All-Ireland Series Sam Maguire 2026

[Armagh18]

Murphy supposedly starting, Jason McGee, Langan and Gallen on the bench.

Take from that what you will.

Some serious quality on that bench. Be surprised if no changes to that team.

[David McKeown]

Genuine question but with the current format are you better losing or winning this round?

I know the obvious answer is winning as it gives you two shots at making the quarterfinal but my concern is this.

If you win and we assume everyone at this stage is trying to win then you have the best teams in round 2A so it's a hard match potentially away.

Lose that you are playing the following week against a team coming off a win. You also have to play the following week again.

Alternatively if you lose the first round you have the jeopardy of straight knock out immediately but theoretically against an easier team and then you have some momentum into a preliminary quarterfinal against a team coming off a defeat the weekend before.

I can see advantages to both approaches. I think the teams playing round 1 a bit later have obviously more knowledge who is in which pot for round 2 and they may be a factor.

[Armagh18]

Genuine question but with the current format are you better losing or winning this round?

I know the obvious answer is winning as it gives you two shots at making the quarterfinal but my concern is this.

If you win and we assume everyone at this stage is trying to win then you have the best teams in round 2A so it's a hard match potentially away.

Lose that you are playing the following week against a team coming off a win. You also have to play the following week again.

Alternatively if you lose the first round you have the jeopardy of straight knock out immediately but theoretically against an easier team and then you have some momentum into a preliminary quarterfinal against a team coming off a defeat the weekend before.

I can see advantages to both approaches. I think the teams playing round 1 a bit later have obviously more knowledge who is in which pot for round 2 and they may be a factor.

Lose and you're potentially facing Donegal/Kerry in a do or die game. I know what I'd rather!

[weareros]

Lose and you are one loss from being out with a potential away trip to some top teams; win and you have two shots at a 1/4 final.

[armaghniac]

Genuine question but with the current format are you better losing or winning this round?

I know the obvious answer is winning as it gives you two shots at making the quarterfinal but my concern is this.

If you win and we assume everyone at this stage is trying to win then you have the best teams in round 2A so it's a hard match potentially away.

Lose that you are playing the following week against a team coming off a win. You also have to play the following week again.

Alternatively if you lose the first round you have the jeopardy of straight knock out immediately but theoretically against an easier team and then you have some momentum into a preliminary quarterfinal against a team coming off a defeat the weekend before.

I can see advantages to both approaches. I think the teams playing round 1 a bit later have obviously more knowledge who is in which pot for round 2 and they may be a factor.

The point is that the teams are not seeded directly, it is only their reaching the provincial finals.
In terms of risk, getting the losers of Westmeath/Cavan are below the losers of Kerry/Donegal. You are not guaranteed a weaker time as a loser because the two top-rated teams in the country are playing each other.

[Captain Obvious]

If any team loses this weekend and then finds themselves in the All-Ireland Quarter-final it will be three games in 14 days against a rested Quarter-final opponent.  Best to win this weekend and look to avoid that situation.

[J70]

Murphy supposedly starting, Jason McGee, Langan and Gallen on the bench.

Take from that what you will.

Some serious quality on that bench. Be surprised if no changes to that team.

There is zero chance that listed 15 starts the game.

[David McKeown]

Genuine question but with the current format are you better losing or winning this round?

I know the obvious answer is winning as it gives you two shots at making the quarterfinal but my concern is this.

If you win and we assume everyone at this stage is trying to win then you have the best teams in round 2A so it's a hard match potentially away.

Lose that you are playing the following week against a team coming off a win. You also have to play the following week again.

Alternatively if you lose the first round you have the jeopardy of straight knock out immediately but theoretically against an easier team and then you have some momentum into a preliminary quarterfinal against a team coming off a defeat the weekend before.

I can see advantages to both approaches. I think the teams playing round 1 a bit later have obviously more knowledge who is in which pot for round 2 and they may be a factor.

Lose and you're potentially facing Donegal/Kerry in a do or die game. I know what I'd rather!

True but win or lose you could find yourself facing them in successive matches having to pick yourself up after losing to one of them

My point is I'm not sure a win is as beneficial as it might be.

You could end up with 7 of the top 8 or so teams in Round 2A. So your win could be an away trip to say Kerry. Which if you lose you could have a 6 day turn around to play Donegal.

[Brendan]

Genuine question but with the current format are you better losing or winning this round?

I know the obvious answer is winning as it gives you two shots at making the quarterfinal but my concern is this.

If you win and we assume everyone at this stage is trying to win then you have the best teams in round 2A so it's a hard match potentially away.

Lose that you are playing the following week against a team coming off a win. You also have to play the following week again.

Alternatively if you lose the first round you have the jeopardy of straight knock out immediately but theoretically against an easier team and then you have some momentum into a preliminary quarterfinal against a team coming off a defeat the weekend before.

I can see advantages to both approaches. I think the teams playing round 1 a bit later have obviously more knowledge who is in which pot for round 2 and they may be a factor.

Same format was used in Derry last year, Newbridge lost their first game to Dungiven and went on to win it. Dungivens reward for beating the current champions was to play recent All Ireland champions Glen in round 2A and ended up not making the Quarter final if I remember correctly.

[J70]

Murphy, Langan, McGee and Gallen starting for Donegal. Paudie Clifford and Seanie O'Shea in for Kerry.

McColgan out for Donegal after doing a good job on Clifford in the league final. Shane O'Donnell out too - hopefully not injury as we've little on the bench.

[Captain Obvious]

Murphy, Langan, McGee and Gallen starting for Donegal. Paudie Clifford and Seanie O'Shea in for Kerry.

McColgan out for Donegal after doing a good job on Clifford in the league final. Shane O'Donnell out too - hopefully not injury as we've little on the bench.

This match about to start while your Minors are 40 minutes into their Ulster semi-final. Who comes up with that schedule and do they care at all?

[J70]

Murphy, Langan, McGee and Gallen starting for Donegal. Paudie Clifford and Seanie O'Shea in for Kerry.

McColgan out for Donegal after doing a good job on Clifford in the league final. Shane O'Donnell out too - hopefully not injury as we've little on the bench.

This match about to start while your Minors are 40 minutes into their Ulster semi-final. Who comes up with that schedule and do they care at all?

No clue. Madness.

[J70]

We can't get our hands on the ball at all. And with a strong breeze. Looking ominous.

[gallsman]

Clifford's arm is raised and McGonagle takes a dive.

[Armagh18]

Plenty of bite here. 2 pointers keeping Donegal ahead, enjoyable stuff