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Wexford Hurling Thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Waltermitty2: "Hard to see anything other than a huge dublin win on Saturday." I say you are fun on nights out Waltermitty
hunting (National) - 07/05/2026 16:51:15
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Monaghan GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To 222: "Totally disagree. Armagh have won the biggest prize of all and im sure they have enough to deal with the expectation of an Ulster final. The most important medal to count is the celtic cross. You could look at this game and even say it doesn't matter in the slightest as the most important competition begins next weekend as well. Armagh will of course want to win but it's not a season decider. Agree with others we will need to curtail there running game and be aggressive." K McG has made no secret about how much he wants to win Ulster with Armagh, it's the one title he hasn't won under his tenure.
Blackcardnot (National) - 07/05/2026 14:41:43
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Do Kerry Get Frees A Bit Too Easy? - 1 Like(s)
Referees to tackle the "screening" by kerry players. Will referees be strong enough to issue black card and feel the full force of kerry mejia for implenting rules correctly?
hlynch12 (National) - 07/05/2026 21:36:55
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Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
This makes sense
Iarmhisamhi (National) - 07/05/2026 19:02:00
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Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Expertinall: "Aren't yous seeded to stay apart until munster final? That and the quality of opposition in munster, is the main reason we can't have an advantage to provincial winners. You already have a leg up, while others are still in the stable!" Yous? I presume you mean you (plural) and yes Cork and Kerry were kept seperate this year which is wrong IMO and money driven.
A Cork/Kerry clash in an earlier round can only charge 20 euro but can charge 35 euro or more for a final and bring a bigger crowd than any other Munster pairing.
As for getting a leg up,this year the only bonus is a home first round game but I think you ll agtee that its the toughest draw of all.The top two ranked teams facing each other in the first rou d.
Now Im not saying Munster is tough but you r own Dublin have had it just as easy in Leinster and have won every title bar one since 2011.
Ilster is the top province followed by Connaught but Leinster has been a cakewalk for years and Im fairly certain Dublin will win again this year wheras Cork have had some great battles with Kerry.
CiarraiMick (National) - 07/05/2026 17:40:28
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Football Format Changes Discussion - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Seanfan: "I think we may take it that the Provincials will be staying.
Do I detect opposition to the new AI format already or is it just us few posters on here?" Its the GAA aversion to having a dead rubber game driving the process. Pretty much any league will have some meaningless games - it should be an accepted fact of running a fair competition,
I preferred the groups - you get a home game, an away game and an neutral game. The main problem with the new format is that some counties won't get a home game at all now.
brianb (National) - 07/05/2026 17:21:09
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Football Format Changes Discussion - 1 Like(s)
Firstly i would far rather this current structure to the previous group stage structure(24 matches to eliminate 4 teams, which potentially meant team could lose 3 games and still win Sam, hardly a true champion)
This format means less option of teams maybe deciding to ease up and adds more cut and thrust to the games,.
The lack of communication and knowledge of the new structure is another prime example of lack of promotion, so much confusion and awareness even though voted this in last year(i accept some people live in bubble and will never read the information). Sunday Game flash up a slide of teams in draw, zero explanation of the format, home away?who goes through, how many rounds etc, surely this could be explained in 5 minute TV slot so public know!!
Do understand the point that very little advantage from winning provincial titles going into AI series, as all finalists get home advantage in round 1, perhaps provincial winners should be guaranteed home advantage until quarter finals as some kind of reward. I dont think this be issue for players in terms of motivation for provincial.
It is more the media attention and supporters that be distracted by looking to games after the finals, especially given the draw plus the GAA+ debacle.
Totally understand that teams need 2 weeks to plan trips with travel plus allow supporters prepare and €€€, but to avoid detracting from finals could they have waited until 17th May after Ulster final to do the draw, with all 8 games on May 30th and 31st? Accept be feast of football one weekend and some games get less coverage but least doesnt take from provincials and means all have same time in between games.
Again reiterate this format i think is better but as always some random changes with GAA competition rules, as in round 1 open draw all rematches allowed, yet as get later into the series rematches avoided where possible? Id have thought this be implemented from round 1 as more likely to have rematches then, ie Louth v Dublin(reminds me of old qualifier system whereby randomly some rounds rematches allowed others not)
Then i notice in round 2 that first team drawn has home advantage(normal procedure across most sports) but then in round 3 there will be a separate draw to determine home team???? anyone explain this?
macca999 (National) - 07/05/2026 17:05:57
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Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)
People arguing over formats is pointless, you're never going to find a system that is purely balanced and fair. The provincial championships themselves aren't balanced, and as soon as they have any weight on seeding, fairness is out the window.
For example Cork got to a Munster final by beating Limerick and Tipperary, Galway got there beating Leitrim. There's obviously a lack of balance.
So the GAA are stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to find a format that suits everyone. I think we just let this one play out before making a final judgement.
Cabbagepatch1667 (National) - 07/05/2026 16:20:21
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Wexford Hurling Thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Fionn: "Spot on - there is nothing or very little between our teams tbh.
It will be some battle on Sat.
A very short championship season for one of us. ;o(" It feels like die or die for both teams on Saturday. Our backs our to the wall and we have to deliver. To be fair Dublin are probably a bit further down the line in terms of development but I still think there will be nothing between us in Wexford Park
Afinestick96 (National) - 07/05/2026 15:22:57
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Westmeath Hurling thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Temple56: "70% of footballers playing hurling? That seems way off where did that figure come from? I'd say it's closer to 30-35%.
Looking at the south Moate, Caulry, Maryland, Castledaly, Tang, Garrycastle, Athlone, and Tubberclair you're talking about roughly 300 adult footballers across these clubs with two or three teams each. I'd guess fewer than 5% of those 300 are also playing hurling.
I know it's different in the north, but even in Mullingar, if you look at Loman's and Shamrocks, maybe about a quarter of adult players are involved in hurling.
There are definitely areas with high crossover-80-90% in some cases-but in the two biggest towns, where the playing numbers are highest, it's overwhelmingly football. Take Kinnegad as another example how many there are actively hurling?
I get your point about the lack of top officers from hurling clubs on the board, but I don't think it's down to bias. It's more that we like to think of ourselves as a dual county, when in reality we're probably closer to 75% football. That said, we still manage to produce some excellent hurlers from a relatively small base, and over the past 15 years especially, they've often punched well above their weight at inter-county level." So by your own logic if the 70% football clubs in Westmeath suddenly decided to become true Irish patriots and facilitate our national sport. Westmeath could in all likelihood be competing for all Ireland's. You need to start changing your allegiance 125 years and 1 Leinster title or maybe 2 let's watch this space
Sloweddie (National) - 07/05/2026 09:06:10
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Westmeath Hurling thread - 1 Like(s)
Maintaining the existence of the 15 hurling clubs is a bigger issue, six of our clubs can't field on their own at underage level. Unfortunately the majority of our hurling clubs are in rural areas where population decrease is certain, Athlone is a difficult area for the GAA in Gaelic alone with tradition of rugby and soccer, that's reality
Claretandblue (National) - 07/05/2026 12:10:16
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Football Format Changes Discussion - 1 Like(s)
I just want to state that I am very happy with the structure of the National League, Provincial Championships and the current All Ireland competition. Not sure what all the fuss is about.
Kerry kicking up (Jack O' Connor / Darragh O' Se) because they have two hard games in a row is a laugh. They got the All Ireland under 20 semi final with Roscommon changed from this Saturday (where people could attend) to next Wednesday night in Munster (again!), because one player MIGHT play in the Munster final. In fairness to Mayo they did not do likewise for the under 20 Connacht final where they had a couple of top players involved.
"Different strokes for different folks "
letsgetgoing (National) - 07/05/2026 12:00:56
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Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
I was told by a player in the squad he is not back and was only there to help will not play any part.
Westmeath25 (National) - 07/05/2026 11:09:09
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Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)
Replying To bloodandbandage: "Kerry v Cork this weekend in the Munster final and not a peep! For the first time in a long time, I'm looking forward to a Cork/Kerry match. I think this is a great opportunity for Cork, especially factoring in Kerry's injury list and the fact we finally got promoted this year. Confidence is high and I'm going to stick my neck out and predict a Cork win.
Interested to hear what others think." I happen to agree with you BandB and its no Yerra! Cork are very strong in the areas we struggling at mo.
Many dont show interest because they dont tate Munster but they cant see Cork and Kerry have been nip and tuck the last few years.People also seem to forget Cork have beaten both Mayo and Donegal in the championship the last couple of years.
I think this final is very hard to call and wont be surprised at any result.The sad thing for Cork is even if they do win you will have people saying Kerry did nt care.Kerry always care about a Munster final and especially v Cork.We hate losing to Cork.
No teams have met more often in the championship since the qualifiers came in in 2001 and Kerry and Cork have drawn 8 times since.
We might see another draw Sunday and extra time might decide it.
No disrespect to the other Munster counties but delighted to have a Munster final v Cork again.
CiarraiMick (National) - 07/05/2026 10:54:48
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Westmeath Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To mickcunningham: "can someone enlighten me , is it true that football pundit and former county footballer john heslin is back training with the senior footballers im curious to know" Its 100% true Mick. Dessie Dolan and Larry Giles back in with them too.
Leftpeg1 (National) - 07/05/2026 10:51:40
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Football Championship 2026 - 1 Like(s)
I won a game of snooker last week........ I didn't get any advantage in the All Ireland race but I really enjoyed winning it!
just saying:-)
Mayonman (National) - 07/05/2026 10:51:37
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Leitrim GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To AverageFootball: "Can you share it?" The cabal of 'shrewd Leitrim football men' our friend discusses football matters with are studying it currently.
Like a Papal conclave - no white smoke yet. Burning old tyres so far.
Boxtyeater (National) - 07/05/2026 09:54:58
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