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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: 9834 - 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: 9834 - 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: 9834 - 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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Replying To Saynothing:  "A simple poll from different counties, who likes the new system?"
Let me save you the trouble there.

Every county bar Kerry loves it.

Their procession to the latter stages are now a thing of the past.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1681 - 17/06/2026 09:42:09    2680262

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Replying To Saynothing:  "A simple poll from different counties, who likes the new system?"
I like the new system. Can't understand why a few on here are constantly looking for change. These people will never be happy regardless of format.

bloodandbandage (Cork) - Posts: 586 - 17/06/2026 10:18:39    2680266

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The bottom line is you cannot by definition have an equitable All Ireland system that offers an advantage to teams emerging from 4 unequally sized provinces of very different footballing standards.

People talk all the time about the value of a provincial title in its own right. The new system, by breaking the link with AI status, both honours and tests that claim. If a Connacht, Leinster, Ulster or Munster title is worth winning then its worth winning. It stops at that.

Some of the top contending teams now have to make decisions on their horizon for success an d may need to play provincials in 3rd gear, while others have the luxury of wining provincial titles in 3rd gear.

Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1358 - 17/06/2026 10:40:54    2680269

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Amazing that it will be 30 years this September since Mayo played Meath in those finals. Mayo have been in one third of All football finals (that's 10 not including replays) in 30 years. It's an astonishing level of consistency but a shocking return of zero wins.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 12133 - 17/06/2026 10:56:31    2680271

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Replying To legendzxix:  "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.."
How do you quantify a brave effort?????

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2676 - 17/06/2026 11:01:53    2680274

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "I like the new system. Can't understand why a few on here are constantly looking for change. These people will never be happy regardless of format."
The All Ireland 16 stage is fine. It's the lack of head to head battles for All Ireland qualification that is underwhelming. Roscommon beat Mayo. When the dust settled, Mayo had qualified for the All Ireland anyway. Same last year AET in PuC.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9834 - 17/06/2026 11:21:58    2680278

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Replying To legendzxix:  "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.."
Because, as you know, their league position don't warrent it. Improve in the league or win the Tailteann and win the right to play in the All Ireland championship proper... the incentive is there. Nothing should be made too easy otherwise what's the point?

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2085 - 17/06/2026 11:34:15    2680281

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Replying To yew_tree:  "Amazing that it will be 30 years this September since Mayo played Meath in those finals. Mayo have been in one third of All football finals (that's 10 not including replays) in 30 years. It's an astonishing level of consistency but a shocking return of zero wins."
It is. No shame in being consistently among the top contenders even where the ultimate prize is not taken. Common in lots of sports.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 4397 - 17/06/2026 12:02:47    2680289

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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."
But they are not really! You still have provincial finalists awarded home venue for first round of championship proper.I like the new system but for it to stand alone provincial finalists should nt count.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4167 - 17/06/2026 12:21:44    2680296

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