National Forum

Looking Forward To 2026

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


It was generally accepted after the league that there were 7 strong contenders. Will see in the league if that has changed over the winter.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9320 - 20/12/2025 17:53:43    2649006

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "It was generally accepted after the league that there were 7 strong contenders. Will see in the league if that has changed over the winter."
Lol yerra to you .

S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 578 - 20/12/2025 22:36:06    2649033

Link

I think the new rules have changed alot of things and Donegal would have been likely winners in the old game this year while Armagh would have been difficult to dislodge also. Teams with strong midfield platform and good shooters up front will get rewards and expect teams to kick more and be more direct. Dublin need to change their style from last few years to back to the early Jim Gavin days and if they iron out a few things could be really strong if Con stays fit. Everyone seems to be dismissing Meath as lucky last year but injuries to key players and naivety in semi final left them looking alot worse than they are capable of. Increasing squad depth, and the more experience this year means they could be a force next year. Mayo need shooters as they seem to struggle for 2 pointers and to get up to 20 pt mark. I think Galway should be managed better and are not showing true potential.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 879 - 21/12/2025 10:01:13    2649046

Link

Replying To winatallcost:  "I think the new rules have changed alot of things and Donegal would have been likely winners in the old game this year while Armagh would have been difficult to dislodge also. Teams with strong midfield platform and good shooters up front will get rewards and expect teams to kick more and be more direct. Dublin need to change their style from last few years to back to the early Jim Gavin days and if they iron out a few things could be really strong if Con stays fit. Everyone seems to be dismissing Meath as lucky last year but injuries to key players and naivety in semi final left them looking alot worse than they are capable of. Increasing squad depth, and the more experience this year means they could be a force next year. Mayo need shooters as they seem to struggle for 2 pointers and to get up to 20 pt mark. I think Galway should be managed better and are not showing true potential."
Good post . Andy said we need to nail on 2 pointers next season. Mcstay & co didn't concentrate on them enough. Andy has brought up some talented young forwards from under 20s. Like Darragh Beirne & Niall hurley. Here is hoping for a better season next year couldn't be much worse then this years season sure !

S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 578 - 21/12/2025 11:59:12    2649060

Link

Replying To winatallcost:  "I think the new rules have changed alot of things and Donegal would have been likely winners in the old game this year while Armagh would have been difficult to dislodge also. Teams with strong midfield platform and good shooters up front will get rewards and expect teams to kick more and be more direct. Dublin need to change their style from last few years to back to the early Jim Gavin days and if they iron out a few things could be really strong if Con stays fit. Everyone seems to be dismissing Meath as lucky last year but injuries to key players and naivety in semi final left them looking alot worse than they are capable of. Increasing squad depth, and the more experience this year means they could be a force next year. Mayo need shooters as they seem to struggle for 2 pointers and to get up to 20 pt mark. I think Galway should be managed better and are not showing true potential."
Obviously Kerry and Donegal were the teams that adapted best to the new rules in 2025.It is interesting that you think Donegal would have beaten Kerry in the final under the old rules.With the dynamism and attitude that Kerry brought in to the final they would have won with the old rules as well.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1210 - 21/12/2025 19:19:40    2649124

Link

Replying To gunman:  "Obviously Kerry and Donegal were the teams that adapted best to the new rules in 2025.It is interesting that you think Donegal would have beaten Kerry in the final under the old rules.With the dynamism and attitude that Kerry brought in to the final they would have won with the old rules as well."
Ironically I think Kerry only adapted during league final but really found rhythm when hammering all the Ulster teams. Not sure the old rules would have enabled them to play with such abandon. Don't think Donegal adapted at all and just played their old game within the new rules running everything through the hands.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 879 - 21/12/2025 19:46:56    2649126

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "It was generally accepted after the league that there were 7 strong contenders. Will see in the league if that has changed over the winter."
Can you the 7.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3801 - 22/12/2025 00:29:59    2649150

Link

Replying To Gaa_lover:  "Can you the 7."
Donegal, Armagh, Tyrone, Dublin, Kerry, Mayo and Galway.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9320 - 22/12/2025 13:14:28    2649189

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "Cavan were fantastic in Castlebar. Fully deserving winners.

Donegal and Galway got off to a flying start in 2025 national league. Donegal, Dublin, Galway and Armagh of course were all favourites going into quarter finals. They'll all be chomping at the bit to tear into 2026. Tyrone then and Mayo will be in All Ireland contention as well.
7 main All Ireland contenders again. Up to the challengers to mount a challenge.

ALL IRELAND CONTENDERS - 7
Donegal, Armagh, Tyrone, Dublin, Kerry, Mayo and Galway.

PROVINCIAL CHALLENGERS - 7
Monaghan, Derry, Cavan, Meath, Louth, Cork and Roscommon

TOP 16 BATTLEGROUND - 7
Down, Fermanagh, Kildare, Offaly, Westmeath, Clare and Sligo."
Your own Kerry will be the clear favourite to retain the title. Contenders will be Donegal again and Galway should they find the form if 2024,2022 instead of greatly underachieving as they did this summer.

We have seen the best of Armagh in 2024 most of their best players have retired or past their best now they are contender to reach the last 4.

Tyrone another that might reach the last 4 and that will be their class ceiling for the year. Some good young players coming through that will need time to show their true worth at senior level

Dublin back to back Quarter final exits and lost their Leinster crown for a reason. Big rebuilding job for Ger Brennan and don't have the past underage success to pick from. Probably another Quarter final exit for them.

Mayo a long way from a contender the last few years, round 12 exit in 2024, group stage exit this summer. Andy Moran will use the media to hype up the team but end result is a team far from contenders for the All-Ireland in 2026.

Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 639 - 22/12/2025 13:40:19    2649192

Link

Replying To Drax_the_destroyer:  "Your own Kerry will be the clear favourite to retain the title. Contenders will be Donegal again and Galway should they find the form if 2024,2022 instead of greatly underachieving as they did this summer.

We have seen the best of Armagh in 2024 most of their best players have retired or past their best now they are contender to reach the last 4.

Tyrone another that might reach the last 4 and that will be their class ceiling for the year. Some good young players coming through that will need time to show their true worth at senior level

Dublin back to back Quarter final exits and lost their Leinster crown for a reason. Big rebuilding job for Ger Brennan and don't have the past underage success to pick from. Probably another Quarter final exit for them.

Mayo a long way from a contender the last few years, round 12 exit in 2024, group stage exit this summer. Andy Moran will use the media to hype up the team but end result is a team far from contenders for the All-Ireland in 2026."
That's a far more realistic appraisal right now. A county might exceed those expectations, but to say there are 7 real contenders is optimistic.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 17866 - 22/12/2025 15:13:49    2649205

Link

Replying To Viking66:  "That's a far more realistic appraisal right now. A county might exceed those expectations, but to say there are 7 real contenders is optimistic."
Exactly. There is currently only one real contender and that is Kerry. They just won all ireland at a canter by 10 pts and swotted aside each of the other teams during knockouts. Maybe someone will take them out and open things up but hard to know who. Mayo and Dublin have alot of ground to make up even to be included in best of the rest.

winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 879 - 22/12/2025 16:28:51    2649218

Link

Replying To winatallcost:  "Exactly. There is currently only one real contender and that is Kerry. They just won all ireland at a canter by 10 pts and swotted aside each of the other teams during knockouts. Maybe someone will take them out and open things up but hard to know who. Mayo and Dublin have alot of ground to make up even to be included in best of the rest."
Kerry.
Donegal, Tyrone, Galway maybe.
After that......

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 285 - 22/12/2025 17:55:11    2649229

Link

Too many people have short memories. Defending champions have a target on their backs. Donegal, Dublin, Galway and Armagh were the favourites going into the quarter finals. They'll be all licking their wounds and looking to bounce back. Tyrone, Kerry and Mayo will be there or there abouts as well.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9320 - 22/12/2025 22:14:52    2649265

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "Too many people have short memories. Defending champions have a target on their backs. Donegal, Dublin, Galway and Armagh were the favourites going into the quarter finals. They'll be all licking their wounds and looking to bounce back. Tyrone, Kerry and Mayo will be there or there abouts as well."
Dublin losing to Tyrone was no surprise given they lost to Meath in Leinster and only fell over the line against Cork.

Galway losing to Meath was a shock but their form didn't make it that much of a shock, fell over the line against Mayo,Down and drew with winless Derry.

Armagh are in rebuilding mode. Tyrone's level at the moment is a semi-final than challenging for the All-Ireland.

Mayo will be there or there abouts based on what? If they reach the last 8 it will be progress on the last two years for them.


It's Kerrys titles to lose and new rules have been Taylormade for them. With the lack of challengers/contenders it's hard to see how your own Kerry don't retain the title.

My main hope for 2026 is that All Ireland series lives up to the hype as in 2025 few of the Quarter finals,Semi finals and final was very memorable for neutrals watching.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3801 - 23/12/2025 13:55:22    2649317

Link