Football Championship 2026 (Mod Note in OP)

PressRun · 26-04-2026 06:08PM

Not shocked at all by the Mayo Roscommon result. The signs were there during the league. We've major issues in key positions, midfield has been regularly cleaned out in any game of importance for the last 5 years. We haven't had a truly imposing midfield since the mid-2010s. With the current rules, I just don't see how any team can win without a solid midfield that can mix it up with anyone and we don't have that and haven't had it in a while. That's not even getting into the full back issues we have.

sligeach · 26-04-2026 06:14PM

So Mayo and Roscommon will go to a replay? 😜

Screenshot_2026-04-26-18-11-37-527-edit_com.android.chrome.jpg

https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2026/0426/1570282-sundays-football-championship-updates/

Tombo2001 · 26-04-2026 08:33PM

no disrespect to Kerry but Ulster is where its at in football without a doubt. Tyrone, Donegal already out before the Ulster semi-finals; it wouldnt be a shock if those two made an AI semi final. And Louth is almost an honorary Ulster county.

Bass Reeves · 26-04-2026 08:41PM

So Kerry, Cork, Roscommon, Galway, are on one side of the draw, with Donegal, Mayo, Tyrone and Meath on the other so far one of Louth and Dublin will be in each pot as well. One of Derry and Monoghan. You would expect Armagh to beat Down but itbis not guaranteed

If Westmeath beat Kildare then it makes the A side and Kildare go into the B side. If Down and Westmeath win Cavan plays in the Tailtean

Bass Reeves · 26-04-2026 08:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124423932#Comment_124423932

No disrespect to Ulster but did Jim decide that a run to the ulster final takes too much out of a team. 4-5 weeks to train, play friendlies. Is the effort used in Ulster a disadvantage if you want to win an AI.

Gael85 · 26-04-2026 08:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124423560#Comment_124423560

Dublin played with a strong wind in first half that day. The goalie was barely hitting the 45 with kickouts.

legendary.xix · 26-04-2026 09:19PM

Fair play to Roscommon. They backed up their good league campaign.

Down, what a result! A result that has been coming for them. Down and Westmeath making provincial finals will send Cavan to Tailteann if things pan out like that.

The league qualification criteria should be reviewed. Harsh to lose out because of results elsewhere. Direct qualification from league placing was a step too far. League seeding could be used for 2 qualifier rounds - for 24 counties to playoff for 7 or 8 places. Not overly complicated.

dxhound2005 · 26-04-2026 09:28PM

Reviewed by who?

dxhound2005 · 26-04-2026 11:09PM

The scores including 2 pointers. 223 scores in 6 games, average 37.

Tipperary 1-12 (1-2-8) Cork 4-18 (4-2-14). Clare 1-14 (1-2-10). Kerry 2-19 (2-3-13).

Fermanagh 1-24 (1-7-10) Armagh 2-32 (2-3-26). Donegal 1-21 (1-4-13) Down 3-21 (3-2-17).

Leitrim 2-12 (2-2-8) Galway 1-20 (1-3-14). Mayo 1-18 (1-2-14) Roscommon 2-25 (2-2-21).

Dickie10 · 26-04-2026 11:13PM

fully think most Cacan fans would be delighted to go into tailteann from what I’m hearing

The_Kew_Tour · 27-04-2026 12:09AM

Listening to Jack O Connor on radio earlier it looks like Kerry will have to field some of the u12s to play in Munster final. Think they lack few balls too so might not be able to train for next few weeks.

Honestly never known a team that are more depressed when they win.

If they were in any other province they would not get away with trash talk they do.

Bass Reeves · 27-04-2026 12:36AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124424314#Comment_124424314

Kerry are carrying significant number of injuries at present. Some may be tweaks but a few are out a while.

Shane Ryan has not played this year

Brian O Bealoigh

Sean O Brien

Joe O Connor

Graham O Sullivan

Sean O Shea

Dylan Geany

5 of them started the AI final last year Shane, Joe and Sean O Shea are critical players. Cork are no push over. Its 2 weeks to MF. We will be lu ky to have 2 of the 6 back

yabadabado · 27-04-2026 12:47AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124423543#Comment_124423543

Only one started today but 3 came off the bench.

If everyone was available,then there would be 9 or 10 involved.

Can make a very good case for 5 of them starting .

blowitupref · 27-04-2026 12:49AM

Provincial championship continues to spring surprise results. How many seen Down beating Donegal and scoring 3-20 whiie doing and Roscommon beating Mayo by 10 points without the suspended Daire Cregg and are full value for that win.

Bass Reeves · 27-04-2026 12:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124424338#Comment_124424338

Mayo are a team in decline at present. Aidan O Shea is 35 and should not be starting now. Cillian O Connor should be gone. That result was not a huge surprise. Down beating Donegal was

RoyalCelt · 27-04-2026 01:22AM

Provincials proving their worth.

Westmeath and down with big shocks. Roscommon beating Mayo a big result and Wicklow/Leitrim with huge performances against the big guns.

Only negative, a long long break for the likes of meath and Donegal but you can't keep everyone happy.

Charles Babbage · 27-04-2026 10:16AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124424348#Comment_124424348

And Tyrone will have even longer to wait, as they did last year when they did rightly.

Tombo2001 · 27-04-2026 11:02AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124424240#Comment_124424240

Interesting to see Fermanagh way out in front for 2 pointers (yet still easily beaten) - wonder did they have a high wide count also, must have been something they trained for. Armagh with a score per minute almost is also of note.

bucketybuck · 27-04-2026 11:08AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124424338#Comment_124424338

Funny enough I was listening to the Newstalk sports show while driving on Saturday and one of the lads speaking had suggested this result. In a "Donegal will be favourites but I think Down will do something there, I think there could be a shock".

Just found it interesting, I guess some people saw it coming.

downthemiddle · 27-04-2026 12:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124423959#Comment_124423959

Not everything is a yerra. Donegal were completely flat yesterday. This is the real test of this squad, especially if the rumours about Langan are true.

event · 27-04-2026 01:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124420596#Comment_124420596

To be fair, there was just as weird a reaction from Meath fans last year. The amount of slagging I got, both online and in person, cos ye got to the semi finals and we 'only' won Leinster was bizarre

dxhound2005 · 27-04-2026 02:01PM

The Tailteann Cup draw has been made. Leitrim awaiting the outcome of this weekend's games. They could be playing high flying Down. New York will join in later.

https://www.gaeliclife.com/news/2026-tailteann-cup-draw/

Here are the pairings.

Round 1- May 9/10 or May 16/17
Fermanagh v Longford
Laois v Wicklow
Clare v Offaly
Carlow v Antrim
Wexford v Limerick
Team 16 v Leitrim
Sligo v Tipperary
Waterford v London

The ’16th team’ will be, depending on results, will either be Westmeath, Down or Cavan.

*Any team involved in a Provincial Championship fixture on the weekend of May 2/3 will play their game on the weekend of May 16/17.

dxhound2005 · 27-04-2026 02:06PM

Des Cahill gave out the wrong score for Donegal v Down, both at 7.35 and 8.35, even though both were live.

https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22604456/

RoyalCelt · 27-04-2026 02:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124424719#Comment_124424719

Did any team last year benefit from such a long wait?

threeball · 27-04-2026 04:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124424340#Comment_124424340

No idea what Moran was thinking bringing in COC, in a game where his team was being ran off the pitch. Brings in a 35yr old with no pace to do what exactly.

Great 2nd half display from Roscommon. Galway are really going to struggle to contain them. So much more pace and a very clear gameplan. We'll be relying on the X factor from Walsh and Finnerty to try and get over the line.

FintanMcluskey · 27-04-2026 04:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124426034#Comment_124426034

The Galway backs & midfield are an entirely different prospect than what Roscommon faced vs Mayo.

Dickie10 · 27-04-2026 06:52PM

I think cork will win Munster this year Kerry won’t rush players back . Tgey won’t be too worried about Munster title

Dogsdodogsstuff · 27-04-2026 06:55PM

Meath, Donegal and Mayo , not sure you’d see that many first division teams go out of provincials that early that often. Dublin (former div 1) prob likely to follow this weekend although I can’t imagine anybody’s afraid of getting us at the moment.

We could see Donegal v Kerry after Munster final, would be some playoff game, don’t think they could play that in Croker (think provincial finalists get home draw) which is a shame as I’d go to that. Really could potentially be some savage play off first round ties.

Bass Reeves · 27-04-2026 07:52PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124426422#Comment_124426422

And why would you not go to Killarney if Kerry won Munster to see the game played.

Bass Reeves · 27-04-2026 07:53PM

The munster cup is after being named after Paudi O Se. Kerry will want the revords to show that they won it first after renaming

Football Championship 2026 (Mod Note in OP)

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