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National Football League 2026

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Replying To legendzxix:  "If Roscommon beat Dublin this weekend, they'll secure Division 1. They'll be in a great position to go for the final as well. Donegal might be tempted to rotate their squad after Galway at home this weekend. Donegal travel to Roscommon in Round 6. The ground that had Jimmy McGuinness irate last year when he completely overlooked the unfairness of Kerry travelling to Tullamore."
Why would McGuinness be worried about where Kerry play.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1229 - 25/02/2026 16:14:47    2658604

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "Looking like a Roscommon v Donegal Div 1 final
Cork v Derry in Div 2
Down v Westmeath in Div 3
Carlow v Wicklow in Div 4

Relegation for Dublin & Monaghan, Cavan & Offaly, Laois & Fermanagh"
How would it look like roscommon Donegal final. More like Kerry Donegal final. Kerry will win all remaining games and Donegal will more than likely do the same. Id fancy mayo to beat Armagh and ye will will have a right crack at Kerry then to make the final yourselves. Everything to play for ye for everyone in all divisions

dave1988 (Roscommon) - Posts: 1369 - 25/02/2026 16:19:31    2658606

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Replying To legendzxix:  "If Roscommon beat Dublin this weekend, they'll secure Division 1. They'll be in a great position to go for the final as well. Donegal might be tempted to rotate their squad after Galway at home this weekend. Donegal travel to Roscommon in Round 6. The ground that had Jimmy McGuinness irate last year when he completely overlooked the unfairness of Kerry travelling to Tullamore."
Your obsession with Jim is getting boring at this stage. Why would Jim care where Kerry play their matches???

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 859 - 25/02/2026 18:22:49    2658636

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "Looking like a Roscommon v Donegal Div 1 final
Cork v Derry in Div 2
Down v Westmeath in Div 3
Carlow v Wicklow in Div 4

Relegation for Dublin & Monaghan, Cavan & Offaly, Laois & Fermanagh"
For me have looked over the remaining fixtures.

Donegal v Kerry Div 1 final.
Derry v Meath Div 2 final
Down v Westmeath Div 3 final
Carlow v Wicklow Div 4 final

Relegation the same counties as you have named.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3854 - 25/02/2026 21:51:40    2658656

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Replying To Scenicparish:  "Your obsession with Jim is getting boring at this stage. Why would Jim care where Kerry play their matches???"
Jimmy was getting on his high horse as always complaining that Donegal were the most mistreated in travelling to Roscommon to take on Mayo. Completely overlooking Kerry travelling to Tullamore on the day before.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9493 - 25/02/2026 22:21:50    2658659

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Replying To brayballer:  "How did yous get on v "Cork two years ago in the championship?Oh yea yous lost lol."
How did Wicklow get on in Sam Maguire last year? Oh yeah, they weren't in it.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1458 - 26/02/2026 09:20:23    2658679

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "How did Wicklow get on in Sam Maguire last year? Oh yeah, they weren't in it."
No county is excluded from the Sam Maguire. It is just that Wicklow were not in the last 16 as they exited Sam Maguire when losing to Dublin in the Leinster Championship and as such were consigned to a losers or secondary cup competition[Tailteann Cup] of which the prize for the winner is a guaranteed place in the last 16 of the following years Sam Maguire but still with all other participants having a place as well[some teams will have 2 paths to this destination-[League + Provincials]

edu (Mayo) - Posts: 121 - 26/02/2026 11:51:42    2658708

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Jimmy was getting on his high horse as always complaining that Donegal were the most mistreated in travelling to Roscommon to take on Mayo. Completely overlooking Kerry travelling to Tullamore on the day before."
Why is this becoming an issue at this stage , is there a hidden agenda that I am missing ? The Hyde and certainly Tullamore weren't neutral half way venues . I do recall JMcG raising this afterwards (not necessarily on his 'high horse') he choose to naturally highlight his own Donegal and not Kerry's longer journey … there are so many from the Kingdom within GAA media to bat on their behalf … recall the noise after the semi final v Tyrone got delayed due to Covid.
Kerry had a wonderful 2025 winning their 39th title following superb performances in QF, SF and final. Think it's time we all got off our high/low horses, be good winners/ losers/ also rans…move on and look forward with hope to the sporting year ahead.

Curlew66 (Roscommon) - Posts: 650 - 26/02/2026 12:13:15    2658713

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Jimmy was getting on his high horse as always complaining that Donegal were the most mistreated in travelling to Roscommon to take on Mayo. Completely overlooking Kerry travelling to Tullamore on the day before."
Ah your heart would bleed for Kerry to be fair having to travel to Tullamore with all 12 of their away support particularly after a gruelling Munster final against Clare at home in Killarney only a few weeks before.

WeGoAgain (Donegal) - Posts: 149 - 26/02/2026 12:20:54    2658718

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Div 1:
Donegal can't be relegated. Do they pull up the handbrake or go for the final? Time will tell. Roscommon can confirm their Division 1 status with a win.

Div 2:
D2 getting much deserved TV coverage this weekend. The promotion and relegation picture could be a bit clearer after this weekend.

Div 3:
Down strongly expected to maintain their promotion push and All Ireland qualification. Clare have found a bit of form. They and Limerick are unlikely to be promoted however. They are a long way off securing a top 2 seeding in Munster. They need to plan for landing shocks in Munster or else plan for the Tailteann.

Div 4:
Tricky tie for Carlow against a Longford side also pushing for promotion. Wicklow looking to maintain their promotion push away to Antrim.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9493 - 26/02/2026 23:48:10    2658828

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Replying To edu:  "No county is excluded from the Sam Maguire. It is just that Wicklow were not in the last 16 as they exited Sam Maguire when losing to Dublin in the Leinster Championship and as such were consigned to a losers or secondary cup competition[Tailteann Cup
of which the prize for the winner is a guaranteed place in the last 16 of the following years Sam Maguire but still with all other participants having a place as well[some teams will have 2 paths to this destination-[League + Provincials]"]They have a 1/16th chance of winning Tailteann, realistically less chance than that considering the strengths of some teams in it. The Tailteann winners have all been teams that fluctuated for previous years between Divisions 2 and 3. Obviously that level is higher than Division 4 or Lower Division 3. Previous to Tailteann system Wicklow could lose in Leinster and still be in the back door. Did well when Micko was in charge. The current sytem is designed to keep the stronger counties stronger and the so-called weaker counties weaker. It's there for TV, advertising, sponsors revenue. The new rules have improved football but it doesn't improve the standard in every county. It's good for stronger counties but shouldn't be called an All Ireland when some counties are hindered in participating in it.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8459 - 27/02/2026 12:05:56    2658869

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "
Replying To edu:  "No county is excluded from the Sam Maguire. It is just that Wicklow were not in the last 16 as they exited Sam Maguire when losing to Dublin in the Leinster Championship and as such were consigned to a losers or secondary cup competition[Tailteann Cup</div> of which the prize for the winner is a guaranteed place in the last 16 of the following years Sam Maguire but still with all other participants having a place as well[some teams will have 2 paths to this destination-[League + Provincials
"]They have a 1/16th chance of winning Tailteann, realistically less chance than that considering the strengths of some teams in it. The Tailteann winners have all been teams that fluctuated for previous years between Divisions 2 and 3. Obviously that level is higher than Division 4 or Lower Division 3. Previous to Tailteann system Wicklow could lose in Leinster and still be in the back door. Did well when Micko was in charge. The current sytem is designed to keep the stronger counties stronger and the so-called weaker counties weaker. It's there for TV, advertising, sponsors revenue. The new rules have improved football but it doesn't improve the standard in every county. It's good for stronger counties but shouldn't be called an All Ireland when some counties are hindered in participating in it."]Stop playing competitive games, stop keeping scores, stop giving cups to the strongest teams.....

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 386 - 27/02/2026 12:47:03    2658877

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The result of Saturday is Laois beating Westmeath. It has set the cat amongst the pigeons in the race for promotion. Clare and Laois are both in the promotion picture to challenge Westmeath.
Kildare are in danger of relegation from D2. Kildare relegation would mean only the D3 winner would be in line for All Ireland qualification. Any lower ranked county making a provincial final could knock the D3 winner into the Tailteann.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9493 - 28/02/2026 23:16:42    2659133

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Looking forward to today's round 5 matches. Division 2 looks very interesting and the outcome of Derry v Cork in Celtic Park will either leave the Rebels in pole position or a 3 way tie at the top with today's opponents and Meath..don't rule out a draw
Donegal are mathematically safe in Division1 but are picking up niggling injuries , they face a tough challenge today against a physically strong, talented and hungrier Galway. They will get a warm welcome next round at The Hyde where the home team will be gunning for another big scalp. Donegal have worked hard in earlier rounds to be in a comfort zone to rest players, rotate squad, try out newcomers etc . All this handbrake talk is a little insulting to worthy opponents. A full strength Kerry team are currently so dominant in the championship that teams like Dun na nGall may target a historic first three in row Ulster titles for them or maybe a league final … time will tell.
Home wins in Castlebar and Roscommon would put a lot of weight on the Dublin/Armagh fixture next round so both teams will be all out for points today.

Curlew66 (Roscommon) - Posts: 650 - 01/03/2026 12:22:13    2659176

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