All-Ireland Series Sam Maguire 2026

[Manning18]

As opposed to 2 weeks.
But there is no perk for winning the Provincial Final in the current system.
Galway bet Leitrim, lost CF but are in the same pot as Ros who bet Galway (and Mayowestros)or Armagh who had to win 3 games to get to UF.
Then Galway get a home game v the weakest team of the 16!!

This system was voted in while Dublin were on a run of 23 out of 24 Leinsters and Kerry on a run of 14 out of 15 Munsters so maybe that worked against any special perks for Provincial winners?

And for the 4 years previous Galway won Connacht and got royally screwed in the next round with the toughest option available. Including the farcical situation last year whereby they knew going into the final with Mayo that winning would put them into the group of death. Maybe there's a hex over the winners of connacht? Albiet Roscommon didnt get the worst draw available to them this year. Perhaps the third worst

The draw being done in advance is at the request of county boards for planning purposes, thats been mentioned on a few podcasts. I wouldn't agree with it but we can hardly complain when its the participants rather than the GAA that are requesting it

I'd agree that the provincial finalist loser in this format probably seems unfairly rewarded in comparison to everyone else. The fix would be to go back to last years seeding arrangement, which was to seed: winner - 1, runner up - 2, top 4 non finalist from league - 3, rest - 4. Then play 1 v 4 and 2 v 3. Perhaps they thought that having 1 v 4 seeds would lead to very one sided matches, as it would've led to Cavan playing Kerry in Killarney or the likes

Was just coming to reply something similar, wouldn't begrudge Galway a handy draw this year given they've ended up in the group of death the previous 3. (Most fecking likely we' draw them if we beat Derry)

Groups of death?

Firstly 3 teams got out of each group which should be more than manageable for any established Division 1 team.

Last year Galway had Derry who didn't win a league or championship game all year and played Armagh in round 3 when it was a dead rubber game for Armagh.

2024,23  Westmeath was in Galways group who was always going to finish 4th.

Look at the groups the other provincial winners got for the previous 3 seasons. Start with Kerry 

"Awck sure westmeath were always finishing last there". Yep cos the other teams in the group were always strong. The Connacht winners (1 seed) got the Ulster runnersup (2 seed) every year. Which always ended up being Armagh and Galway. Other illustrious no.2 seeds options were Clare, Sligo, Louth. 4th seed options along with Westmeath were the likes of Cavan and Kildare

All of those teams bar Sligo actually got out of their groups at different points. Poor westmeath got punished because they did indeed draw into the group of death twice

[Armagh18]

As opposed to 2 weeks.
But there is no perk for winning the Provincial Final in the current system.
Galway bet Leitrim, lost CF but are in the same pot as Ros who bet Galway (and Mayowestros)or Armagh who had to win 3 games to get to UF.
Then Galway get a home game v the weakest team of the 16!!

This system was voted in while Dublin were on a run of 23 out of 24 Leinsters and Kerry on a run of 14 out of 15 Munsters so maybe that worked against any special perks for Provincial winners?

And for the 4 years previous Galway won Connacht and got royally screwed in the next round with the toughest option available. Including the farcical situation last year whereby they knew going into the final with Mayo that winning would put them into the group of death. Maybe there's a hex over the winners of connacht? Albiet Roscommon didnt get the worst draw available to them this year. Perhaps the third worst

The draw being done in advance is at the request of county boards for planning purposes, thats been mentioned on a few podcasts. I wouldn't agree with it but we can hardly complain when its the participants rather than the GAA that are requesting it

I'd agree that the provincial finalist loser in this format probably seems unfairly rewarded in comparison to everyone else. The fix would be to go back to last years seeding arrangement, which was to seed: winner - 1, runner up - 2, top 4 non finalist from league - 3, rest - 4. Then play 1 v 4 and 2 v 3. Perhaps they thought that having 1 v 4 seeds would lead to very one sided matches, as it would've led to Cavan playing Kerry in Killarney or the likes

Was just coming to reply something similar, wouldn't begrudge Galway a handy draw this year given they've ended up in the group of death the previous 3. (Most fecking likely we' draw them if we beat Derry)

Groups of death?

Firstly 3 teams got out of each group which should be more than manageable for any established Division 1 team.

Last year Galway had Derry who didn't win a league or championship game all year and played Armagh in round 3 when it was a dead rubber game for Armagh.

2024,23  Westmeath was in Galways group who was always going to finish 4th.

Look at the groups the other provincial winners got for the previous 3 seasons. Start with Kerry 

"Awck sure westmeath were always finishing last there". Yep cos the other teams in the group were always strong. The Connacht winners (1 seed) got the Ulster runnersup (2 seed) every year. Which always ended up being Armagh and Galway. Other illustrious no.2 seeds options were Clare, Sligo, Louth. 4th seed options along with Westmeath were the likes of Cavan and Kildare

All of those teams bar Sligo actually got out of their groups at different points. Poor westmeath got punished because they did indeed draw into the group of death twice

Yeah don't think Galway could have got a tougher group in any of those years.

Hope to feck we don't draw Galway for another few years anyway!

[Blowitupref]

The draw for round 2a 2b will take place on RTÉ Radio One's 'Morning Ireland' show on Tuesday, June 2. 

I Wonder why it's not held bank holiday Monday in the afternoon on GAA+ as they did with round 1?

[Captain Obvious]

As opposed to 2 weeks.
But there is no perk for winning the Provincial Final in the current system.
Galway bet Leitrim, lost CF but are in the same pot as Ros who bet Galway (and Mayowestros)or Armagh who had to win 3 games to get to UF.
Then Galway get a home game v the weakest team of the 16!!

This system was voted in while Dublin were on a run of 23 out of 24 Leinsters and Kerry on a run of 14 out of 15 Munsters so maybe that worked against any special perks for Provincial winners?

And for the 4 years previous Galway won Connacht and got royally screwed in the next round with the toughest option available. Including the farcical situation last year whereby they knew going into the final with Mayo that winning would put them into the group of death. Maybe there's a hex over the winners of connacht? Albiet Roscommon didnt get the worst draw available to them this year. Perhaps the third worst

The draw being done in advance is at the request of county boards for planning purposes, thats been mentioned on a few podcasts. I wouldn't agree with it but we can hardly complain when its the participants rather than the GAA that are requesting it

I'd agree that the provincial finalist loser in this format probably seems unfairly rewarded in comparison to everyone else. The fix would be to go back to last years seeding arrangement, which was to seed: winner - 1, runner up - 2, top 4 non finalist from league - 3, rest - 4. Then play 1 v 4 and 2 v 3. Perhaps they thought that having 1 v 4 seeds would lead to very one sided matches, as it would've led to Cavan playing Kerry in Killarney or the likes

Was just coming to reply something similar, wouldn't begrudge Galway a handy draw this year given they've ended up in the group of death the previous 3. (Most fecking likely we' draw them if we beat Derry)

Groups of death?

Firstly 3 teams got out of each group which should be more than manageable for any established Division 1 team.

Last year Galway had Derry who didn't win a league or championship game all year and played Armagh in round 3 when it was a dead rubber game for Armagh.

2024,23  Westmeath was in Galways group who was always going to finish 4th.

Look at the groups the other provincial winners got for the previous 3 seasons. Start with Kerry 

"Awck sure westmeath were always finishing last there". Yep cos the other teams in the group were always strong. The Connacht winners (1 seed) got the Ulster runnersup (2 seed) every year. Which always ended up being Armagh and Galway. Other illustrious no.2 seeds options were Clare, Sligo, Louth. 4th seed options along with Westmeath were the likes of Cavan and Kildare

All of those teams bar Sligo actually got out of their groups at different points. Poor westmeath got punished because they did indeed draw into the group of death twice

Regardless the objective was reaching the knock out stages by finishing 1st,2nd,3rd. Nobody seen Galway in any of the last three years finishing 4th and making their exit.

A group of death for Westmeath not for the rest with them in the group is final conclusion.

[Rossfan]

I Wonder why it's not held bank holiday Monday in the afternoon on GAA+ as they did with round 1?

If I was a conspiracy theorist.....

[Rossfan]

As opposed to 2 weeks.
But there is no perk for winning the Provincial Final in the current system.
Galway bet Leitrim, lost CF but are in the same pot as Ros who bet Galway (and Mayowestros)or Armagh who had to win 3 games to get to UF.
Then Galway get a home game v the weakest team of the 16!!

This system was voted in while Dublin were on a run of 23 out of 24 Leinsters and Kerry on a run of 14 out of 15 Munsters so maybe that worked against any special perks for Provincial winners?

.

This format is effectively the final nail in  the provincials coffin

Hmmmmm....
C120k attended the 4 Finals.
Lid not closed yet....

[Armagh18]

As opposed to 2 weeks.
But there is no perk for winning the Provincial Final in the current system.
Galway bet Leitrim, lost CF but are in the same pot as Ros who bet Galway (and Mayowestros)or Armagh who had to win 3 games to get to UF.
Then Galway get a home game v the weakest team of the 16!!

This system was voted in while Dublin were on a run of 23 out of 24 Leinsters and Kerry on a run of 14 out of 15 Munsters so maybe that worked against any special perks for Provincial winners?

.

This format is effectively the final nail in  the provincials coffin

Hmmmmm....
C120k attended the 4 Finals.
Lid not closed yet....

3 of the 4 games were tight hard fought games with winners where it meant the world to the team and supporters, if Cork weren't so flaky it would have been 4 brilliant games. Not to mention dramatic games/upsets e.g Down vs Donegal, Derry vs Monaghan, Meath vs Westmeath, Armagh vs Tyrone.

 Life in the provincials yet.

[AustinPowers]

As opposed to 2 weeks.
But there is no perk for winning the Provincial Final in the current system.
Galway bet Leitrim, lost CF but are in the same pot as Ros who bet Galway (and Mayowestros)or Armagh who had to win 3 games to get to UF.
Then Galway get a home game v the weakest team of the 16!!

This system was voted in while Dublin were on a run of 23 out of 24 Leinsters and Kerry on a run of 14 out of 15 Munsters so maybe that worked against any special perks for Provincial winners?

.

This format is effectively the final nail in  the provincials coffin

Hmmmmm....
C120k attended the 4 Finals.
Lid not closed yet....

Yeah, but a lot of that crowd  was from; Westmeath, who had  only ever won 1 provincial (Dublin brought poor numbers); Armagh, who had gone 18 years without one, and they  always carry good support; Monaghan, no title since 2015; and Roscommon were at home  and a few years  since their last title

I think we'll see  over the next year or two whether it's beneficial for  the bigger teams  to take the provincials seriously.  That will determine the provincials future

This season, if  the likes of Donegal (God forbid) or  say Mayo/Meath  win an AI or get very close , you might say the rest/knocked out early  did them good, or if  Armagh    look jaded/pick up injuries,  you might say they should have  gave the provincials a miss.

However imbalanced they are , they need promoted and retained , and   the winning teams need a clear  incentive/advantage  later in the championship

[Manning18]

As opposed to 2 weeks.
But there is no perk for winning the Provincial Final in the current system.
Galway bet Leitrim, lost CF but are in the same pot as Ros who bet Galway (and Mayowestros)or Armagh who had to win 3 games to get to UF.
Then Galway get a home game v the weakest team of the 16!!

This system was voted in while Dublin were on a run of 23 out of 24 Leinsters and Kerry on a run of 14 out of 15 Munsters so maybe that worked against any special perks for Provincial winners?

And for the 4 years previous Galway won Connacht and got royally screwed in the next round with the toughest option available. Including the farcical situation last year whereby they knew going into the final with Mayo that winning would put them into the group of death. Maybe there's a hex over the winners of connacht? Albiet Roscommon didnt get the worst draw available to them this year. Perhaps the third worst

The draw being done in advance is at the request of county boards for planning purposes, thats been mentioned on a few podcasts. I wouldn't agree with it but we can hardly complain when its the participants rather than the GAA that are requesting it

I'd agree that the provincial finalist loser in this format probably seems unfairly rewarded in comparison to everyone else. The fix would be to go back to last years seeding arrangement, which was to seed: winner - 1, runner up - 2, top 4 non finalist from league - 3, rest - 4. Then play 1 v 4 and 2 v 3. Perhaps they thought that having 1 v 4 seeds would lead to very one sided matches, as it would've led to Cavan playing Kerry in Killarney or the likes

Was just coming to reply something similar, wouldn't begrudge Galway a handy draw this year given they've ended up in the group of death the previous 3. (Most fecking likely we' draw them if we beat Derry)

Groups of death?

Firstly 3 teams got out of each group which should be more than manageable for any established Division 1 team.

Last year Galway had Derry who didn't win a league or championship game all year and played Armagh in round 3 when it was a dead rubber game for Armagh.

2024,23  Westmeath was in Galways group who was always going to finish 4th.

Look at the groups the other provincial winners got for the previous 3 seasons. Start with Kerry 

"Awck sure westmeath were always finishing last there". Yep cos the other teams in the group were always strong. The Connacht winners (1 seed) got the Ulster runnersup (2 seed) every year. Which always ended up being Armagh and Galway. Other illustrious no.2 seeds options were Clare, Sligo, Louth. 4th seed options along with Westmeath were the likes of Cavan and Kildare

All of those teams bar Sligo actually got out of their groups at different points. Poor westmeath got punished because they did indeed draw into the group of death twice

Yeah don't think Galway could have got a tougher group in any of those years.

Hope to feck we don't draw Galway for another few years anyway!

It wouldn't feel like a championship at this point without a eye clawing heart stopping game between Armagh and Galway that went down to the very wire. So many ridiculous finishes. Armagh still with the cherry of them though

[downgael2065]

Is ross mcquillan injured and just returning to fitness or just not made the starting team ? I thought he had nailed down a starting position in that armagh half back line

[DaleCooper]

Think its bench impact though expected he would be more of starter. Whatever case Armagh have a formidable sub lineup.

[Armagh18]

Is ross mcquillan injured and just returning to fitness or just not made the starting team ? I thought he had nailed down a starting position in that armagh half back line

Had a slight knock before Down and was rested as a precaution, possibly being eased back, partly very hard to justify dropping anyone for him and his pace late on is an unbelievable weapon to have, the lad also had a close personal bereavement I think the day of the Ulster final.

Would personally be starting him somewhere, probably my player of the year up until injury for us along with Burns and McCabe. 

[illdecide]

KMcG is very much a man for if you hold the yellow jersey or in pole position or any other terminology that rocks your boat you keep the starting jersey no matter what you've done previously and the players all know that. I suppose it keeps the thing right and everyone is fighting hard to get in and perform to keep a starting slot, if you're unlucky enough to get injured and the lad that replaces you performs well then you have a major fight to try and get your place back and KMcG seems to always keep the man on form in a starting role.
On the game here tomorrow, I expect some heavy showers throughout the day and during the game so could be another leveler like Clones a few weeks back, I certainly would not rule out another draw here. A few Derry wans I work with are content with the game and quietly confident of a Derry win, surely Armagh can't give us another extra time game?.

[Cunny Funt]

I doubt It was Andy Morans plan but with June around the corner it's still experimental time with the Mayo team clearly not knowing what is their strongest team.

The whole spine of the team 1,3,6,9,11,14 is changed from their last game.  Experienced players dropped while three included that will be making their championshop debut and could say 4 as the only experience was one game v London.

Opportunity surely for a more settled and experienced Monaghan team on Sunday to win if they have got the Ulster final out of their system?

[Tubberman]

Yep, great opportunity for Monaghan.
Also a chance for Mayo to spark something, they're adrift at the moment and the script has been ripped up. Will the players have learnt their new lines in time though?