National Forum

Football Format Changes Discussion

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "Now we are this far along - their is merit in seeing what has worked and what has not.

Seedings - provincial losers shouldn't be seeded in the draw

Auto entry - Westmeath may not play in the All Ireland championship next year - even if they get promoted - 2026 trophy winners should have automatic entry to Sam Maguire the following year
I would much rather see Westmeath in Sam Maguire giving it a rattle than having Cavan knocking around making as much impact as a bird fart.

Gap weeks - we all have been hit with a load of matches week on week. Room needs to be found in the schedule.

Cutting the league back to groups of 6 is the only method now left to gain weeks if the finals date cant be pushed out."
On the league, it could go to 2 groups of 4 in each division. Its far from ideal but I dont see how 6 will work with 32 competing teams. Im not sure how you would make groups of 4 fair either but mathematically its the only way to shorten league and create space in calender. We cant start earlier.

I agree on most of the rest. I do think that provincial finalists should be seeded but its not a deal breaker. I also liked the 4 groups of 4 as it was fairer and gave everyone more games which is a goal especially in the Tailteann Cup.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 593 - 22/06/2026 14:21:09    2681249

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "Now we are this far along - their is merit in seeing what has worked and what has not.

Seedings - provincial losers shouldn't be seeded in the draw

Auto entry - Westmeath may not play in the All Ireland championship next year - even if they get promoted - 2026 trophy winners should have automatic entry to Sam Maguire the following year
I would much rather see Westmeath in Sam Maguire giving it a rattle than having Cavan knocking around making as much impact as a bird fart.

Gap weeks - we all have been hit with a load of matches week on week. Room needs to be found in the schedule.

Cutting the league back to groups of 6 is the only method now left to gain weeks if the finals date cant be pushed out."
I think it would be great to have the four 2B losers (Cavan, Kildare, Roscommon and Derry) play relegation semi finals and a final, with the loser going down and the Tailteann winner going up.
Gives teams like Westmeath a benefit for their championship performance, with their 1st round win guaranteeing Sam Maguire status for next year.
I don't like the idea of a slow start in January affecting your championship status the following May!

Ciaran359 (Galway) - Posts: 34 - 22/06/2026 15:35:32    2681272

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It is interesting that 3 of the 4 Provincial Champions are now out of the running for Sam Maguire at the 1/4 Final stage….!

It is now incredibly tough for a team to maintain that level of intensity, physical and emotional energy in the All-Ireland series after enjoying a massive Provincial Championship win.

With 3 Provinces now very competitive, I think this trend may very well continue tbh….

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 5103 - 22/06/2026 15:43:04    2681278

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "On the league, it could go to 2 groups of 4 in each division. Its far from ideal but I dont see how 6 will work with 32 competing teams. Im not sure how you would make groups of 4 fair either but mathematically its the only way to shorten league and create space in calender. We cant start earlier.

I agree on most of the rest. I do think that provincial finalists should be seeded but its not a deal breaker. I also liked the 4 groups of 4 as it was fairer and gave everyone more games which is a goal especially in the Tailteann Cup."
See div 1&2 teams in their provinces - all enter at qfinal stage
Div 1 7 teams - no final
Div 2 7 teams - no final
Div 3A, 3B, Div 4 - all 6 teams (league finals)- finishes earlier to start provincial qualifying rounds

league
week 3 - rd 1
Week 5 - rd 2
Week 7 - rd 3
Week 9 - rd 4
Week 11 - rd 5
Week 12 - rd 6/finals

Provincials
Week 14 prelim rounds
week 15 q finals
Week 17 semis
Week 19 finals

Tailteann Cup
Week 18 Group stage 1
Week 20 Group stage 2
Week 22 Group stage 3
Week 23 prelim q final v New York
Week 25 Q finals
Week 27 Final

Sam Maguire
Week 18 Round 1 - 8 non provincial finalists play - open draw - no repeat pairings (8 teams)
Week 19 - provincial finals (8 teams)
Week 20 Round 1A - 4 losing counties play each other - (2 eliminated)
Week 21 Round 2 - winning round 1 teams play losing provincial finalists -
Week 22 Round 3 - losing Round 2 team play each other - (2 eliminated)
Week 23 Round 4 - Provincial winners v round 2A and Round 3 winners (prov winners at home)
Week 25 Q finals - round 2 winners and round 4 winners.
Week 27 semi
week 29 final

Minimum of 2 weeks between games - maximum of 4

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1910 - 22/06/2026 16:13:09    2681295

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