Leinster Senior Championship 2026

[Blowitupref]

Westmeath manager Mark McHugh.


I actually feel that's a wee bit unfair.

All the teams that played this weekend have to play next weekend against one of the big four, if you want to call them that.

There should be a two-week break, because they can go and watch [their next Leinster opponent] today. I'm sure Robbie Brennan was out there...

We're looking at Longford since the league, so we need to get studying them [Meath] from tonight on and we'll see what we can bring.

[Dunneroyal]

Westmeath manager Mark McHugh.


I actually feel that's a wee bit unfair.

All the teams that played this weekend have to play next weekend against one of the big four, if you want to call them that.

There should be a two-week break, because they can go and watch [their next Leinster opponent] today. I'm sure Robbie Brennan was out there...

We're looking at Longford since the league, so we need to get studying them [Meath] from tonight on and we'll see what we can bring.

As he would have known that the winners play Meath it would be a bit odd and unprofessional not to look at them ahead of the game

[JollyGreenGiant]

Darragh O Se had an interesting article in The Times today. Dublin have fallen behind quite dramatically and don't have the squad to mount an AI tilt. That being said, they may be in the hunt for Leinster, which will be an exciting province. After years of Dublin cantering to victory, it is anything but a sure thing.

[moonster]

Guaranteed to be Meath and Louth Leinster final with Meath to get revenge.

[Captain Scarlet]

A bit harsh but fair here - https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2026/0415/1568382-spursy-kildare-look-as-vulnerable-as-ever/

I am hearing that there are a good few lads in trouble/ likely missing with hamstring injuries. Beirne being a big one and a couple more.
Laois are not great, but could catch us on the hop if we don't show up. If rumours are true, then we are looking at a tighter game...

[JollyGreenGiant]

I don't like the term "Spursy" in a GAA context, but Kildare have been that side that would appear to be knocking on the door (and their fans would be vocal in agreeing with that) only for some disaster to befall them. There were times when you couldn't trust them to beat some of the weaker counties in Leinster.

My personal view is that in a Championship match Meath would beat them, Dublin probably would, as would Louth.

[Captain Scarlet]

Oh I think we will beat Laois and Meath will be 6-8 points better than us.
Bizarrely against better teams we can play better as the game might be more open. It's when it gets messy or cagey our lack of football IQ really shows up.

[Fogarty]

Dublin team named to face Wicklow.
There is not much to fear there and Wicklow really need to go for the jugular.

DUBLIN (v Wicklow): Evan Comerford; Eoin Murchan, Nathan Doran, David Byrne; Greg McEneaney, Charlie McMorrow, Eoin Kennedy; Brian Howard, Tom Lahiff; Seán Bugler, Niall Scully, Páidí White; Paddy Small, Killian McGinnis, Con O'Callaghan.

[Baile Brigín 2]

Dublin are a shadow of recent teams and nothing coming through, but they will have more than enough for Wicklow

[JollyGreenGiant]

Dublin also have a few experienced options from the bench. Costello is a good example. So even if the game was going south, they have more than enough to claw it back.

That being said, actually seeing the team on paper makes clear just how they have fallen in terms of player quality.

Kilkenny is a loss.

[Lamps]

Removing the imbalance in funding is really starting to bite Dublin now.

[JollyGreenGiant]

Dublin were on the decline after the 5 in a row. They have also suffered from mass retirements within a short space of time. The alleged influence of the imbalance was expected to take years to redress. However, Dublin's decline has coincided with the concurrent loss of some of the best players ever to pull on the blue (or any other colour for that matter). 2023 was the last push, and after that this period was inevitable, as players were not coming through the ranks (even when the funding was still being provided).

[Blowitupref]

[Dunneroyal]

Unlike last year Meath have developed dept , can you imagine what Adam O'Neil Connor duke and in particular James Conlon could do to tired Westmeath legs. Conlon could put 1-6 on in a blink of a eye

[Baile Brigín 2]

Removing the imbalance in funding is really starting to bite Dublin now.

One thing is not linked to the other.

The problem is success on the pitch and punters going to games didn't translate into an increase in kids playing the game. That investment was to stand still versus the competition. The only lasting legacy was Cuala, who are an outstanding success especially in hirling, but eyewateringly expensive to set up.

Dublin happening to have a once in a generation quality senior team just happened to coincide with that funding.