Football Championship 2026 (Mod Note in OP)

It will be a massive scramble for tickets for the Sunday. Trains from Dundalk already sold out, a number of supporter buses already full and trying to get second and third ones. And thats just from the Wee County

Hard match to call aswell, given how Monaghan have upped the levels lately. I always think it is funny that their centre half back is the Monaghan main scoring threat.

I was thinking naming the all stars for this year in the half back line will be a nightmare to pick, All three from Westmeath definitely in the mix, Ward with Monaghan definitely should get a mention, Meath I am not so sure give their defensive issues. But Keoghan might get a nomination given his level of service etc. That's before we even get to the usual picks from the finalists and semi finalists.

10+ will come from the finalists and the others from semi finalists.

You'll get the odd player from other teams.

It's not really a fair reflection but that's the way it is.

For example Michael Langan is definitely one of the best footballers in Ireland but won't get an All Star.

Likewise Oisin Conaty.

Driscoll of Cork is having a mighty season too.

I wonder will a few lads from Armagh, Donegal etc say to themselves this winter we're not within an asses roar of Kerry n sod this inter county caper. It has to have been a fairly soul destroying weekend for some of em

Doubt Donegal would be thinking that having beaten them 3 times this season whatever their issues.

Armagh are probably at the end of their cycle alright but they maxed out with what they had. Without really any minor or under 20/21 success to speak of it was extraordinary they turned over Kerry in 2024 and wouldn't have been a surprise had they won on Saturday.

The difference for them is that the likes of Rian O Neill and Grimley aren't there now. O Neills flair is something they lack with the insistence on running the ball.

Agreed.

Don't know what the armagh full back was at, it was an easy uncontested catch and he went with the fist and made a balls of it.

Kerry are pretty structured to in how they play; they just have a strong emphasis in quick attacks, and as there is no one quicker than a kicked ball, they kick the ball more.

They have better quality ball players than most though.

In terms of structure, when they have the ball possession is nearly entirely dominated by Paidi, Big Joe, SOS, Breen and both wing backs. It looks like both midfielders jobs don't are almost sidelined in this phase of the game.

For example in all Ireland last year both spent a lot of time in around square while Paidi was running the game around midfield. They were never getting the ball but they tied up two Donegal men.

I think the players listed above are given huge freedom but we are talking about a generational talent in D Clifford and football's Pirlo in P Clifford; they along with SOS don't need much coaching.

Also they are really structured how they bring D Clifford into game. There's no 50/50 balls sent his way, probably to avoid giving defenders a chance to nail him and also his presence alone causes chaos and he is often a decoy.

They have picked a team with four midfielders plus SOS coming back just to get the edge for kick outs.

If they continue with getting more possession or even break even nobody is going to beat them.

I was at the game Saturday and watched the highlights on YouTube GAA plus. I couldn't believe they left out Dylan Geaneys first point. He was running almost parallel to ending on right hand side and at full speed kicked with his right foot from the tightest of angles. It is only a score the most confident of forwards would take on and get.

It's quite the full forward line now serviced by the lads listed above.

In fairness when one quarter of Division One gets relegated each season, logic would suggest that it is a fleetingly rare occurrence that the best 8 teams are ever in that division. And even if they are, then 2 of them are going to be relegated in the next renewal.

And for Division 2, half the teams in it every year won't be in it the following year, so the concept of 'Division 2 standard' is very nebulous.

Not having a go at the system as 2 up, 2 down keeps excitement to the final set of group games, but it definitely means you can't read much into what it means for overall comparision come the championship.

Just announced that Paul Clancy 2 time all ireland winner with Galway has passed away, only 49.

Class player, Galway had a great forward line in those days such a lovely team to watch, Joyce, Donnellan, Savage, Fallon, Clancy, Finnegan all top class players.