All-Ireland Series Sam Maguire 2026

[Armagh18]

Happy 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

[armaghniac]

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

Since round 1 winners play each other that may be tricky.

[Armagh18]

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

Since round 1 winners play each other that may be tricky.

Slightly!

Hard to get used to all these changes

[trileacman]

Happy 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.

[Main Street]

How 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.

[Armagh18]

Happy 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

[bennydorano]

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.

[Stickittotheman]

Happy 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.

[Armagh18]

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.

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!

[Tyrone Dreamer]

Happy 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.

[gallsman]

Of course it matters if you lose ffs.

[cavanmaniac]

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.

[Stickittotheman]

Of 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.

[gallsman]

The jeopardy is that if you lose the next game your season is over. It's not complicated.

[p3427977]

The jeopardy is that if you lose the next game your season is over. It's not complicated.

It's not