All-Ireland Series Sam Maguire 2026

[Rossfan]

Will the romance and excitement of the Provincials (some of them!) die in the hard world of the AI series as the ould dogs push the young pups aside?

[Blowitupref]

Westmeath v Cavan match tickets sold out in 5 minutes

[armaghniac]

Westmeath v Cavan match tickets sold out in 5 minutes

If any Cavan people got one, they can resell at a profit on the dark web.

[Baile Brigín 2]

Have we got to the bottom of wondering why there is a national shortage of referees yet ? 🤔 A real puzzler

I was surprisingly old when I learned that intercounty referees don't get paid, while club refs do.

[Wildweasel74]

I didnt even know that.

[Ciarrai_thuaidh]

It's untried at County level.
Crowd predictions-
Kerry v Donegal 14/15k at most.
Can't see other than NFL regulars making the hike from Donegal.
Ros v Tyrone. 12k at most. Tyrone haven't the big army of old while a lot of our once a year crew can't figure anything out beyond a Connacht Final.
Galway v Kildare probably won't break 6k.
Cork v Meath, about the same. Now that doubts persist about Meath being a shoe in for Sam, while Cork CB have shunted the footballers out of the way to Páirc Uí Rinn.

Just 1 predicition and 1 correction there. I think there will be 25k+ in Killarney. Fine weather due over weekend aswell always increases the crowd and it's not on Free to air, so..

And Cork footballers CHOSE to play in Páirc ui Rinn, not shunted up there. Good decision too. They should get a 3/4 full ground, better atmosphere rather than a 3/4 EMPTY Páirc ui Chaoimh. That being said I think if Meath are up to match speed quickly I think they'll win this.

[naka]

Thought the groups worked ok last few years so surprised at yet another change
For me
Donegal
Roscommon
Meath
Louth
Westmeath
Armagh
Mayo
Galway

Altho still think Kerry will be there are there come mid July for the semifinals

[Armagh18]

Thought the groups worked ok last few years so surprised at yet another change
For me
Donegal
Roscommon
Meath
Louth
Westmeath
Armagh
Mayo
Galway

Altho still think Kerry will be there are there come mid July for the semifinals

Agree with all except I think Monaghan might have enough for Mayo especially in Clones, depends how they lift themselves after a disappointing end to Sunday for them. Home advantage might just swing it for Kerry if they get a few bodies back.

Westmeath couldn't ask for a better draw, if it was another team you could see the highs of the weekend and the celebrations taking their toll but they should have too much quality for Cavan especially in front of a sold out home crowd.

[rodney trotter]

Thought the groups worked ok last few years so surprised at yet another change
For me
Donegal
Roscommon
Meath
Louth
Westmeath
Armagh
Mayo
Galway

Altho still think Kerry will be there are there come mid July for the semifinals

There was dead rubber games in the groups which had impact on attendance and the interest in some of the games.

[Armagh18]

Thought the groups worked ok last few years so surprised at yet another change
For me
Donegal
Roscommon
Meath
Louth
Westmeath
Armagh
Mayo
Galway

Altho still think Kerry will be there are there come mid July for the semifinals

There was dead rubber games in the groups which had impact on attendance and the interest in some of the games.

There were very few dead rubbers and most teams always had something to play for

[Rossfan]

11,000 at a Dublin/Ros game in 2024 got HQ panicking, the media moaning and then Jarlath went on a jeopardy rant.
Mind you crowds were up 20% or so last year.

Anyway we'll see how the new system goes.

[J70]

Cannot see Donegal winning down in Killarney, especially with a wounded Kerry out for blood after the league final.

Plus, rumours out of Donegal are that neither Langan or Murphy will feature. Our squad is not that deep in terms of proven experience.

[Armagh18]

Cannot see Donegal winning down in Killarney, especially with a wounded Kerry out for blood after the league final.

Plus, rumours out of Donegal are that neither Langan or Murphy will feature. Our squad is not that deep in terms of proven experience.

Yerra.

[balladmaker]

Cannot see Donegal winning down in Killarney, especially with a wounded Kerry out for blood after the league final.

Plus, rumours out of Donegal are that neither Langan or Murphy will feature. Our squad is not that deep in terms of proven experience.

Murphy won't feature because he's injured or JMcG not wanting to show Kerry too much in Killarney?

[armaghniac]

https://x.com/StatsAndSolos/status/2057058407534715328