All-Ireland Series Sam Maguire 2026

[Captain Obvious]

Business end knock out football it's where the current standard and overall quality of any championship is really seen and can be fully judged.

Last year produced very few memorable encounters in the Quarter-finals,Semi-finals and final, surely 2026 will be an improvement starting today?

[blanketattack]

Kerry v Tyrone is a great fixture for both sides. Every time Tyrone win this fixture they win the All-Ireland that year and Kerry win the All-Ireland the following year!

[Lamh Dhearg Alba]

One last post and I'll be quiet.

Good point about Tyrone surprising Kerry four times then winning four AI titles.  The catch is that those Tyrone teams did it with a defensive system that could frustrate Kerry's overwhelming talent.  Such defensive systems have been banned by the new rules, allowing Kerry to run riot.

One way to look at it is that the most talented team should be champion.  However the most talented may always be Kerry.  Even the most enthusiastic fans of the new rules, may tire of everyone else playing for 2nd place.

Seems like a choice between the new rules with total Kerry dominance or the old rules where less talented teams can use the rules to negate such dominance.

Of course I'm wrong as I'm dealing in absolutes(unless five years from now we're speculating on Kerry's run for #7).  I'm not expected anyone to trouble this great Kerry squad.  However if one team can, I think it's Monaghan, which has developed the kind of attitude Tyrone had in "05 and '08.

People still coming up with this tripe 20 years on. Tyrone were just better than Kerry in that decade. They won the three Championship encounters and by an aggregate score of 14 points - which flattered Kerry. Look at that 2005 Tyrone full forward line - Mulligan, Canavan and O'Neill with McGuigan feeding them. Kerry simply couldn't cope.

The 2021 team wasn't in the same class but they didn't defeat Kerry with defensive football either, it was a very open game.

[Cunny Funt]

Dublin v Galway. Galway with the time to rest and recover and up against Dublin playing their 3rd game in 14 days plus extra time and probably without Con O'Callaghan should win by a few points to spare but knowing them it won't be straightforward so wouldn't rule out extra time before they prevail.

Cork v Mayo. What shape Mayo are in after games against Meath,Tyrone in consecutive weeks that went to the wire is the big question. Mayo I'd still give the slight edge if extra time Cork should win.

Kerry v Tyrone.  Probably the game neither wanted.  3 games in 14 days isn't going to bother Kerry too much as they had strolls against Armagh and Kildare.  Tyrone will surely defend a lot better than Armagh did? Would expect similar to the semi-finals last year with Kerry to win by 4 to 6 points.

Louth v Monaghan. Great to see one of these teams just two wins away from reaching the All-Ireland final. Has the potential to be the best of the 4 games. I think Monaghan should edge it, last two games not going to the wire a big bonus and have the recent experience of reaching the semi final.

I'd say Kerry happy enough. Another chance to put manners in Ulster opposition, and there is no one they enjoy beating more. Tyrone have beaten Kerry as underdogs all 4 times they won an All Ireland so here's hoping, wouldn't have a great deal of confidence though - Kerry to keep them at arms length

Tyrone have met Kerry nine times in championship history in knockout Croke Park games. 

Kerry's five wins Tyrone have four wins.

Kerry - 1986, 2015, 2019, 2023 and 2025.

Tyrone - 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2021.

[From the Bunker]

Kerry beat Tyrone in 2012 also.

[Blowitupref]

One change for Mayo before throw in Towey for Loftus.

MAYO: Jack Livingstone; Jack Coyne, Donnacha McHugh, Eoin McGreal; Sam Callinan, David McBrien, Enda Hession; Bob Touhy, Jack Carney; Stephen Coen, Paul Towey, Jordan Flynn; Darragh Beirne, Ryan O'Donoghue, Kobe McDonald.

Subs: Rob Hennelly, Diarmuid Duffy, John McMonagle, Rory Brickenden, Conal Dawson, Aidan O'Shea, Matthew Ruane, Conor Loftus, Fergal Boland, Tommy Conroy, Cian McHale.


One change for Cork Rory Maguire in for the injured Luke Fahy, Darragh Clifford wears no. 7

CORK: Patrick Doyle; Maurice Shanley, Daniel O'Mahony, Seán Meehan; Brian O'Driscoll, Tommy Walsh,Rory Maguire; Ian Maguire, Colm O'Callaghan; Paul Walsh, Dara Sheedy, Seán McDonnell; Mark Cronin, Chris Óg Jones, Steven Sherlock.

Subs: Micheál Aodh Martin, Jacob O'Driscoll, Seán Brady, Darragh Clifford Seán Walsh, David Buckley, Conor Cahalane, Eoghan McSweeney, Ruairi Deane, Conor Corbett, Brian Hurley.

[Cunny Funt]

Kerry beat Tyrone in 2012 also.

Wasn't in Croke Park.

[DaleCooper]

The Kerry PTSD narrative is amusing but ultimately dated and cringe at this stage. Paper never refuses ink they say.

Tyrone could save the competition as a contest with a

Think its kitchen sink for first half and see what happens. Good luck to all the gladiators entering the arena today.

[thebigfullforward]

This is the best season I've ever seen from a keeper in his debut season

[thebigfullforward]

Also this will make the games hateful to watch if the pitch is in this shape. Lost count already of the amount of slips

[gallsman]

Some bad wides already in this that would put Dublin and Donegal to shame.

[Blowitupref]

Possible penalty to Mayo not given. 0-2 each.

[gallsman]

Possible penalty to Mayo not given. 0-2 each.

I thought was pretty blatant as was a wild, swinging arm. Michael Meehan reckoned he got the ball which I didn't see at all.

[AustinPowers]

Kerry v Tyrone is a great fixture for both sides. Every time Tyrone win this fixture they win the All-Ireland that year and Kerry win the All-Ireland the following year!

Would 2025 be the first time that  after  Kerry beat Tyrone , they  won the All Ireland?

2012, 2015, 2019, I think  Kerry beat Tyrone but never  won Sam those years

[DaleCooper]

Mayo not capitalising on early dominance. Cork will punish them later when they get going.