National Forum

Small Anomaly In Sam Maguire Qualification Rules

(Oldest Posts First)

Picture the scenario: Dublin, relegated to Division 2 this year, win the All-Ireland this year. But they have a stinker of a league in 2027 and get relegated (happens to good teams more often than you'd think, e.g. Westmeath 2017 and Derry 2018 down to Division 4, Cork 2019 down to Division 3, Dublin 2021 down to Division 2) and don't make the Leinster final. Suddenly they find themselves out of the league places to qualify for the Sam Maguire Cup competition even though they're defending champions! Even the Tailteann Cup winners get in but not them. Think it needs a quick fix in Congress.

Tacaí Liatroma (Leitrim) - Posts: 1293 - 14/05/2026 14:05:06    2672967

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Replying To Tacaí Liatroma:  "Picture the scenario: Dublin, relegated to Division 2 this year, win the All-Ireland this year. But they have a stinker of a league in 2027 and get relegated (happens to good teams more often than you'd think, e.g. Westmeath 2017 and Derry 2018 down to Division 4, Cork 2019 down to Division 3, Dublin 2021 down to Division 2) and don't make the Leinster final. Suddenly they find themselves out of the league places to qualify for the Sam Maguire Cup competition even though they're defending champions! Even the Tailteann Cup winners get in but not them. Think it needs a quick fix in Congress."
I think Congress have more important issues then worrying about a scenario with 100000/1 odds of happening now in fairness.

mickosarmy (Wicklow) - Posts: 4 - 14/05/2026 15:03:32    2672973

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Replying To Tacaí Liatroma:  "Picture the scenario: Dublin, relegated to Division 2 this year, win the All-Ireland this year. But they have a stinker of a league in 2027 and get relegated (happens to good teams more often than you'd think, e.g. Westmeath 2017 and Derry 2018 down to Division 4, Cork 2019 down to Division 3, Dublin 2021 down to Division 2) and don't make the Leinster final. Suddenly they find themselves out of the league places to qualify for the Sam Maguire Cup competition even though they're defending champions! Even the Tailteann Cup winners get in but not them. Think it needs a quick fix in Congress."
You are correct.. in theory it could happen.. but id say there is a less than 0.1% chance. Has it ever happened that the all Ireland champions have been relegated to division 3 in the year immediately following them winning Sam?
Would be no harm to revisit the provisions at congress if it were to put your mind at ease.

indaknownow (Offaly) - Posts: 121 - 14/05/2026 15:09:18    2672975

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