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National Forum

Looking Towards Football 2027

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post

The club championships will take centre stage for the next few months. A great time of year. For anyone looking towards what 2027 might bring...
Of the top 7 contenders outside of this year's finalists - Galway and Donegal will have the most hunger. Tyrone aren't far away and have youth to come through. Dublin are Dublin. Armagh will strike back.
Westmeath had inspirational provincial success for Division 3 counties. Wicklow had inspirational Tailteann success for Division 4 counties. Many counties have achievable goals.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 10080 - 27/07/2026 16:23:45    2687573

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Replying To legendzxix:  "The club championships will take centre stage for the next few months. A great time of year. For anyone looking towards what 2027 might bring...
Of the top 7 contenders outside of this year's finalists - Galway and Donegal will have the most hunger. Tyrone aren't far away and have youth to come through. Dublin are Dublin. Armagh will strike back.
Westmeath had inspirational provincial success for Division 3 counties. Wicklow had inspirational Tailteann success for Division 4 counties. Many counties have achievable goals."
Yup,there'll be one or two teams who disappoint next year but it should by all rights be a very competitive championship which is great.

Also yes,the club stuff is fantastic and am looking forward to it over the next few months.

Seniorleague (Galway) - Posts: 347 - 27/07/2026 16:52:24    2687591

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Kieran McGeeney's Armagh reign to extend into a 13th year. Armagh finally won Ulster this year. We were fortunate not do draw them in Armagh in Round 3. They'll be back next year.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 10080 - 28/07/2026 21:57:24    2687915

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Jimmy McGuinness has been reappointed in Donegal. Joyce gone from Galway. The few pieces of intercounty news stories as we all continue to enjoy the club championships.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 10080 - 08/09/2026 13:49:34    2693151

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Replying To Seniorleague:  "Yup,there'll be one or two teams who disappoint next year but it should by all rights be a very competitive championship which is great.

Also yes,the club stuff is fantastic and am looking forward to it over the next few months."
The current All Ireland Champions won't be fit to kick a ball till 2028 with all the occasions etc etc

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 948 - 08/09/2026 14:38:43    2693163

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Replying To Seanfan:  "The current All Ireland Champions won't be fit to kick a ball till 2028 with all the occasions etc etc"
A one hit wonder as they say...

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2484 - 10/09/2026 15:34:08    2693424

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Replying To Square_B:  "A one hit wonder as they say..."
You're hoping….most counties would love a one hit wonder as you say…Mayo have been regular contenders in my lifetime and will continue to be. We will win another at some stage (maybe not next year) but we really are living through great times. You should call to Mayo for a weekend and see Sam.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 12282 - 13/09/2026 10:31:55    2693663

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Replying To Square_B:  "A one hit wonder as they say..."
Mayo have been knocking on Sam's door for over 20 years and with a bit of luck could have broken that duck 20 years ago. Its not easy for any team to do back to backs. How are Leitrim doing?

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2956 - 15/09/2026 15:45:20    2693921

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Replying To Saynothing:  "Mayo have been knocking on Sam's door for over 20 years and with a bit of luck could have broken that duck 20 years ago. Its not easy for any team to do back to backs. How are Leitrim doing?"
Agreed. Mayo have been one of the beacons of decent and watchable football for at least 20yrs. Should have won 3 or 4 in that time, at least and will win again. When you come from a county like ours, you appreciate good football, wherever it is played and whoever plays it.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 2355 - 15/09/2026 20:55:17    2693946

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Replying To yew_tree:  "You're hoping….most counties would love a one hit wonder as you say…Mayo have been regular contenders in my lifetime and will continue to be. We will win another at some stage (maybe not next year) but we really are living through great times. You should call to Mayo for a weekend and see Sam."
Probably would have to pay to see Sam, imagine that.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 2484 - 18/09/2026 12:43:49    2694194

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Replying To Saynothing:  "Mayo have been knocking on Sam's door for over 20 years and with a bit of luck could have broken that duck 20 years ago. Its not easy for any team to do back to backs. How are Leitrim doing?"
Agree unlucky 2012 and 17 but they were hammered or beaten comfortanly in 04 and 06

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 1372 - 19/09/2026 14:10:25    2694305

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Replying To Gaaforlife2023:  "Agree unlucky 2012 and 17 but they were hammered or beaten comfortanly in 04 and 06"
Don't forget Mayo had Tyrone on the ropes in 2008, they hit wide after wide and were a couple up when they missed an open goal chance which I think would have been game over. Tyrone survived and went on to win their 3rd All Ireland.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2956 - 22/09/2026 11:42:45    2694605

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Replying To Saynothing:  "Don't forget Mayo had Tyrone on the ropes in 2008, they hit wide after wide and were a couple up when they missed an open goal chance which I think would have been game over. Tyrone survived and went on to win their 3rd All Ireland."
They were a dangerous team that time, but Kerry would have had their number in the final, in my opinion. They had much the better of Mayo and Cork in the games that mattered in that era. Tyrone were their kryptonite.
It was in the 2010s, that Mayo became a real consistent threat to Dublin and Kerry and genuinely could have won a few All-Irelands. A top quality team for a good few years.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 3079 - 22/09/2026 13:10:12    2694631

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Replying To Gaaforlife2023:  "Agree unlucky 2012 and 17 but they were hammered or beaten comfortanly in 04 and 06"
Unlucky in 2012? The game was practically gone from them after ten mins. They might have kept plugging away but they were kept at arms length and were never winning that game.

WeGoAgain (Donegal) - Posts: 226 - 22/09/2026 13:59:47    2694648

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Replying To WeGoAgain:  "Unlucky in 2012? The game was practically gone from them after ten mins. They might have kept plugging away but they were kept at arms length and were never winning that game."
2012 was over after the two early goals. 2016 first day was among the worst. Dublin played badly and we scored two own goals. Anyway a much of that hurt was wiped away this year.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 12282 - 22/09/2026 14:57:35    2694652

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It will be very interesting to see how the usual contenders utilise the league and provincial championships as prep for the All Ireland.
Last season Donegal focused on the league, Armagh on the Ulster Championship, Galway & Roscommon on Connacht, Kerry on everything and they all collapsed at some point in the championship.

Mayo, Dublin, Louth and Monaghan focused on the All Ireland series and progressed very well there.

If I was Meath/Cork/Roscommon/Galway I would be out win the league as it should be there for the taking.

If I'm Monaghan, Derry, Down, Meath, Cork, Tyrone a much needed provincial title should be a priority.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 2055 - 22/09/2026 18:15:50    2694691

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Replying To WeGoAgain:  "Unlucky in 2012? The game was practically gone from them after ten mins. They might have kept plugging away but they were kept at arms length and were never winning that game."
Sorry i meant 2013 vs dubs not donegal

Gaaforlife2023 (Longford) - Posts: 1372 - 22/09/2026 20:51:40    2694705

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Replying To Seanfan:  "The current All Ireland Champions won't be fit to kick a ball till 2028 with all the occasions etc etc"
Last they won one they went back to back

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20747 - 23/09/2026 06:55:19    2694726

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Question is...........can 2027 or any other year to come ever live up to 2026?

Shearer (Louth) - Posts: 957 - 24/09/2026 14:08:02    2694905

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "It will be very interesting to see how the usual contenders utilise the league and provincial championships as prep for the All Ireland.
Last season Donegal focused on the league, Armagh on the Ulster Championship, Galway & Roscommon on Connacht, Kerry on everything and they all collapsed at some point in the championship.

Mayo, Dublin, Louth and Monaghan focused on the All Ireland series and progressed very well there.

If I was Meath/Cork/Roscommon/Galway I would be out win the league as it should be there for the taking.

If I'm Monaghan, Derry, Down, Meath, Cork, Tyrone a much needed provincial title should be a priority."
I don't believe your theory on teams focusing on certain competitions.

Donegal the same as all 8 Division 1 teams had a focus on retaining their status Monaghan and Dublin the two that fell through the trap door

In Connacht Roscommon Galway and Mayo all had the focus in winning the Nestor Cup. The semi-final exit allowed Mayo to reset and drop players.

A number of teams including had a focus on winning Ulster.

Louth most certainly had a focus to remain their Leinster title but like Mayo had to reset that focus.

Dublin focus was on find some form. They were truly awful in Division 1in Leinster and v Louth in the All-Ireland series then suddenly clicked into life v Donegal still daftness they got 5 all star nominations.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 4085 - 24/09/2026 18:48:31    2694932

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