Football Championship 2026 (Mod Note in OP)

Benedict XVI · 20-04-2026 12:32AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124408540#Comment_124408540

First off I never said they should not stream games.

I said that illegal streaming is something rights owners and rights holders will start to take into consideration more and more when it comes to live sports broadcasting.

Personally I didn't get the dodgy box for LOI TV, Clubber or GAA+, they just happen to be available on it.

For most of my counties games I'll go to them and the odd time I won't and they are not on RTE I'll watch them on the dodgy box.

I would not watch something like Kildare v Laois if it was on the dodgy box today, I'd have watched the hurling on RTE.

So I'd never be a GAA+ subscriber in the first place.

gormdubhgorm · 20-04-2026 09:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124407661#Comment_124407661

I disagree Meath were superb throughout the league. Ok they conceded a lot but they have firepower all over the pitch. Lots of two point shooter options and are a strong physical side.

But that is two games in the last two years in Leinster that Meath were favourites for and lost . Against Louth in the Leinster final, and against Westmeath in yesterday’s QF. Meath crumbled in the two of them.

That to me is one or both of two things Meath are not used to the pressure of being favourites, and have not developed the smart game management in tense games like those.

I was at the Leinster final last year. The faces of the Meath supporters told the story they were not only devastated they were in shock. It was as if they never considered losing.

gormdubhgorm · 20-04-2026 09:17AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124407610#Comment_124407610

The New kids on the block, with notions type of thing. Meanwhile Louth and Westmeath quietly get on with it. Dublin? Well it’s Meath!

gormdubhgorm · 20-04-2026 09:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124395335#Comment_124395335

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124396511#Comment_124396511

Just about!

event · 20-04-2026 09:34AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124408821#Comment_124408821

Even them as favourites last year vs us was madness. They have some very good attackers. But defense wise, they have a lot to do.

Hammer Archer · 20-04-2026 09:59AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124408821#Comment_124408821

Meath were not favourites against Louth last year. Both sides had identical odds going into the game (5/6 if I remember correctly). We were second favourites in several games last year (Dublin, Cork, Kerry and Galway) where we came out on top.

Think it's a bit weird to see people up in arms over supporters getting excited over the progress their team has made in two seasons so far. Also that "experts" nothing to do with Meath have bigged them up while supporters throughout the league have consistently pointed to our defence needing drastic improvement if we were to improve in the championship. I was dreading yesterday's game given our probable hangover from the league and Westmeath having put 40 points on Longford the previous week.

Nonetheless, we put a huge amount of effort into gaining promotion, using a lot fewer players (particularly in defence) than other teams probably did, which we're probably paying for now. We've now 5-6 weeks to prepare for a game against a provincial winner/runner-up. We've still the chance to turn a decent season (so far) into another good season.

Tombo2001 · 20-04-2026 10:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391816#Comment_124391816

Dont know if this is relevant or not.

I live near Croke Park. Every summer, on match day, we have fans coming in from all parts of the country for the big games, parking their cars on our road.

On all ireland days its very busy indeed.

The best atmosphere of any all Ireland final that I can remember, hurling or football - nothing to do with the match itself now - but the best atmosphere in the morning of the game when the fans were arriving in, excited, up for the game, was 2024 when Armagh won it.

So regardless of how the team performs, I'd have a lot of regard for Armagh people since.

(Wont say who the worst fans are, except to say they arent too far away from you!!😅)

Tombo2001 · 20-04-2026 10:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124408955#Comment_124408955

Ah look - Meath have just won promotion and got to the AI semi-final last year. On paper they should be won of the strongest teams in the country, top 4 or 5. Indeed thats where they are on the football rankings thats done on boards. Its not about experts bigging them up, its about their form in the past 18 months.

This is quite a big shock.

On the other hand, the only time I've seen Meath in recent years was the AI SemiFinal last year, and they surely were poor that day. I would have them below Roscommon or Monaghan myself. So maybe not a huge shock.

downthemiddle · 20-04-2026 11:41AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124408843#Comment_124408843

A very Wicklow performance.

gormdubhgorm · 20-04-2026 11:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124408955#Comment_124408955

It might work in Meath’s favour taking the pressure off etc. I would have seen a lot of Meath Portlaoise last year - the Leinster final last year - and the league games in CP . I honestly thought that if Meath won Leinster got momentum /battle hardened could be an outside chance for Sam. I was getting worried!

Dickie10 · 20-04-2026 01:45PM

very odd the way fans don’t like to see a new team coming along didn’t Meath help bring 67,000 to a Leinster final last year and only all Ireland semi final to be sold out without dublin involvement, most pundits seemed excited by having them consistently at top table. Are fans not allowed big up there team? I thought it helped the whole new vibe on Gaelic football? Will we get 60,000 plus at this years Leinster final?

event · 20-04-2026 04:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409513#Comment_124409513

For me, as a Louth man, it was more about how Louth seemed to just be dismissed. Its as if it was a formality Meath would win Leinster this year. And even your own point, did Meath bring 67000 fans on their own? I reckon if we get to the final (which would be 4th year in a row, just so everyone remembers) we will have more fans there than last year. Can't speak to the other teams but I imagine they would be the same

Dogsdodogsstuff · 20-04-2026 06:00PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409513#Comment_124409513

Ah let’s be fair , fans are allowed to big up their own team but not in a vacuum. The stronger a team gets and the louder their fans become the more people will enjoy seeing them knocked off their perch.

I think it’s great (even as a dub) that Leinster is far more open. I thought Dublin were 3rd favourites based on what I’ve seen )I’ve been to most Dublin games last few years). I had money on meath winning Leinster and in the pools on boards you can see I picked them as a surprise AI finalist.

But I found it hilarious meath lost. Was more satisfying then Dublin unconvincingly squeezing over the line against Wicklow. Was also funny many people at stadium chuckling. I remember the Dublin v meath rivalry’s in 80/90s. I’ve been looking forward to a Dublin v meath rivalry returning but that doesn’t mean I want meath to win.

Dickie10 · 20-04-2026 06:18PM

ye that’s true but Meath are not even at top table. You don’t see many wanting Galway or Armagh who are in their 4/5 Th season at top table . Meath are barely around a year! Surely Meath now aren’t seen prism of Meath 25 years ago? That’s like taking pleasure in seeing Everton doing badly because they were good in mid 80s

Hammer Archer · 20-04-2026 09:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409888#Comment_124409888

Meath have not even been favourites in the bookies prior to the start of the Leinster championship so not sure where you're getting that from. Dublin have been favourites all season (and still are). Louth were longer odds likely because it was likely that they'd need to beat Dublin to make the Leinster final, after which their odds would shorten massively if they won that.

And, again, I find it a bit odd that you're somehow blaming Meath for random pundits bigging them up. Suppose it is proof that we are on an upward trajectory (finally) that we're eliciting that sort of response at a loss.

Honestly, the way Louth have been playing, it'd take a huge fall off in performance for them to lose their Leinster title from here. Dublin may have had a chance if the game was in Croker but I don't see any way they can beat Louth the way both teams are playing. Westmeath should have enough to beat Kildare and make it into Sam so it'll be a very novel final if that's the case.

Dickie10 · 20-04-2026 10:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124410533#Comment_124410533

hard to see past Louth v Westmeath final on current form

event · 21-04-2026 08:14AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124410533#Comment_124410533

I am not blaming Meath really, I just thought it was very strange. And I never go by the bookies, sure thats easily swayed in GAA by a few bets. A lot of the pundits in media were tipping Meath. But had no real reasons, I think it was because Meath are a traditional powerhouse. Again thats not meaths fault, always just thought it was a bit off

Tombo2001 · 21-04-2026 10:07AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124410533#Comment_124410533

Would not agree - the bookies have Louth Dublin as a fairly even match and I think we are nowhere near a situation where Louth would need to have a massive drop off in form to lose against a team that was AI Champion three years ago…. indeed the same year Dublin beat Louth by 21 points in the Leinster final and a lot of those lads are still around.

Funny how many people at the time wanted Dessie out. Maybe a bit of revisionism due on that one.

J Cheever Loophole · 21-04-2026 11:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409007#Comment_124409007

Thank you for those generous comments. Much appreciated. We pride ourselves on our support in terms of size, loyalty, commitment, good humour etc. but it tends to be a subject to avoid on discussion forums as other supporters will be quick to point out personal experiences where our support have maybe let themselves down.

Dogsdodogsstuff · 21-04-2026 12:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124411049#Comment_124411049

Dublin lost to meath by 5-9 to 13 in 2010 and won the AI in 2011, we’ve seen with Donegal under mcguinness aswell how quickly a county can turn things around given the right settings.

the same is true of the opposite, particularly with Dublin the loss of so many senior experienced players at the same time , coupled with absolutely nothing coming through to replace.

Bookies odds can be accurate but are usually skewered in favour of bigger teams that have more fans betting on them. In the two games Dublin won in the league , I’d argue Roscommon were caught on off day (but they still could of scored a few more goals) and we were lucky to beat Monaghan, again giving up so many goal chances.

Even against Wicklow , it was moreso Wicklow wasting many many many scorable chances , then it was Dublin deserved victory. On what i have seen from dublin i see Louth slight favourites and I would not bet on dublin who consistently seem to fold/struggle when it comes to the tail end of games. I dont see dublin being as clever at game management within games either, which in itself is an art.

You could see the decline of Dublin start during Dessie’s reign. Wasn’t all his fault but his AI wins were as much down to squad experience muscle memory as anything else. Also the rule changes to the game effectively destroyed the tactics Dublin had used to dominate. So there’s a lot more factors at play then some of you are implying.

Tombo2001 · 21-04-2026 12:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124411324#Comment_124411324

Yeah thats all fair though the 2010 was a freak result, tbh much like the Westmeath game the other day. And I'm reminded of a few of the times that Galway beat Cody's Kilkenny - when the underdog bangs in 4 or 5 goals, that sometimes can just happen.

But fair point on rule changes and key players leaving.

But I still dont think we are at a place where Louth are strong favourites.

enricoh · 21-04-2026 01:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124409888#Comment_124409888

What part of 'didnt meath help bring 67000 to croke park' has you asking did meath bring 67000 on their own?

dxhound2005 · 21-04-2026 01:37PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124411383#Comment_124411383

Only with the benefit of hindsight could 2010 be called a freak. At the time it could have been viewed as the end of a Dublin revival. No All Ireland since 1995, and they did not turn any of their 5 in a row Leinsters up to 2009 into an All Ireland Final appearance. Neither would many have predicted their complete domination of Leinster titles from 2011, or their 6 in a row All Irelands.

Dublin beat Wexford by a goal in the 2011 Final and Meath by a goal in 2012. It was only after that the rot in Leinster football outside of Dublin set in. But it was the 6 in a row which provoked the calls for Dublin to be split into two. Leinster is no worse than Munster for inequality.

gormdubhgorm · 21-04-2026 01:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124411503#Comment_124411503

Dublin also didn’t win a league between 1993 and 2013. Lost league final to Cork 99 and 11.
Irs so odd now seeing a Wicklow side play with more energy and physicality than a Dublin side. But that is the reality of where Dublin are now.

The_Kew_Tour · 21-04-2026 02:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124410583#Comment_124410583

If you had said that this time last year people would tell ya to get off the drugs.

It's welcome to see a change if it does come about. Lot football still to be played of course.

gormdubhgorm · 21-04-2026 03:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124411592#Comment_124411592

I thought Westmeath were going to be in doldrums for another decade or more div 3 etc.

I heard if Louth defend their title it will be the first time since 1910. By the way Westmeath have never faced Louth in a Leinster final. Furthest was a semi-final in Leinster .

Dogsdodogsstuff · 21-04-2026 03:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124411383#Comment_124411383

Ah yeh I’d agree they aren’t strong favourites, that’s the overly pessimistic dub in me. The green shoots were there in spurts but it’s just been demoralising at times. I’m having 00s twitches , prob unfair to say so soon, but I don’t miss that decade.

Gael85 · 21-04-2026 10:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124411324#Comment_124411324

Dessie won them titles on merit. He inherited an aging squad when Dublin completed 5 in a row in 2019. He didn't have riches of talent coming through that Jim inherited. Every player going down to junior was given a chance in his reign but not many took their opportunity. His minor team players from 2011 & 2012 along with Con, Murchan and Howard were still the key players. Problem now is all them lads are now past their prime and very few have stepped up in terms of leadership.

event · 22-04-2026 12:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124411824#Comment_124411824

You have to go back to 1982 to find the last time a team other than Dublin or Meath retained Leinster, when Offaly won 3 in a row.

Hammer Archer · 25-04-2026 11:23AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124410840#Comment_124410840

No real reasons? You don't think it had something to do with beating Dublin, Kerry and Galway in the championship last year and beating all teams on the way to the division 2 title? If pundits weren't actually watching matches and seeing the issues with our defence, those results would point to a team that had an excellent chance at a provincial title. Also, given that Louth got over that hurdle last year, they'd likely assume that they wouldn't be putting as much effort to win it this year.

And bookies aren't going to be swayed by a few bets in the championship, that's ridiculous in this day and age. If a few Leitrim people put bets on them to win Connacht, they're not magically going to be favourites in the bookies. Dublin were favourites for Leinster, not Meath.

Got to say, there are some weird reactions from Louth fans to Meath's loss. I know it's online so not representative, but a lot seemed to be more invested in Meath's game than their own. From last year, there seemed to be a bit of a "how dare you" attitude when Meath went on to have a productive season after losing the Leinster final. Louth obviously achieved a massive thing by winning Leinster so understandably took their eyes off the rest of the championship. But you feel they have to start taking scalps of bigger teams this championship season to progress from that.

Football Championship 2026 (Mod Note in OP)

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