All-Ireland Series Sam Maguire 2026

[MC]

Galway v Dublin - ask me last week and I'd have said Galway. Now I'm not so sure. Dublin have their issues, but they showed up against Donegal and were by far the better side - only for some shocking shooting they would have won by 8+ in normal time. Galway building nicely, key players all fit(ish) for once, capable of winning the whole thing imo. This should be a brilliant game.

Cork v Mayo - probably the draw they both would have wanted. I think Cork will shade it, I don't think either are realistic AI contenders. I saw Mayo first hand against Tyrone - didn't think either of the two were great. Mayo's bench isn't great and their defence are shaky at best. Good keeper though. Cork have been improving - but only time I've seen them live this year was in the league against Derry and they were awful. Only the league, and they did get promotion - close game.

Tyrone v Kerry - can't see past Kerry here. The Tyrone defence will be stretched too thin to cope in the wide open Croke park space (I assume all quarters are in croker?). They also don't have the same calibre of forward that Kerry does, though who does. Sean O'Shea coming back to fitness too is huge. This could be a tanking as I don't buy into the Tyrone coming good thinking. The Tyrone v Mayo game was not a great game, the introduction of Darren McCurry who scored 6 points on the tight Omagh pitch was the difference in the 2 teams and even at that, a fortuitous last minute free gifted Tyrone the win. Kerry brushed Armagh aside quite easily - armagh are bigger and more of a running team than Tyrone are so I'm struggling to see anything but a similar result. However, Tyrone v Kerry can take on a life of its own, so who knows.

Louth v Monaghan - brilliant draw for both of them. Monaghan just have that never say die attitude that you can't coach into a team. I had actually expected Westmeath to beat them, but Monaghan fully deserved their win. Louth have been excellent this year and Mulroy is one of the best footballers in the country. They're well coached and playing in croker will likely suit them. Really struggle to call this one, but I'll go for Louth as they've had an extra week to prepare and rest.

Galway v Dublin - Galway may benefit from Dublin fatigue with a weeks less recovery and extra time on top. Injuries and niggles will also have an impact - Dublin may be hampered in this regard whereas Galway seem to be more injury free than they have been for a long time.

Cork v Mayo - again the weeks extra recovery may tell - but Mayo possibly have better forwards and might prevail if they can restirct Cork's 2 point shooters.

Tyrone - v Kerry - hard to see anything but a Kerry win unless MOR starts living up to his reputation a bit more.
However, the wide open spaces of Croke Park are a myth - Tyrone's home pitch is the same size as Croke Park as are a lot of pitches throughout the country - and about half a dozen are actually larger. If anything, I wonder if Croke Park feels tighter with the high stands - especially when it's a full house.
Armagh's running game wasn't as focused last weekend and I wonder if it can actually leave teams exposed in the turnovers - Kerry scored a few goals on the break with a defence largely missing and exposed.

Louth v Monaghan - probably the hardest to call - but agree the weeks extra recovery - and Monaghan relying on quite a few older players - may be enough of an advantage for some strong Louth men.

I swear this thing about Monaghan being an aging team and overly reliant on aul lads, has been a thing being brought up for like 15 years now...

I actually think the current age profile of the Monaghan squad is as healthy and balanced as it's been for a long long time. We don't have any lads in the panel in their late 30s who are hanging on and playing key roles, which was often the case over the years. Right now it's a nice mix in the squad of young lads bursting through, those in the mid to late 20s who have been around a while and now becoming leaders, and a handful of lads in the early 30s who have tons of experience but still plenty more to give too in most cases. In different games over the past few weeks, we've had big performances from players in all 3 of those categories which has got us to this point.

Appreciate the change in this Monaghan team and a fresh intake over the last few years - but still think they rely a little too much on a number of older heads. Fantsatic to see Jack Mc Carron over the last few weeks but its a big ask for him to do that repeateldly week after week with little break between games. Any team shutting down Mc Carron - not easy - potentially takes 7-8 points off Monaghan's typical tally.

McCarron scored 0-0 against Cavan and Derry it was just the side line so 0-2

In the Ulster Final 0-3

He accounted for 5.88% of their scores in Ulster.....

So maybe do some fact checking research before posting.

In AI Series it's 25% of the scores but for the whole championship it's 15.15%.

Jack Mc Carron has 0-5, 0-7 and 1-5 in his last 3 games - i.e. the three games in this competition.
I think Jack Mc Carron is 34 or will be this year?
25% scores from one of Monaghan's oldest players will be noted elsewhere.
No disrespect to Jack Mc Carron or Monaghan on that - I'll be cheering them on over the weekend.

[Baile Brigín 2]

A dire Dublin team in the last 8 says a lot about the overall quality of Sam this year.

If they can get past Galway they will win it, and that's on your county.

[Captain Obvious]

A dire Dublin team in the last 8 says a lot about the overall quality of Sam this year.

If they can get past Galway they will win it, and that's on your county.

Says alot about the format whereby Dublin Lost to Westmeath in the Leinster final and back door game to Louth. Past formats you would be out instead of in the last 8.

That Dublin team aren't going win the All-Ireland if they get past Galway.

[Captain Obvious]

Galway v Dublin - ask me last week and I'd have said Galway. Now I'm not so sure. Dublin have their issues, but they showed up against Donegal and were by far the better side - only for some shocking shooting they would have won by 8+ in normal time. Galway building nicely, key players all fit(ish) for once, capable of winning the whole thing imo. This should be a brilliant game.

Cork v Mayo - probably the draw they both would have wanted. I think Cork will shade it, I don't think either are realistic AI contenders. I saw Mayo first hand against Tyrone - didn't think either of the two were great. Mayo's bench isn't great and their defence are shaky at best. Good keeper though. Cork have been improving - but only time I've seen them live this year was in the league against Derry and they were awful. Only the league, and they did get promotion - close game.

Tyrone v Kerry - can't see past Kerry here. The Tyrone defence will be stretched too thin to cope in the wide open Croke park space (I assume all quarters are in croker?). They also don't have the same calibre of forward that Kerry does, though who does. Sean O'Shea coming back to fitness too is huge. This could be a tanking as I don't buy into the Tyrone coming good thinking. The Tyrone v Mayo game was not a great game, the introduction of Darren McCurry who scored 6 points on the tight Omagh pitch was the difference in the 2 teams and even at that, a fortuitous last minute free gifted Tyrone the win. Kerry brushed Armagh aside quite easily - armagh are bigger and more of a running team than Tyrone are so I'm struggling to see anything but a similar result. However, Tyrone v Kerry can take on a life of its own, so who knows.

Louth v Monaghan - brilliant draw for both of them. Monaghan just have that never say die attitude that you can't coach into a team. I had actually expected Westmeath to beat them, but Monaghan fully deserved their win. Louth have been excellent this year and Mulroy is one of the best footballers in the country. They're well coached and playing in croker will likely suit them. Really struggle to call this one, but I'll go for Louth as they've had an extra week to prepare and rest.

Galway v Dublin - Galway may benefit from Dublin fatigue with a weeks less recovery and extra time on top. Injuries and niggles will also have an impact - Dublin may be hampered in this regard whereas Galway seem to be more injury free than they have been for a long time.

Cork v Mayo - again the weeks extra recovery may tell - but Mayo possibly have better forwards and might prevail if they can restirct Cork's 2 point shooters.

Tyrone - v Kerry - hard to see anything but a Kerry win unless MOR starts living up to his reputation a bit more.
However, the wide open spaces of Croke Park are a myth - Tyrone's home pitch is the same size as Croke Park as are a lot of pitches throughout the country - and about half a dozen are actually larger. If anything, I wonder if Croke Park feels tighter with the high stands - especially when it's a full house.
Armagh's running game wasn't as focused last weekend and I wonder if it can actually leave teams exposed in the turnovers - Kerry scored a few goals on the break with a defence largely missing and exposed.

Louth v Monaghan - probably the hardest to call - but agree the weeks extra recovery - and Monaghan relying on quite a few older players - may be enough of an advantage for some strong Louth men.

I swear this thing about Monaghan being an aging team and overly reliant on aul lads, has been a thing being brought up for like 15 years now...

I actually think the current age profile of the Monaghan squad is as healthy and balanced as it's been for a long long time. We don't have any lads in the panel in their late 30s who are hanging on and playing key roles, which was often the case over the years. Right now it's a nice mix in the squad of young lads bursting through, those in the mid to late 20s who have been around a while and now becoming leaders, and a handful of lads in the early 30s who have tons of experience but still plenty more to give too in most cases. In different games over the past few weeks, we've had big performances from players in all 3 of those categories which has got us to this point.

Appreciate the change in this Monaghan team and a fresh intake over the last few years - but still think they rely a little too much on a number of older heads. Fantsatic to see Jack Mc Carron over the last few weeks but its a big ask for him to do that repeateldly week after week with little break between games. Any team shutting down Mc Carron - not easy - potentially takes 7-8 points off Monaghan's typical tally.

McCarron scored 0-0 against Cavan and Derry it was just the side line so 0-2

In the Ulster Final 0-3

He accounted for 5.88% of their scores in Ulster.....

So maybe do some fact checking research before posting.

In AI Series it's 25% of the scores but for the whole championship it's 15.15%.

Jack Mc Carron has 0-5, 0-7 and 1-5 in his last 3 games - i.e. the three games in this competition.
I think Jack Mc Carron is 34 or will be this year?
25% scores from one of Monaghan's oldest players will be noted elsewhere.
No disrespect to Jack Mc Carron or Monaghan on that - I'll be cheering them on over the weekend.

McCarron said after the Westmeath game that he was the oldest player on the Monaghan panel aged 33.

[Armagh18]

A dire Dublin team in the last 8 says a lot about the overall quality of Sam this year.

If they can get past Galway they will win it, and that's on your county.

They're a serious team when at the races, looking at score beo there and number 9-15 would be household names with a rake of all Irelands albeit 1-8 would be lesser known. Plenty of talent there and on their day a serious team. Every chance though they don't show up this weekend and Galway tank them.

Down, Cork and Dublin beating Dongeal, Donegal tanking Kerry, Armagh tanking Down, Kerry tanking Armagh, Westmeaths run, Louth losing to Dublin then beating them and then Armagh, it's a mad old year. Roscommon looking like All Ireland contenders against Galway then losing to Tyrone and going out with a whimper against Monaghan. Absolutely mad old year and nothing would really surprise me at this point. As the saying goes it's an open All Ireland but Kerry usually win those ones!

[Blowitupref]

A lot of pundits has compared this year to 2010.

In 2010 defending All-Ireland champions Kerry was knocked out at the Quarter-final stage by Ulster opposition (Down who went on to reach the All-Ireland final)  it's Possible Tyrone could repeat that this year.

2010 winner Cork had reached and lost previous All-Ireland finals. Galway the best comparison to them in 2026?

[Rossfan]

1957 Cork, Galway, Louth and Tyrone were the semi finalists.

[thewobbler]

A lot of pundits has compared this year to 2010.

In 2010 defending All-Ireland champions Kerry was knocked out at the Quarter-final stage by Ulster opposition (Down who went on to reach the All-Ireland final)  it's Possible Tyrone could repeat that this year.

2010 winner Cork had reached and lost previous All-Ireland finals. Galway the best comparison to them in 2026?

I'm not sure 2010 is an apt comparison.

Ahead of the quarter final that year I was unusually confident in Down v Kerry as Galvin was in decline, O'Sullivan was hobbling, Kenelly and Walsh had gone to Oz and we'd developed a full back capable of marking Donaghy. Or in other words they were never going to blow Down away.

Kerry are pretty much at the same quotient this year as last. If they still have the hunger, then they would still have the same lead on the pack as they did last season.

[imtommygunn]

Who was the full back? Was that Dan Gordon?

[Armagh18]

A lot of pundits has compared this year to 2010.

In 2010 defending All-Ireland champions Kerry was knocked out at the Quarter-final stage by Ulster opposition (Down who went on to reach the All-Ireland final)  it's Possible Tyrone could repeat that this year.

2010 winner Cork had reached and lost previous All-Ireland finals. Galway the best comparison to them in 2026?

I'm not sure 2010 is an apt comparison.

Ahead of the quarter final that year I was unusually confident in Down v Kerry as Galvin was in decline, O'Sullivan was hobbling, Kenelly and Walsh had gone to Oz and we'd developed a full back capable of marking Donaghy. Or in other words they were never going to blow Down away.

Kerry are pretty much at the same quotient this year as last. If they still have the hunger, then they would still have the same lead on the pack as they did last season. 

Not sure if they've that much of a lead on Galway, probably match up relatively well although you'd worry about Galways (anyones) full back line if the Cliffords and Geaneys are on form. They've got the tools to hurt Kerry though and the big brutes to maybe break even in midfield. Would probably be the best spectacle for a final. 

[tiempo]

A lot of pundits has compared this year to 2010.

In 2010 defending All-Ireland champions Kerry was knocked out at the Quarter-final stage by Ulster opposition (Down who went on to reach the All-Ireland final)  it's Possible Tyrone could repeat that this year.

2010 winner Cork had reached and lost previous All-Ireland finals. Galway the best comparison to them in 2026?

I'm not sure 2010 is an apt comparison.

Ahead of the quarter final that year I was unusually confident in Down v Kerry as Galvin was in decline, O'Sullivan was hobbling, Kenelly and Walsh had gone to Oz and we'd developed a full back capable of marking Donaghy. Or in other words they were never going to blow Down away.

Kerry are pretty much at the same quotient this year as last. If they still have the hunger, then they would still have the same lead on the pack as they did last season.

Kerry were injury ravaged going into that 2010 game v Down, Tomas O'Se suspended too, Down did what they had to do but overall that was a piss poor championship

[twohands!!!]

Current PaddyPower Odds

Kerry 4/7

Galway 5/1

Dublin 10/1

Mayo 12/1

Tyrone 14/1

Cork 18/1

Monaghan 20/1

Louth 20/1

Current PaddyPower Odds


Kerry 9/4

Donegal 4/1

Galway 9/2

Armagh 11/2

Tyrone 12/1

Cork 18/1

Mayo 20/1

Louth 20/1

Meath 20/1

Monaghan 25/1

Dublin 25/1

Westmeath 40/1


Galway/Tyrone/Cork/Louth odds all obviously affected by already being in the quarter-finals (so only having to win 3 games to win Sam verus the other 8 having to win 4 games.

Interesting to see the changes in the odds from before and after the weekend.

Looks like some Dubs getting excited about the win at the weekend.

[AustinPowers]

1957 Cork, Galway, Louth and Tyrone were the semi finalists.

1985 semis were Kerry, Monaghan , Mayo and Dublin

Both went to  replays too

[Look-Up!]

A lot of pundits has compared this year to 2010.

In 2010 defending All-Ireland champions Kerry was knocked out at the Quarter-final stage by Ulster opposition (Down who went on to reach the All-Ireland final)  it's Possible Tyrone could repeat that this year.

2010 winner Cork had reached and lost previous All-Ireland finals. Galway the best comparison to them in 2026?

I'm not sure 2010 is an apt comparison.

Ahead of the quarter final that year I was unusually confident in Down v Kerry as Galvin was in decline, O'Sullivan was hobbling, Kenelly and Walsh had gone to Oz and we'd developed a full back capable of marking Donaghy. Or in other words they were never going to blow Down away.

Kerry are pretty much at the same quotient this year as last. If they still have the hunger, then they would still have the same lead on the pack as they did last season.

Can't see that being an issue. In Kerry terms this team has probably underachieved especially considering the huge underage pedigree now in their prime. And an All Ireland in Kerry is nothing special compared to a back to back. They'll want this bad enough especially manager, probably last chance at a back to back for Jack.

[Look-Up!]

Current PaddyPower Odds

Kerry 4/7

Galway 5/1

Dublin 10/1

Mayo 12/1

Tyrone 14/1

Cork 18/1

Monaghan 20/1

Louth 20/1



Interesting to see the changes in the odds from before and after the weekend.

Looks like some Dubs getting excited about the win at the weekend.

Seems decent odds on Cork especially as they cannot draw Kerry in semi.