 4 away games for a provincial winner. Top 2 into a semi final, 3-6 into the quarter finals and 9th & 10th are relegated. It would be great viewing and very few games that meant nothing.
Only 10 teams? You'd be sick of looking at each other
There's something very futile about these group stages/back doors, lose three games but you're still in it craic. Teams like Kerry and Dublin could have a couple of off days and still win the All Ireland. Shadow boxing nonsense.
I remember after Down beat champion Derry in 94, thinking they could go on and win Sam, now a big hitter is out. And they did.
Current formats suit big teams with big squads , who can handle injuries/an off day.... and little chance for teams even just below the top 2 or 3 - eg. Monaghan Kildare Derry Louth etc of ever realistically winning an All Ireland. Cut throat do or die knockout clashes are really missed these days.
You're making a great argument for an 11 aside Cup competition with no subs.
Quote from: JollyGreenGiant on May 07, 2026, 01:07:28 PMQuote from: Maroon Manc on May 07, 2026, 01:04:14 PMWhen I explain too people over here we've a league competition that nobody really wants to win they all laugh and can't understand it as it doesn't make sense and their right!
Get rid of the league, find a way of creating some sort of advantage for winning a provincial title, split the championship into Senior/Intermediate/Junior and find a way of creating enough jeopardy. A 10 team Sam Maguire, 5 home games and 4 away games for a provincial winner. Top 2 into a semi final, 3-6 into the quarter finals and 9th & 10th are relegated. It would be great viewing and very few games that meant nothing.
The difficulty is unlike hurling where counties were happy to "give up the ghost", football is far more enfranchised and all counties want a cut at Sam Maguire, even if they know it is remote.
But they all do have a cut at Sam, if you aren't good enough to get up the leagues and not good enough to get to a provincial final then you don't deserve a chance. The TC and leagues are great for teams to develop and push themselves up the ranks.
Quote from: Armagh18 on May 07, 2026, 03:14:58 PMQuote from: JollyGreenGiant on May 07, 2026, 01:07:28 PMQuote from: Maroon Manc on May 07, 2026, 01:04:14 PMWhen I explain too people over here we've a league competition that nobody really wants to win they all laugh and can't understand it as it doesn't make sense and their right!
Get rid of the league, find a way of creating some sort of advantage for winning a provincial title, split the championship into Senior/Intermediate/Junior and find a way of creating enough jeopardy. A 10 team Sam Maguire, 5 home games and 4 away games for a provincial winner. Top 2 into a semi final, 3-6 into the quarter finals and 9th & 10th are relegated. It would be great viewing and very few games that meant nothing.
The difficulty is unlike hurling where counties were happy to "give up the ghost", football is far more enfranchised and all counties want a cut at Sam Maguire, even if they know it is remote.
But they all do have a cut at Sam, if you aren't good enough to get up the leagues and not good enough to get to a provincial final then you don't deserve a chance. The TC and leagues are great for teams to develop and push themselves up the ranks.
would your opinion be the same had the TC been about when we were in div3 and couldnt win a game in Ulster nevermind make a final?
Quote from: tonto1888 on May 08, 2026, 08:32:24 AMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 07, 2026, 03:14:58 PMQuote from: JollyGreenGiant on May 07, 2026, 01:07:28 PMQuote from: Maroon Manc on May 07, 2026, 01:04:14 PMWhen I explain too people over here we've a league competition that nobody really wants to win they all laugh and can't understand it as it doesn't make sense and their right!
Get rid of the league, find a way of creating some sort of advantage for winning a provincial title, split the championship into Senior/Intermediate/Junior and find a way of creating enough jeopardy. A 10 team Sam Maguire, 5 home games and 4 away games for a provincial winner. Top 2 into a semi final, 3-6 into the quarter finals and 9th & 10th are relegated. It would be great viewing and very few games that meant nothing.
The difficulty is unlike hurling where counties were happy to "give up the ghost", football is far more enfranchised and all counties want a cut at Sam Maguire, even if they know it is remote.
But they all do have a cut at Sam, if you aren't good enough to get up the leagues and not good enough to get to a provincial final then you don't deserve a chance. The TC and leagues are great for teams to develop and push themselves up the ranks.
would your opinion be the same had the TC been about when we were in div3 and couldnt win a game in Ulster nevermind make a final?
Yes. Best we could hope for then a decent draw in the back door against similar level teams which we got in was it 2017 against the likes of Kildare before being tanked against Tyrone.
At the time we'd have probably had a decent chance at a TC and would have been realistic silverware when we were well behind Tyrone and Donegal in Ulster never mind Kerry/Dublin/Mayo.
Quote from: Armagh18 on May 07, 2026, 03:14:58 PMThe TC and leagues are great for teams to develop and push themselves up the ranks.
I am not sure the TC or league is serving that purpose as of the 4 winners only Meath have escaped the yo yo of Division 2 to 3. And without the group stage of All Ireland the TC cup winners are now likely to get fewer games at the top level than before.
A league of 3 divisions 10/10/12 with 2 up 2 down. No league finals. Provincial winners and TC winners from year before plus next best 11 from the league into the All Ireland. (16 teams in whatever format they want)
Could have provincial rounds scheduled during the league if they wanted a bit of knockout action spread across the season.
Quote from: Armagh18 on May 08, 2026, 09:55:50 AMQuote from: tonto1888 on May 08, 2026, 08:32:24 AMQuote from: Armagh18 on May 07, 2026, 03:14:58 PMQuote from: JollyGreenGiant on May 07, 2026, 01:07:28 PMQuote from: Maroon Manc on May 07, 2026, 01:04:14 PMWhen I explain too people over here we've a league competition that nobody really wants to win they all laugh and can't understand it as it doesn't make sense and their right!
Get rid of the league, find a way of creating some sort of advantage for winning a provincial title, split the championship into Senior/Intermediate/Junior and find a way of creating enough jeopardy. A 10 team Sam Maguire, 5 home games and 4 away games for a provincial winner. Top 2 into a semi final, 3-6 into the quarter finals and 9th & 10th are relegated. It would be great viewing and very few games that meant nothing.
The difficulty is unlike hurling where counties were happy to "give up the ghost", football is far more enfranchised and all counties want a cut at Sam Maguire, even if they know it is remote.
But they all do have a cut at Sam, if you aren't good enough to get up the leagues and not good enough to get to a provincial final then you don't deserve a chance. The TC and leagues are great for teams to develop and push themselves up the ranks.
would your opinion be the same had the TC been about when we were in div3 and couldnt win a game in Ulster nevermind make a final?
Yes. Best we could hope for then a decent draw in the back door against similar level teams which we got in was it 2017 against the likes of Kildare before being tanked against Tyrone.
At the time we'd have probably had a decent chance at a TC and would have been realistic silverware when we were well behind Tyrone and Donegal in Ulster never mind Kerry/Dublin/Mayo.
hindsight is 20/20 but at the time you would not have had the same opinion
Meath beat Mayo in Ashbourne in a challenge match during the week. Reportedly two teams full strength. Costello and Jones played for Meath with Jones scoring a goal and coming off with a hamstring strain once again.
Rountine wins for kerry and Galway. I hear Galway lads have the 5 in a row t-shirts ready.
Kerry win All Ireland handy this year
Cork and Connacht teams shite the nest at sight of Kerry jersey
Ulster teams sam now. Plus they struggling with new rules. Jimmy peaked for league and was shown up against Down.
Dubs in transition.
Quote from: moonster on May 10, 2026, 12:24:26 PMRountine wins for kerry and Galway. I hear Galway lads have the 5 in a row t-shirts ready.
Nostradamus.
Quote from: RedHand88 on May 10, 2026, 07:34:43 PMQuote from: moonster on May 10, 2026, 12:24:26 PMRountine wins for kerry and Galway. I hear Galway lads have the 5 in a row t-shirts ready.
Nostradamus.
NostraDUMB-ASS