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Group 1: Ulster winner (Armagh/Donegal), Mayo, Tyrone, Cavan.
Group 2: Kerry, Leinster runner up (Meath/Louth), Roscommon, Cork.
Group 3: Leinster winner (Meath/Louth), Clare, Monaghan, Down.
Group 4: Galway, Ulster runner up (Armagh/Donegal), Dublin, Derry.
Confirmed Round 1 fixtures May 17th/18th:
Mayo v Cavan
Kerry v Roscommon
Clare v Down
Galway v Dublin
The remaining Round 1 fixtures will be played the weekend after. Group winners go direct to quarter finals. Last placed teams are eliminated. 2nd and 3rd contest preliminary quarter finals. Last year of this controversial format of 3 from 4 advancing from the group and the strongly perceived lack of jeopardy.
I think all groups will have a battle to avoid elimination this year. Clare v Down will probably go a long way to deciding elimination from Group 3. The lowest two counties based on league will go head to head.
legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8772 - 05/05/2025 10:00:44
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Just an observation from the last few years.
The group winners get a massive advantage as they end up in a qfinal fresh, after they teams in the prelim q finals have had to play hard three weeks in a row.
If I am coaching a county team, I'm thinking, get to the finals fresh, regardless of how you get there.
If I'm one of the tough groups, I'm thinking get your points early in the first two matches and rest your team for the final match.
You'll have a high probability of a relatively winnable prelim game against a team from the two weaker groups to tune you up for the final
If you go full throttle in the groups, you could well be punch drunk by the end of the groups and run out of steam by q finals.
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1378 - 06/05/2025 06:50:48
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Can anybody explain why the time clock was stopped at 64 minutes 38 seconds as play went on in the Connacht Final on Sunday? Anyone with the match recorded can check it. It went on for 1 minute and 20 secs. A bit unusual as it gave the chasing team extra time to try and rescue the game.
conordee (Galway) - Posts: 453 - 06/05/2025 08:55:00
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After the matches in each group the winners go to ghe quarter finals. Then there's a playoff off between the second placed teams and the third placed teams for the last spot in the quarter finals. Here is my question?
In group one for example does the second placed team play the third placed team from group one or is it the third placed team from another group like group 3?
border Gael (Monaghan) - Posts: 909 - 06/05/2025 09:09:39
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Replying To border Gael: "After the matches in each group the winners go to ghe quarter finals. Then there's a playoff off between the second placed teams and the third placed teams for the last spot in the quarter finals. Here is my question?
In group one for example does the second placed team play the third placed team from group one or is it the third placed team from another group like group 3?" Yes correct Preliminary Quarter Final is seeded ie 2nd in Group 1 v 3rd in Group 4. This much controversial structure will make way for a familiar back door system in 2026.
francie81 (Louth) - Posts: 232 - 06/05/2025 10:12:39
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Replying To francie81: "Yes correct Preliminary Quarter Final is seeded ie 2nd in Group 1 v 3rd in Group 4. This much controversial structure will make way for a familiar back door system in 2026." Is it not a draw for PQF, Qf and semis?
Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 2289 - 06/05/2025 11:01:45
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Replying To francie81: "Yes correct Preliminary Quarter Final is seeded ie 2nd in Group 1 v 3rd in Group 4. This much controversial structure will make way for a familiar back door system in 2026." Thank you Francie. And is it group one verses group 4 for sure? I thought that before it was group one verses group 3 and group 2 verses group 4.?
border Gael (Monaghan) - Posts: 909 - 06/05/2025 11:01:54
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Replying To border Gael: "Thank you Francie. And is it group one verses group 4 for sure? I thought that before it was group one verses group 3 and group 2 verses group 4.?" Galway were second in Group 1 last year and played ye, 3rd group 4 in the prelim.
FullOfPorter (Roscommon) - Posts: 82 - 06/05/2025 11:44:03
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Group 1: Ulster winner, Mayo, Tyrone, Cavan
Group 2: Kerry, Leinster runner-up, Roscommon, Cork
Group 3: Leinster winner, Clare, Monaghan, Down
Group 4: Galway, Ulster runner-up, Dublin, Derry
If this plays out to form
Group 1:
Donegal
Mayo
Tyrone
Cavan
Group 2:
Kerry
Roscommon
Cork
Louth
Group 3:
Monaghan
Meath,
Down,
Clare,
Group 4:
Galway,
Armagh,
Dublin,
Derry
The draw for prelim q finals would be
Pot 1 - Mayo, Roscommon, Meath, Armagh (Home teams)
Pot 2 - Tyrone, Cork, Down, Dublin
in that scenario, Mayo could only get Cork, Down or Dublin, Armagh could only get Tyrone, Cork or Down.
The toughest draw of the lot is Galway - home to Dublin, Away to Derry and either Donegal in Breffni park or Armagh in the Hyde (or Maybe even Croker).
lose one they are in a prelim q final
9 matches v div1 teams in 14 weeks to win an All Ireland - there has never been as hard a route to an All Ireland.
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1378 - 06/05/2025 12:21:18
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Over 27,000 people enjoyed an absolutely rip roaring contest in the Connacht Final in Castlebar on Sunday. Nobody has the right to end our provincial championships. Nobody. There's too much history and rivalry and banter and craic and brilliant sport and joy. Munster and Leinster GAA can get their houses in order and change is happening in Leinster at least, with a Louth v Meath final.
Let's leave the brilliant Connacht and Ulster championships right where they are, the others too, thank you very much. We're not the owners of this tradition, we're only its stewards. To see the emotion on that pitch in Castlebar immediately after the match on Sunday, from 5 year olds to 90 year olds, it shows exactly what a provincial title still means. 'To break a tradition is easy; to understand its weight is not.'
togoutlads (Galway) - Posts: 1047 - 06/05/2025 12:36:33
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Replying To tirawleybaron: "Group 1: Ulster winner, Mayo, Tyrone, Cavan
Group 2: Kerry, Leinster runner-up, Roscommon, Cork
Group 3: Leinster winner, Clare, Monaghan, Down
Group 4: Galway, Ulster runner-up, Dublin, Derry
If this plays out to form
Group 1:
Donegal
Mayo
Tyrone
Cavan
Group 2:
Kerry
Roscommon
Cork
Louth
Group 3:
Monaghan
Meath,
Down,
Clare,
Group 4:
Galway,
Armagh,
Dublin,
Derry
The draw for prelim q finals would be
Pot 1 - Mayo, Roscommon, Meath, Armagh (Home teams)
Pot 2 - Tyrone, Cork, Down, Dublin
in that scenario, Mayo could only get Cork, Down or Dublin, Armagh could only get Tyrone, Cork or Down.
The toughest draw of the lot is Galway - home to Dublin, Away to Derry and either Donegal in Breffni park or Armagh in the Hyde (or Maybe even Croker).
lose one they are in a prelim q final
9 matches v div1 teams in 14 weeks to win an All Ireland - there has never been as hard a route to an All Ireland." On current form Galway will beat Dublin and Derry. Their tougher games will keep them on their toes and stand to them. Kerry don't look like they'll be tested before the quarter final.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7959 - 06/05/2025 13:11:24
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Replying To togoutlads: "Over 27,000 people enjoyed an absolutely rip roaring contest in the Connacht Final in Castlebar on Sunday. Nobody has the right to end our provincial championships. Nobody. There's too much history and rivalry and banter and craic and brilliant sport and joy. Munster and Leinster GAA can get their houses in order and change is happening in Leinster at least, with a Louth v Meath final.
Let's leave the brilliant Connacht and Ulster championships right where they are, the others too, thank you very much. We're not the owners of this tradition, we're only its stewards. To see the emotion on that pitch in Castlebar immediately after the match on Sunday, from 5 year olds to 90 year olds, it shows exactly what a provincial title still means. 'To break a tradition is easy; to understand its weight is not.'" Absolutely, that must of being one of the best Connacht Finals recent times and was testament of what the Championship is all about as you pointed out, to even consider the possibility of removing the provincials would be lunacy and should be met with resistance.
francie81 (Louth) - Posts: 232 - 06/05/2025 13:22:01
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Replying To border Gael: "Thank you Francie. And is it group one verses group 4 for sure? I thought that before it was group one verses group 3 and group 2 verses group 4.?" Last year there was an open draw for the preliminary quarter finals, 4 second place teams in bowl 1 drawn against 4 third place teams in bowl 2.
Open draw again for the quarter finals last year.
Pretty sure it's the same this year.
sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 882 - 06/05/2025 13:26:29
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Replying To togoutlads: "Over 27,000 people enjoyed an absolutely rip roaring contest in the Connacht Final in Castlebar on Sunday. Nobody has the right to end our provincial championships. Nobody. There's too much history and rivalry and banter and craic and brilliant sport and joy. Munster and Leinster GAA can get their houses in order and change is happening in Leinster at least, with a Louth v Meath final.
Let's leave the brilliant Connacht and Ulster championships right where they are, the others too, thank you very much. We're not the owners of this tradition, we're only its stewards. To see the emotion on that pitch in Castlebar immediately after the match on Sunday, from 5 year olds to 90 year olds, it shows exactly what a provincial title still means. 'To break a tradition is easy; to understand its weight is not.'" Yes Galway/Mayo was indeed a truly brilliant game bjut Cork/Kerry was also a rip roaring affair that even we t into extra time.Many did nt see that game as it was nt on rte but it was truly outstanding.Munster championship gets bad press as a one team province but Cork and Kerry games are more often tban not very close.
Also Cork footballers always kind of looked down on.Its worth remembering they are good and two years ago they beat Mayo in tbe championship and last year they beat Donegal.
Cork will once agakn this year have another top result or two.
Watch this space!
CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3901 - 06/05/2025 13:37:49
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Replying To CiarraiMick: "Yes Galway/Mayo was indeed a truly brilliant game bjut Cork/Kerry was also a rip roaring affair that even we t into extra time.Many did nt see that game as it was nt on rte but it was truly outstanding.Munster championship gets bad press as a one team province but Cork and Kerry games are more often tban not very close.
Also Cork footballers always kind of looked down on.Its worth remembering they are good and two years ago they beat Mayo in tbe championship and last year they beat Donegal.
Cork will once agakn this year have another top result or two.
Watch this space!" Yup agree Cork are a dangerous team !
Still proud of mayo came out and showed we are not done yet and we are a much better team then alot of people think . We should have won that game but can't close out tight games .
Galway won't win sam I'd say it will go to Donegal , Kerry or Armagh .
S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 140 - 06/05/2025 14:18:16
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Replying To CiarraiMick: "Yes Galway/Mayo was indeed a truly brilliant game bjut Cork/Kerry was also a rip roaring affair that even we t into extra time.Many did nt see that game as it was nt on rte but it was truly outstanding.Munster championship gets bad press as a one team province but Cork and Kerry games are more often tban not very close.
Also Cork footballers always kind of looked down on.Its worth remembering they are good and two years ago they beat Mayo in tbe championship and last year they beat Donegal.
Cork will once agakn this year have another top result or two.
Watch this space!" Dont get lost in the excitement of one good final.
Munster has had 1 good game out of 5 (20%)
Connacht has had 1 good game out of 6 (16%)
Leinster had had 3 good games out of 9 so far. Good chance of 4 from 10 (40%)
Ulster has had 3 good games out of 7 so far. Good chance of 4 of 8 (50%)
If you took out the weakest 16 teams out of the provincials (hurling omits the weakest 21 counties) and youd have a high quality championship on a footing with anything the hurling lads can put on.
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1378 - 06/05/2025 14:51:04
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Agreed on sentiment of keeping provinces.
Donegal v Armagh is going to feel very much like a must win.
Lose and you're in group of death.
First up a Derry side that have had a six week camp to ambush a battered side. This is no gimme no matter how far many feel Derry have fallen.
Lose it and you're in group then have to go to Croke Park to face a Dublin side also probably playing for their lives if they lose as expected in Galway.
Final game is neutral to Galway. Hope would be that Galway rest players having won previous two but with 1st place really important, it's unlikely to be another other than another killer game.
Hard to see the beaten Ulster runner up having the momentum to top group and then you're into prelims where you'd pray to avoid someone from group 1 to get to an All Ireland Quarter Final
shaggykev (Donegal) - Posts: 322 - 06/05/2025 15:20:12
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Replying To togoutlads: "Over 27,000 people enjoyed an absolutely rip roaring contest in the Connacht Final in Castlebar on Sunday. Nobody has the right to end our provincial championships. Nobody. There's too much history and rivalry and banter and craic and brilliant sport and joy. Munster and Leinster GAA can get their houses in order and change is happening in Leinster at least, with a Louth v Meath final.
Let's leave the brilliant Connacht and Ulster championships right where they are, the others too, thank you very much. We're not the owners of this tradition, we're only its stewards. To see the emotion on that pitch in Castlebar immediately after the match on Sunday, from 5 year olds to 90 year olds, it shows exactly what a provincial title still means. 'To break a tradition is easy; to understand its weight is not.'" If the Cork v Kerry semi final was actually the final - Munster would have had a great final. There needs to be a re-assessment of lopsided draws. Clare would be better off in the Tailteann after their league finish. They only had go beat a Division 4 opponent to qualify. Madness!
legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8772 - 06/05/2025 16:54:59
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Replying To tirawleybaron: "Dont get lost in the excitement of one good final.
Munster has had 1 good game out of 5 (20%)
Connacht has had 1 good game out of 6 (16%)
Leinster had had 3 good games out of 9 so far. Good chance of 4 from 10 (40%)
Ulster has had 3 good games out of 7 so far. Good chance of 4 of 8 (50%)
If you took out the weakest 16 teams out of the provincials (hurling omits the weakest 21 counties) and youd have a high quality championship on a footing with anything the hurling lads can put on." True enough.The hurling is an enigma too.
I mean the Leinster championship is a cod.I dont mean the teams but the name.
I mean Antrim and Galway are not from Leinster and Kerry hurlers also played in the Leinster championship only a few years ago.We were nt allowed play in the Munster championship
CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3901 - 06/05/2025 17:45:25
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Replying To S1234: "Yup agree Cork are a dangerous team !
Still proud of mayo came out and showed we are not done yet and we are a much better team then alot of people think . We should have won that game but can't close out tight games .
Galway won't win sam I'd say it will go to Donegal , Kerry or Armagh ." Yds and you ahould be proud of Mayo.Also if Paddy Durcan gets match fit and Tommy Conroy comes back they could have a big championship yet.
CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3901 - 06/05/2025 17:47:32
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