All-Ireland Series Sam Maguire 2026

[EoinW]

Well at this juncture in the sport all the guys are top fitness wise. Would agree Kerrys kickout movement and understanding is like something like youd see in NFL.

Would love to know how many set plays and running patterns can be called upon and how the signalling works.

This is what puzzles me.  Given how important it is to win your own kick out, and the dire consequences when you get it totally wrong, why aren't teams running set plays - like a QB passing to a WR?

Bill Walsh and Joe Montana would script the first 20-30 offensive plays before each 49er game.  Can't GAA teams prepare in a similar way?

Is it impractical to huddle quickly before each kickout then send the 11 players out to run a set play like wide receivers?

Comparing GAA to NFL in terms of setting up a playbook is something of a stretch.

In NFL:

after each stoppage, all defensive players line up in roughly the same formation.

Roughly half of those players hold a horizontal line at the restart, and will never go deeper than that line.

It is perfectly within the rules for attackers to block the runs of defenders.

And even with the advantages created here in terms of set plays, teams go 4 and out more often than they score.

Thank you.  American football I know.  Gaelic football I don't know.  That's why I asked if my criticism was practical.  It all seems so easy sitting in front of the tv set!

Losing ones own kickouts appears to be the biggest handicap in the new game.  By now I would have hoped teams would figure this out.  Perhaps some problems don't have easy solutions...or no solutions at all.

From a GAA perspective, I do wonder if they want kickouts to have, at times, a Keystone Kops look to them.  I've written before that I believe this makes everyone look bad.  Cheap goals off botched kickouts seem like being in a kissing booth with the ugliest girl in town.

[DaleCooper]

Yeah I dont like the rehearsed aspect to it and the goal punishment is regular now even for keepers with near perfect record rest of game.

[twohands!!!]

Well at this juncture in the sport all the guys are top fitness wise. Would agree Kerrys kickout movement and understanding is like something like youd see in NFL.

Would love to know how many set plays and running patterns can be called upon and how the signalling works.

This is what puzzles me.  Given how important it is to win your own kick out, and the dire consequences when you get it totally wrong, why aren't teams running set plays - like a QB passing to a WR?

Bill Walsh and Joe Montana would script the first 20-30 offensive plays before each 49er game.  Can't GAA teams prepare in a similar way?

Is it impractical to huddle quickly before each kickout then send the 11 players out to run a set play like wide receivers?

Comparing GAA to NFL in terms of setting up a playbook is something of a stretch.

In NFL:

after each stoppage, all defensive players line up in roughly the same formation.

Roughly half of those players hold a horizontal line at the restart, and will never go deeper than that line.

It is perfectly within the rules for attackers to block the runs of defenders.

And even with the advantages created here in terms of set plays, teams go 4 and out more often than they score.

Thank you.  American football I know.  Gaelic football I don't know.  That's why I asked if my criticism was practical.  It all seems so easy sitting in front of the tv set!

Losing ones own kickouts appears to be the biggest handicap in the new game.  By now I would have hoped teams would figure this out.  Perhaps some problems don't have easy solutions...or no solutions at all.

From a GAA perspective, I do wonder if they want kickouts to have, at times, a Keystone Kops look to them.  I've written before that I believe this makes everyone look bad.  Cheap goals off botched kickouts seem like being in a kissing booth with the ugliest girl in town.

The big difference between NFL and GAA is the professional v amateur aspect especially as relates to training time.

I'd say NFL teams spend significantly more time training every year compared to Gaelic footballers.

I know GAA players put in serious hours but it's a whole different kettle of fish while also holding down a job. I'd say the scope for practising set plays is far more limited in the GAA compared to the NFL.

[Blowitupref]

Louth v Mayo, Croke Park the Referee will be David Coldrick

Dublin v Kerry it will be Brendan Cawley

Does that mean Hurson,Gough or Lane for the final?

[statto]

Louth v Mayo, Croke Park the Referee will be David Coldrick

Dublin v Kerry it will be Brendan Cawley

Does that mean Hurson,Gough or Lane for the final?

Cawley very poor in comparison to some of the above.

[Armagh18]

Louth v Mayo, Croke Park the Referee will be David Coldrick

Dublin v Kerry it will be Brendan Cawley

Does that mean Hurson,Gough or Lane for the final?

Cawley very poor in comparison to some of the above.

Lane and Gough no better.

McNally or Faloon would be my picks.

[Rossfan]

Talk about neighbourly appointments for the 2 Leinster teams.

[Armagh18]

Talk about neighbourly appointments for the 2 Leinster teams.

We'd a fecking Tyrone man for the All Ireland. Certainly be no love lost there.

[square_ball]

Louth v Mayo, Croke Park the Referee will be David Coldrick

Dublin v Kerry it will be Brendan Cawley

Does that mean Hurson,Gough or Lane for the final?

Cawley very poor in comparison to some of the above.

Lane and Gough no better.

McNally or Faloon would be my picks.

Faloon would be my pick too. Kilcoo will be particularly delighted if he did get it.

I think last weekend will count against McNally.

[RedHand88]

Talk about neighbourly appointments for the 2 Leinster teams.

We'd a fecking Tyrone man for the All Ireland. Certainly be no love lost there.

Nobody likes Armagh though.

[Blowitupref]

Andy Moran has confirmed James Carr,Diarmuid O'Connor,Paddy Durcan and Cillian O'Connor have recovered from their injuries and will be available for selection against Louth.

[Tubberman]

Andy Moran has confirmed James Carr,Diarmuid O'Connor,Paddy Durcan and Cillian O'Connor have recovered from their injuries and will be available for selection against Louth.

No, hasn't confirmed Durcan or Diarmuid.
And Cillian has only rejoined panel, hard to see him force his way in.

[From the Bunker]

I was surprised Cillian came back or was asked back this year. His pace is shot. A great servant.

[Blowitupref]

Andy Moran has confirmed James Carr,Diarmuid O'Connor,Paddy Durcan and Cillian O'Connor have recovered from their injuries and will be available for selection against Louth.

No, hasn't confirmed Durcan or Diarmuid.
And Cillian has only rejoined panel, hard to see him force his way in.

Andy Moran quote from the Louth semi-final press conference

Darren McHale is the only one ruled out at the moment. Paddy Durcan and Diarmuid O'Connor are back running and hope to be fit for the Louth game
Cillian O'Connor is fit for selection. Of course, like everyone else he has to get through the next few sessions, but he'll be challenging for a place like everyone else. James Carr is flying too, he's kicking down my door looking for a place in the squad.

[thewobbler]

I was surprised Cillian came back or was asked back this year. His pace is shot. A great servant.

I imagine if Cillian or Andy had have been confident in the emergence of Kobe and Beirne, it wouldn't have happened.