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GAATV - 4 Like(s)

Replying To ulsterrules:  "Since the GAA created the split season it is impossible to show all the games, what used to be an intercounty season that went from Nov through to Sept is now Jan to July. I do not like Gaa +, but we have 3 platforms RTE/TG4/Virgin(TV3).
TG4/Virgin I have no doubt would pay money to each show a game on Sat and Sun . On a sat and sun you could have a game at 2/4/6pm that's 6 games on TV over the weekend. But the GAA, choses greed over the fans(putting Donegal and Kerry behind a paywall)proves that rather than having it free to air . They will tell you it all goes back into the game, but not until alot of vested interests have taken their cut.

The push to free up GAA staduims to host none GAA events in Aug/Sept is here. the next message you will hear is the stadium is empty so we should put on a soccer match etc.

The Grab All Association is really living up to is secondary name."
Rubbish. Virgin Media were approached when the packages of matches were last announced. They said they were not interested in showing the games. I paid €79 for GAA+. I get access to all 40 games shown live. I can rewatch them as many times as I like. There's a weekly highlights programme and I can watch GAA+ on a number of different devices. I was at my club's league game last Saturday evening and I could watch Tipp v Clare on my phone. That is great value for money. There are over 200 GAA games broadcast free to ait every year. There were 5 broadcast last Wednesday evening. No other sporting organisation in this country broadcasts that amount of content free to air. Your post is ill informed nonsense.

Greengrass (National) - 19/05/2026 13:00:15

Provincial Final Replays - Good Idea Or Bad Idea? - 4 Like(s)

Replying To richiepmurphy:  "It's total madness. Gaa probably think they're doing the right thing but in years to come this short sighted thinking will be seen for what it is.
Even the Munster u20 final last week going to penalties. Imagine the interest a replay would have bought after the excitement and quality of that game. You couldn't but that publicity and feel good factor"
Yea, and maybe the World Cup Final, the Champions League Final, Super Bowl and all other Finals should go to replays. What we need is a calender with 100 weeks in it.

ORIELMAN85 (National) - 19/05/2026 00:57:27

Dublin GAA thread - 3 Like(s)

Replying To tirawleybaron:  "Time to move Dublin League matches back to Parnell. Then the "supporters" will turn up in Croke park again."
Mayo are not exactly box office either.

BarneyGrant (National) - 19/05/2026 15:11:53

GAATV - 3 Like(s)

Replying To SouthGalway:  "I disagree. TG4 should be given games for free or at a much lower cost than others. Either you want to keep the Irish Language alive or you don't. TG4 can't outbid RTE, Sky, BBC, etc due to appealing to a very narrow demographic. We are losing enough of what makes Ireland IRELAND so no need to sell off more."
Great in theory, but the reality is that broadcasting rights to sporting events are an economic commodity and market forces apply.

Suppose you have a business selling something called gamoodles. You sell a package of 40 gamoodles to Customer 1 for €1,000. You sell another package of 40 gamoodles to Customer 2 for just €400 because Customer 2 is smaller, doesn't have as much money, and you like them and want to do them a favour.

Customer 1 learns about the lower price for Customer 2. Customer 1 won't be long about insisting that they get the lower price too.

Pikeman96 (National) - 19/05/2026 11:55:25

Galway Football thread - 2 Like(s)

Replying To Galwayman67420:  "There's a difference between sice and mchugh. Sice was another cog in the wheel in Corofin, mchugh's individual brilliance has led the scoring for years for Mountbellew. If you were to ask me who I would rather in a team it is Barry mchugh due to his sheer class and longevity he's maintained these top tier standards for years. Not quite sure if he's ever played in goal, maybe in school games but it's well worth a look if we want to see Sam crossing the Shannon in the near future"
Can we move on McHugh is not the answer was not the answer never mind to our goalie problem

Eire89 (National) - 19/05/2026 20:51:07

Football Format Changes Discussion - 1 Like(s)

Replying To Whammo86:  "The Provincials can stay, they can stay part of the All Ireland.

You can still have a really good championship.

Provincials run in to a 16 team tier 1 championship split in 2 groups of 8.

Provincial champions guaranteed a spot, Provincial runners up play off with the lowest ranked teams from the Previous season to get down to 16."
And Kerry keep the huge advantage they have always had?? Giving the provincial champions a seeding or bye based on winning completely different championships, different number of teams and difficulty, makes no sense and is unfair.

JimB1991 (National) - 19/05/2026 13:02:12

Provincial Final Replays - Good Idea Or Bad Idea? - 1 Like(s)

Replying To GreenandRed:  "What about the publicity and feelgood factor after a game going to extra time and penalties? Galway beating Armagh after penalties into the Canal End was an epic."
Was at it but would never class a shoot out win as epic in Gaelic football. Would much prefer if that game was won in extra time.

Drax_the_destroyer (National) - 19/05/2026 19:11:42

Wicklow GAA thread - 1 Like(s)

Replying To stringfellohawk:  "Would it not have been better to put the Limerick match on Sunday, many people will be watching the Rugby European Cup final!"
I for one am not too worried about that!

Bowl (National) - 19/05/2026 18:34:19

Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)

Replying To Cabbagepatch1667:  "Yeah agreed, it's ridiculous.

Cork beat Waterford and Tipperary to reach a Munster final, their reward is a home game vs Meath which might just be the factor that tips them over the line. The power of home advantage can't be understated. Similarly Galway beat Leitrim to guarantee home advantage

I'm okay with the provincial winners being seeded home advantage, to win a provincial you probably to earn it (outside of Munster), so home advantage is a justified reward. Westmeath beat Meath, Kildare and Dublin, absolutely deserved."
Before you rope Galway/Connacht in - Sligo were on the Galway side of the draw, they are a Div 3 team (same as Westmeath). Its not Galways fault Sligo got beat by Leitrim.

Cork also beat Limerick who were relegated to Div 4.

The actual difference is 2 of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon will draw each other in the qfinal next year (because Leitrim are in London and Sligo are in NY) and possibly draw the other in the semi to reach a Provincial final.

Cork will avoid Kerry in a semi or qfinal forever.

The Connacht draw next year is a 25% chance of a Sligo v Leitrim semi final and the winner being seeded in the all ireland series, despite neither of them having any chance of winning the tailteann cup anytime soon.

If Munster go back to an open draw - you could get a situation where Cork play Kerry in a qfinal and waterford, Limerick and Tipp all are on the other side of the draw.

If Munster and Connacht play out that way - you could have 2 div 4 teams seeded in the All ireland series and 2 Div 2 teams excluded from the Sam Maguire - whatever way you dress it up - its wrong

tirawleybaron (National) - 19/05/2026 14:24:10

GAATV - 1 Like(s)

Replying To Pikeman96:  "I agree fully with the sentiment of your post, but just to point out that what Virgin Media actually said the last time was that they'd consider showing games only if they'd be supplied with a "ready to air" feed - i.e. somebody else would send out cameras and crew, and all they (Virgin Media) would have to do would be to push a button put that feed onto TV screens.

The only real way of achieving that would have been to use the same cameras and crew as were available to what was still GAA GO at the time, and as RTE was still a partner in GAA GO, that was never going to be a runner.

And before anybody asks - no, I don't know why Virgin Media seem to have no problem in sending cameras and crew to League of Ireland soccer matches, but were unwilling to do the same for GAA."
Thanks very much Pikeman. I appreciate the post.

Greengrass (National) - 19/05/2026 13:54:23

Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Once again well done to all squad and management on a brilliant Leinster Championship win.Amazing scenes and support in Croke park on sunday and later that evening in Mullingar.Now I would like to note and say get well soon to the lads who were there with the squad on sunday but unfortunately thru injury could not take part.Boidu Sayeh who came back into the fold and played like he was never away.Rock solid and even scored a memorable point against Limerick back in March.Jonathan Lynam also back in midfield and was surely going to play a huge part for Westmeath for the season.Jonathan scored 2 cracking goals against Sligo back in January and surely more was to come.Conor McCormack out thru and injured disc problem worked his way back to fitness only to last 8 minutes in 1/4 final against Meath.Conor got his leg broken in making that great save from McBride and save a certain goal-whos to know what the result would have been uf Meath had scored at that time..Brian Guerin who had performed very well in league last year and early part of this season and was looking to nail down a midfield spot.And finally the maestro-Luke Loughlin who along with David Clifford was probably the best forward in the country leading up the the Kildare game.Luke's ability and work rate is huge and to lose him at such a vital time could have spelt disaster for Westmeath.His ability to take on players and score 2 pointers and goals is second to none and would definately have been in All-Star conversations come seasons end.But fair play to the younger lads who came in and kept in and stood up when needed.Now on to all Ireland series with great hope for a successful campaign.

Bruno@1 (National) - 19/05/2026 13:22:07

Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)

Replying To ORIELMAN85:  "For the same reason that Donegal had no plan B in last year's All Ireland Final. The manager is incabable of coming up with a plan B on short notice ala 2013 Ulster Final and 2014 All Ireland Final."
We actually did sort out kickouts for the second half as it happens. Kerry were just too far ahead at that stage to claw them back.

He also managed a plan b against Monaghan last year in the QF. Do you remember that game? The one where yous were up 7 at halftime?

peiledoir20 (National) - 19/05/2026 13:21:48

Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)

Replying To Scenicparish:  "Because Kerry and Cork have a huge advantage in that they are seeded every year to get to a Munster final and therefore guaranteed a home tie in the first match of the AI Series."
Yeah agreed, it's ridiculous.

Cork beat Waterford and Tipperary to reach a Munster final, their reward is a home game vs Meath which might just be the factor that tips them over the line. The power of home advantage can't be understated. Similarly Galway beat Leitrim to guarantee home advantage

I'm okay with the provincial winners being seeded home advantage, to win a provincial you probably to earn it (outside of Munster), so home advantage is a justified reward. Westmeath beat Meath, Kildare and Dublin, absolutely deserved.

Cabbagepatch1667 (National) - 19/05/2026 13:18:26

Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)

Replying To peiledoir20:  "You might be better asking yourself why a team of Dublins standing had no Plan B on their kick outs in the final. Got wiped out around the middle and yet kept kicking it out there.

And all this under the watchful eye of one of the best keepers of all team who is part of the backroom team.

Genuinely, can you explain that one?"
For the same reason that Donegal had no plan B in last year's All Ireland Final. The manager is incabable of coming up with a plan B on short notice ala 2013 Ulster Final and 2014 All Ireland Final.

ORIELMAN85 (National) - 19/05/2026 13:01:53

Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)

Replying To yew_tree:  "The provincial seeding should be outlawed. It's ridiculous in my opinion."
Totally unfair on all other Counties in Munster outside of Kerry and Cork.

Scenicparish (National) - 19/05/2026 12:52:39

Monaghan GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Its progress from the lows of January and February to be devastated to not have won an Ulster Final on Sunday.

It will be a struggle to get the minds and bodies right for Mayo in a fortnight and I really hope people will support the team in the numbers that was present on Sunday. Here is hoping this can still be a year to remember.

ConyersHill04 (National) - 19/05/2026 12:24:08

Tailteann Cup 2026 - 1 Like(s)

Replying To mickosarmy:  "Predictions for round 2 this weekend??

Round 2A - May 23/24
Antrim v Tipperary - Antrim
Fermanagh v Wexford - Wexford
Offaly v Down - Down
London v Laois - Laois


Round 2B - May 23/24
Wicklow v Limerick - Wicklow
Clare v Longford - Clare
Waterford v Sligo - Sligo
Leitrim v Carlow - Leitrim"
The big issue with this system is the home and away element and the luck of the draw. I dont know how many teams that lost the first round were away from home? However I know that my county, for example, were away and are away again. We got to the final last year but this year a new system has meant we are away in our first and possibly only 2 games given how hard it can be to win on the road.
The old system is a fairer one. You are guarenteed one home and one away game. The luck of the draw should never replace an existing more equitable format. Any changes should enhance/promote the game/competition not the opposite.

Tadhg2020 (National) - 19/05/2026 11:22:32

Donegal GAA thread - 1 Like(s)

Replying To HandballRef:  "I think it was after McEniff left in 1994 Martin McHugh went for the job. He had a backroom team in place and thought the job was his until they gave it to PJ McGowan. McGowan had won the u-21 in 1987 but McEniff got the senior job ahead of him after Tom Conaghan left.

Mark was pure class in 2011 and 2012. The hit he took from Golloghy that day in 2013 definitely had big effect on him as an inter county player. He never got to those 2011 or 2012 levels again."
Mark McHugh was deliberately targeted in that 2013 Ulster final, just like Karl Lacey was deliberately targeted by Tyrone players when he came on in the opening Ulster game in Ballybofey, seeing a few different Tyrone players target a specific hip of Lacey was no coincidence.

A lot of teams had spent the winter months studying our 2012 system and most had identified that the most effective way to combat it was to mirror it. However Mark McHugh was a bit of a wild card in what was otherwise a very rigid system, he basically had a free role and was a smart footballer and could pop up in attacks and still sweep at the back. He was badly hurt in that tackle.

Commodore (National) - 19/05/2026 09:14:54

Hurling Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)
Ah isn't it terrible. 19th of May and already the teams that don't play well enough are gone from the All Ireland! There's something grossly unfair about it all. I mean how can we grow the game of hurling in these counties when they won't puck another ball as a group until December (tongue in cheek as I don't know any top tier county that don't break the training ban)? In these counties where the vast majority of their games are televised in one way or another. I mean how can we help them?
I feel bad for Waterford, they're not a bad team. Stephen Bennett & Billy Nolan in particular were exeptional. And they can be very entertaining to watch. But I feel far worse for Kildare... Pushing a boulder up a hill to get themselves to the top table, And performing well when they were there. Only to be faced with Joe McDonagh again next year. Player retention at that mid level is such a struggle and keeping guys around next year is the next challenge facing Brian Dowling. Waterford, however, don't have that problem. They're disappointed yes. But can recovery and rest assured of their place in the Liam McCarthy again in 2027. They didn't get it all their own way in Div 2B last year. So is the gap between Waterford and Joe Mc that big? It's getting smaller all the time in my opinion.

There needs to be some sort of punishment for finishing last in your province. Kerry aren't up to winning the Joe Mc just yet. So maybe give Kildare their extra year up. Promote the Joe Mc winners. And let Galway over to Munster, it's closer to home anyway! And if Waterford win the Joe Mc they can earn the right to play Liam McCarthy rather than their god given right at the moment!

sportingplay (National) - 19/05/2026 09:06:05

Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)

Replying To legendzxix:  "An impressive win by Westmeath yesterday. Fully deserved. Thought Monaghan might have caused another upset but not to be.
Standalone provincial finals have stood on their own feet. Why can't the provincial championships as a whole stand on their own feet.."
Are you a Bot?
You seem to just give it a few days and start all over again. Its getting tiresome now.

Tadhg2020 (National) - 19/05/2026 08:50:57