All-Ireland Series Sam Maguire 2026

[statto]

when will fixture details be confirmed?

Only 5 of the games are to be televised with 2 on RTE and 3 on GAA+ so will be interesting to see what 3 games lose out.

The TV times will be a key factor on the fixture details.

Louth v Armagh, Rossies v Monaghan, Tyrone v Mayo, Derry v Meath would be four most intriguing ties for me, but hard to see Kerry, Galway, Donegal and Dublin not being shown though. Have a feeling Monaghan and Roscommon miss out which has the potential to be the best game of the lot especially with loser going out.   

[Armagh18]

Kerry and Dublin will be happy enough in the other section especially Kerry. They couldn't have asked for a handier draw.

Warmed balls for sure lol

If Kerry were playing Kildare at home  and Dublin were playing Cavan at home those games would surely be handier?

Cork with the toughest draw - having to play Donegal away, good chance the crowd will be 90%+ Donegal supporters.

It will be interesting to see if there is much of a difference between the do-or-die games down the closing stretch versus the games with a 2nd chance.

Couldn't make it too obvious
Donegal, Galway and Armagh probably all happy enough to avoid each other and the first 2 with a home draw. Cork are a funny team, could cause problems for Donegal but Donegal will have enough. Westmeath a dangerous team, some unreal forwards but looking at the damage Cavan did to them defensively Walsh and Finnerty will have a field day. Westmeath on basically a free hit though having another chance and having already exceeded all expectations for the year.

Louth a serious side with big men and Mulroy and Lennon are 2 of the best players in the country when they're on it. Probably man marking jobs for Joe McElroy and either McKay or Murphy.

Mulroy plays alot deeper so I don't expect McKay or Murphy to track him.  I would personally put TK on him and put him on backfoot especially if Mulroy still carrying an injury.

Murphy tracked Sean O'Shea out the field in the league game, yeah TK an option as well.

[Armagh18]

2500 i think

Non runner then as we've something like 3500 season ticket holders, would Louth have many?

[Rossfan]

Isn't it stated in Rules now that venues have to be approved by CCCC?

[blanketattack]

To appease Dublin, I expect the GAA to give them the later date which will give them Ger Brennan back.

[Armagh18]

Isn't it stated in Rules now that venues have to be approved by CCCC?

Not sure, just remember the shit show in Corrigan last year with the tiny capacity.

[tbrick18]

2500 i think

Non runner then as we've something like 3500 season ticket holders, would Louth have many?

Yeah this was an issue last year with Antrim too - not sure what happened the season ticket holders in that instance.
If I was Louth, I'd definitely want it in Ardee. A really tight pitch which will help them curtail Armagh runs.
I think this will be a really good game - Louth still being underestimated imo. Armagh rightly favourites, but a Louth victory wouldn't be that surprising.

[Armagh18]

2500 i think

Non runner then as we've something like 3500 season ticket holders, would Louth have many?

Yeah this was an issue last year with Antrim too - not sure what happened the season ticket holders in that instance.
If I was Louth, I'd definitely want it in Ardee. A really tight pitch which will help them curtail Armagh runs.
I think this will be a really good game - Louth still being underestimated imo. Armagh rightly favourites, but a Louth victory wouldn't be that surprising.

Apparently it's going to be in Iniskeen.

[blanketattack]

Bookies have it three coin tosses and five formalities.
I'd have it two coin tosses, with Derry a sure thing over Meath.

[Armagh18]

Bookies have it three coin tosses and five formalities.
I'd have it two coin tosses, with Derry a sure thing over Meath.

Derry looked awful the other night, depends which Meath turn up I suppose the one that beat Dublin, Kerry, Galway and won division 2 or the one that folded against Donegal, Westmeath, Cork etc.

[Aaron Boone]

It's a long run for the Cork fans from Castletownbere heading to Letterkenny. 

[jb77]

Who would Slab Murphy be rooting for in Louth vs Armagh?

[Armagh18]

Who would Slab Murphy be rooting for in Louth vs Armagh?

Depends what side of the bed he wakes up on

[twohands!!!]

To appease Dublin, I expect the GAA to give them the later date which will give them Ger Brennan back.

Should really put them down to play Saturday for the craic.

It's a long run for the Cork fans from Castletownbere heading to Letterkenny. 

It will only be the ultra-die-hards who travel ; will be doing very well if more than a thousand Cork supporters travel. Would guess it would be nearer the 500 mark.

[AustinPowers]

That's Dublin and Kerry looked after as expected.
Tough enoigh one for us but the type of game you need to be winning to be an AI contender.

Wouldn't rule out  Cavan beating Dublin

Dublin won't be winning  no All Ireland anyway , so  I wouldn't worry. Kerry handy draw though as usual