The 2025 All Ireland Senior Football Championship (Sam Maguire Cup)

Hope galway get Donegal...

People are always giving out TBH.

It's their call, I have no problem with that end of it, as I say I'm no big admirer of Kevin as a manager. The issue here is how it was done - apparently a phone call to Kevin followed within minutes by the press briefing.

Pretty classy....

Re quarter finals, Armagh should win by a few points, but the rest could be tight or go to extra time. Dublin, Donegal and Meath to win.

Much as I hate the idea. I would go Tyrone, Armagh, Meath, Donegal. Very Ulster Centric.

Think Meath will have too much physical power for Galway. Especially if no Walsh. Tyrone will have too many options to stop. Any if Dublin have no Con will be even more limited. Kerry backs I would question which is why I would go Armagh.

I think the most interesting one is Meath v Galway. Meath if they start well and use their physical power, loads of two point options unlike Galway.

I think Tyrone will knock out Dublin and are dark horses overall. They'll have a keeper in his peak ready-built for the new rules and a superior midfield to Dublin (even if POCB has improved). Better overall structure, and if Con isn't 100% ready to go, just don't see where the consistent threat is going to come from.

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised by Tyrone-Donegal final.

They certainly don't lack power. Cook has been brilliant for them when he's been on the pitch this year so far. All the talk is about Conroy, but Cook and Maher are the ones that have shown up when required - Maher in particular. That Down game was an example of the game starting to go away from them on the second half when he crashed in to a few people and broke up a few moves, won a few turnovers and changed the direction of the game. No glamor to him, but he's very effective. They'll beat Meath, might not go any further than that but Meath are limited enough.

In other games, Donegal, probably Tyrone and possibly Kerry will have a dead cat's bounce and surprise Armagh.

Not at all. If you want an idea how the QF between Tyrone and Dublin will likely go look up the league match between the two where Dublin were very passive. Tyrone won handy.

So far in the championship Meath out muscled Dublin completely. Destroyed Dublin on two pointers. Armagh won pulling up v the Dubs.

Derry nearly beat Dublin because of two pointers. Even though Derry started poorly. Cork should have beaten Dublin and were unlucky not to do so. Dublin gave Cork loads of space it was mad.

Dublin fell over the line against Galway in Salthill. Even though Galway gave Dublin loads of space, and for some mad reason left Kilkenny free. Plus Galway oddly given Dublin’s issues lost midfield.

Basically I would be shocked if the Dubs put up a decent performance v Tyrone. Nevermind talk of beating them!

Edit - on the “bang average manager” bit on Farrell. I would have agreed with you until the Sam win in 23. I never count the Covid Sam.

But in 23 in fairness to Dessie he showed tactical nous. And got the last ounce out of the squad. Resting big guns v Mayo QF that year in 23 and springing them from bench. He never benched Kilkenny before that. Shocked everyone, went for pace starters instead. Also controlled the AI final v Kerry.

Sunday has almost sold out.

Hill tickets gone even.

A bang average manager ? Jesus wept !!

At least they've won All Irelands

Only maybe Armagh,Donegal can match Galway in physical power. A lot of the Meath players are young and still need filling out yet. On two pointers in this championship Meath have scored 28 and Galway have scored 19 so yeah better however a few pundits seem to think Croke Park isn't a venue for two pointers like provincial grounds that are more exposed to the wind.

Is Gleeson back for Galway? That Keeper that played v Down seemed very unsure of himself.