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Football Championship 2026

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Replying To legendzxix:  "The current system at the All Ireland 16 stage is great. There needs to be more head to head clashes for the 7 league qualifier spots. Some teams are a bit too comfortable losing a provincial match and going straight through to the All Ireland series regardless."
Teams that are facing a relatively long provincial run of 4 tough matches against Div1/2 sides might understandably take that approach. It would be different for them if it were just a Div4 team in a semi than a Div2 team in a final.
Perspectives on provincials differ in that regard.

Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1358 - 16/06/2026 16:03:35    2680200

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Replying To legendzxix:  "The current system at the All Ireland 16 stage is great. There needs to be more head to head clashes for the 7 league qualifier spots. Some teams are a bit too comfortable losing a provincial match and going straight through to the All Ireland series regardless."
I disagree. NFL status is competitively fought for every season Jan-March, and imo presents the perfect framework to seed the Sam Maguire competition, as required for current Sam competition qualification.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4815 - 16/06/2026 16:13:39    2680203

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Replying To Eddie the Exile:  "Teams that are facing a relatively long provincial run of 4 tough matches against Div1/2 sides might understandably take that approach. It would be different for them if it were just a Div4 team in a semi than a Div2 team in a final.
Perspectives on provincials differ in that regard."
The Munster semi final went to extra time last year. Cork lost but still went straight into the All Ireland regardless. A knockout playoff would have tested them.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9833 - 16/06/2026 16:56:28    2680208

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "I disagree. NFL status is competitively fought for every season Jan-March, and imo presents the perfect framework to seed the Sam Maguire competition, as required for current Sam competition qualification."
I get what you are saying. But like.. there are at least 7 league qualifier spots. It's not unreasonable to have 2 qualifying rounds using league seeding:
Qualifying Round 1 - 5 byes on league on league ranking. Teams 6 to 14 drawn against 15 to 23, separate draw for home game.
Qualifying Round 2 - teams 1 to 7 drawn against 8 to 14, separate draw for home game.

Everyone gets two bites at All Ireland qualification.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9833 - 16/06/2026 17:54:51    2680219

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Hmmm.
Donegal lost to Down
Meath lost to Westmeath
Mayo lost to Roscommon
Tyrone lost to Armagh
Cavan lost to Monaghan
Derry lost to Monaghan
Louth lost to Dublin
All 7 carried onto the All Ireland series regardless. No knockout playoff jeopardy to keep them honest. Down getting a shot at someone in a knockout playoff would have been interesting."
I see your point, there is no 'Down' in Munster right now as evidenced by the Tailteann cup form. So who benefits again???

Expertinall (UK) - Posts: 164 - 16/06/2026 18:08:29    2680223

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Hmmm.
Donegal lost to Down
Meath lost to Westmeath
Mayo lost to Roscommon
Tyrone lost to Armagh
Cavan lost to Monaghan
Derry lost to Monaghan
Louth lost to Dublin
All 7 carried onto the All Ireland series regardless. No knockout playoff jeopardy to keep them honest. Down getting a shot at someone in a knockout playoff would have been interesting."
You just don't get it, the AI Series is now stand alone seperate competition. For years teams in uncompetitive provinces were getting a free run to an All Ireland semi final.
No surprise where you are from in questioning the new format. Kerry for a change are having to earn their place in an All Ireland quarter final. It's now a fairer system where all teams are getting a fair crack. This years Championship is a breathe of fresh air.

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 1014 - 16/06/2026 18:21:07    2680226

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "You just don't get it, the AI Series is now stand alone seperate competition. For years teams in uncompetitive provinces were getting a free run to an All Ireland semi final.
No surprise where you are from in questioning the new format. Kerry for a change are having to earn their place in an All Ireland quarter final. It's now a fairer system where all teams are getting a fair crack. This years Championship is a breathe of fresh air."
Exactly. You're earning your place in the all ireland series primarily during the league which is a much fairer system.

WeGoAgain (Donegal) - Posts: 210 - 16/06/2026 20:56:57    2680245

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "You just don't get it, the AI Series is now stand alone seperate competition. For years teams in uncompetitive provinces were getting a free run to an All Ireland semi final.
No surprise where you are from in questioning the new format. Kerry for a change are having to earn their place in an All Ireland quarter final. It's now a fairer system where all teams are getting a fair crack. This years Championship is a breathe of fresh air."
Ahem, if the AI Series was a standalone separate competition there would be promotion and relegation between the All Ireland and Tailteann.
There's a certain tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico at the moment. A certain playoff semi final was receiving a lot of attention in March. The GAA could have there own playoff semi finals and finals for the 7 league qualifier spots.
Down and Leitrim put in a brave effort in their respective provinces. Why deprive these brave counties a playoff shot at All Ireland qualification..

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9833 - 16/06/2026 21:06:43    2680249

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "You just don't get it, the AI Series is now stand alone seperate competition. For years teams in uncompetitive provinces were getting a free run to an All Ireland semi final.
No surprise where you are from in questioning the new format. Kerry for a change are having to earn their place in an All Ireland quarter final. It's now a fairer system where all teams are getting a fair crack. This years Championship is a breathe of fresh air."
A simple poll from different counties, who likes the new system?

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2766 - 16/06/2026 22:21:18    2680253

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