All-Ireland Series Sam Maguire 2026

[trileacman]

The 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.

[Iarmhí Abú]

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.

[J70]

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!

Or us!

[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!

Or us!

Yeah please avoid!

[armaghniac]

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!

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.

[Armagh18]

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.

[Blowitupref]

Jack O'Connor

"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."

[onefineday]

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.

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??

[Ronnie]

Valid points

[Main Street]

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

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?

[Maroon Manc]

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.

[armaghniac]

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?

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.

[Armagh18]

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?

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

[TyroneTam]

Is there anything to be said about just going back to the original back door system?? Open draw and one more chance.

[David McKeown]

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.