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National Football League 2026

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Meath 0-19 Derry 1-13, Croke Park FT
A good start for Meath in their temporary home league ground. Advantage Meath already in the battle for promotion.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9380 - 24/01/2026 16:48:33    2652916

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Meath 0-19 Derry 1-13, Croke Park FT
A good start for Meath in their temporary home league ground. Advantage Meath already in the battle for promotion."
Yeah thought they would struggle in croker with the lack of atmosphere but fair play to them

I thought Derry would go up with Tyrone because of tradition but Meath have a massive advantage with that win interesting to see if Derry can bounce back

Gavlar (Roscommon) - Posts: 13 - 24/01/2026 17:34:06    2652929

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Replying To Gavlar:  "Yeah thought they would struggle in croker with the lack of atmosphere but fair play to them

I thought Derry would go up with Tyrone because of tradition but Meath have a massive advantage with that win interesting to see if Derry can bounce back"
Not sure what "tradition" advantage Derry have over Meath?? Meath are also more successful than Tyrone. Tradition counts for little (as Meath have found out) if you don't have the players.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11888 - 24/01/2026 18:24:27    2652946

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At least Dublin didn't give up. Might as well try as many new faces as possible. Going to need something before meeting Meath again, if they get that far.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3950 - 24/01/2026 21:21:21    2652971

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Replying To rossy15:  "U asked for the 7 contenders
With the exception of Derry the 7 provided it will be no great shock if anyone of the 7 won sam in 2026
That
To me means their all genuine contenders
Now I'm heading to Killarney to watch a bit
If ball for the weekend"
Will be a shock to many as most of those 7 will do well to reach the last 4 nevermind a final. And that is not the definition of what is genuine contenders.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3825 - 24/01/2026 21:32:07    2652973

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Dublin are currently a work in progress but there are signs of greenshoots for opponents to be on their guard. Home league ground advantage at the business end of the championship can be the grain of rice. Interestingly with Meath playing their home home league games in Croke Park this year - a clash of Dublin v Meath in Croke Park in the championship this year will be the first time since 2011 that Dublin won't have home league ground advantage over an opponent in Croke Park.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9380 - 24/01/2026 21:34:56    2652974

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Replying To Gaa_lover:  "Will be a shock to many as most of those 7 will do well to reach the last 4 nevermind a final. And that is not the definition of what is genuine contenders."
As only 4 teams can get into the last four then yes your post could be very correct lol.

brayballer (Wicklow) - Posts: 426 - 24/01/2026 21:43:31    2652976

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Dublin are currently a work in progress but there are signs of greenshoots for opponents to be on their guard. Home league ground advantage at the business end of the championship can be the grain of rice. Interestingly with Meath playing their home home league games in Croke Park this year - a clash of Dublin v Meath in Croke Park in the championship this year will be the first time since 2011 that Dublin won't have home league ground advantage over an opponent in Croke Park."
Meath always chose to play Dublin in Croke Park in championship for as long as i can recall.

In 1983 they might have moved replay to Navan but no. If Meath can recapture spirit of that team they'll be serious challengers in near future.

Must be 60s since last championship game in Navan.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3950 - 24/01/2026 22:24:29    2652985

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Replying To brayballer:  "As only 4 teams can get into the last four then yes your post could be very correct lol."
Defo wont be the Dubs anyways lol

S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 721 - 24/01/2026 22:43:17    2652991

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Replying To brayballer:  "As only 4 teams can get into the last four then yes your post could be very correct lol."
Tyrone,Meath reached the last 4 last year. One was their ceiling for the year the other overachieved to get that far plus helped by the fact there was no 7 contenders last year.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3825 - 25/01/2026 02:50:39    2653003

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Meath probably had biggest support if the day tiday and there's various little things that make Croke Park a home for Meath that most counties wouldn't think of they 1 or 2 hosteleries near Croke park that would be Meath central on match days even vs dublin. And things like fans waving the team bus on way into town. Etc

dickie10 (UK) - Posts: 907 - 25/01/2026 04:35:10    2653005

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Dublin are currently a work in progress but there are signs of greenshoots for opponents to be on their guard. Home league ground advantage at the business end of the championship can be the grain of rice. Interestingly with Meath playing their home home league games in Croke Park this year - a clash of Dublin v Meath in Croke Park in the championship this year will be the first time since 2011 that Dublin won't have home league ground advantage over an opponent in Croke Park."
No guarantee that Meath will be playing Dublin in the championship this year.

LilywhiteGael (Kildare) - Posts: 134 - 25/01/2026 07:45:43    2653007

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There is no guarantee that Meath will play Dublin in the championship this year. Only mere speculation on the possibility.
Good draw for Kildare away to Tyrone. Clare lost away to Down. Limerick drew with Laois. Clare and Limerick under a bit of pressure to perform in the league after all their complaining about the Munster seeding.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9380 - 25/01/2026 12:14:21    2653041

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Replying To S1234:  "Defo wont be the Dubs anyways lol"
Will you ever stop with the childish replies. Dubs still more likely to win Sam than ourselves.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11888 - 25/01/2026 12:31:47    2653046

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Mayo by 2
Kerry by 5
Armagh by 1

Cork by 3
Louth by 5

Fermanagh by 1
Westmeath by 4
London by 1
Antrim by leitrim by 1

Auldleitrimgael (Leitrim) - Posts: 49 - 25/01/2026 14:14:30    2653061

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I can see the new hooter game end rule creating its own problems - e.g. teams can still burn the clock before the buzzer - so a 'pre-half time, multi minute score from David Clifford' is still possible (or probable).

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3360 - 25/01/2026 14:23:20    2653063

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