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Football Championship 2026

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Replying To foreveryoung:  "I will take Cavan a long time to recover from that defeat. It's not just losing. It's the way they lost-scoring 3-21 and losing. They'll be so despondent that even Kerry would beat them the next day out, if they draw Kerry. I'd prefer to see Kerry draw Derry. They don't like playing against teams from Ulster, or at least they don't fare well against teams from Ulster. Cavan, although from Ulster also, will be in a stupor for the rest of the year.

Fair play to Westmeath. They're a good side to watch---some fine footballers there who can kick. Onwards and upwards."
They played Ulsters three best teams in the quarter/semi,and final last year, and won all three games easily .

Think before you post...

Seniorleague (Galway) - Posts: 44 - 30/05/2026 22:23:20    2676655

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "There are a few simple facts to the Kerry Donegal match

Kerry gave Donegal a lesson in football during the All Ireland final
Donegal have made a few changes and are now a better team (especially looking at Kerry - 5 all stars)


Murphy should have been sent off.

The Kerry supporters were all about Murphy the last day and so were the Kerry defenders - its not the first time he has got that. Diarmuid Connolly, Lee Keegan, Francie Bellew, Aiden O Shea, Liam McHale, Graham Geraghty, Donaghy etc - there has always been lads who get the crowd riled up and bring a bit of extra heat from the opposition. Anyone getting on their high horse over the Kerry support at home championship match doesn't go to too many Gaelic Football (or any other sport) matches. Nothing happens in Cricket, but the crowd still love a panto villian and there is plenty sledging, crowd cheering etc.

Murphy doesn't help himself either - he ran the whole length of the pitch to get involved with Clifford - evening ploughing on past McHugh and leaving him to be man handled by 2 kerrymen (and ultimately punched). He did it knowing he would attract Kerry men and maybe get one or two carded, not necessarily to hit anyone - he simply walked straight through the melee - which kept it going after Clifford had started it and got out of there.

Jim McGuiness (and the Maor Uisce) embarrassed themselves on the pitch (and in the post match interview) the last day. McHugh got a cut above his eye - rather than let the doctor deal with in properly, McHugh was rubbing his hand on the cut and showing it around, making it look worse that it was. Then all the Donegal lads got up in arms shouting at the ref. It was an embarrassment, if even one of them says they never saw a lad get a punch like that, they are lying. Yes is shouldn't have happened, but let the ref deal with it. If the ref doesn't deal with it - then sort it yourself later. Running around pointing fingers and shouting like its school yard is embarrassing for everyone.

Donegal got under Kerrys skin in the last few matches - Kerry lost their heads on the day. Kerry now need to regroup and find a solution before they meet again. None of these last 3 wins by Donegal will mean anything if Kerry figure it out and come back and beat them in the All Ireland.

We used to see the same carry on in the Dublin - Mayo matches 10 years ago - it was enthralling, exciting and well worth watching. Now we have it again between Kerry and Donegal - long may the rivalry continue."
Give your head a wobble there. Actually blaming Murphy for defending his friend/team mate and somehow also blaming the victim in the assault. Classic Mayo fans. Odd bunch.

eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 377 - 31/05/2026 02:21:08    2676680

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One weekend without a Mayo fan complaining about Donegal…challenge impossible.

eddieSize5Balls (Donegal) - Posts: 377 - 31/05/2026 02:22:09    2676681

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Armagh never really had to get out of 2nd gear yesterday. Surprised by how comfortable it was. Some very poor shooting from Derry meant we never had to move up the gear either.

Hopefully Murnin coming off was just cramp and not hamstring, we cant really afford to lose another midfielder.

ArmaghAndProud (Armagh) - Posts: 54 - 31/05/2026 08:58:36    2676687

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Replying To Seniorleague:  "They played Ulsters three best teams in the quarter/semi,and final last year, and won all three games easily .

Think before you post..."
I think Donegal realized that Ulster had to be sacrificed this year, interesting to see how Armagh fare from preliminary round in Ulster from now on.Tyrone were poor enough, beat a poor Dublin team, who didn't know how to win the match last year, and deservedly beaten by a great kerry team. They will unlikely be all on the pitch this year, and a few will be ring rusty, so there to be shot at. Galway best in West, and Joyce also realized he didn't need another provincial title, and focused the training to arrive and peak now. Armagh, Donegal, Galway, Kerry that's alphabetical order, now to sort it playing wise.......

Expertinall (UK) - Posts: 127 - 31/05/2026 09:14:58    2676689

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Replying To Expertinall:  "I think Donegal realized that Ulster had to be sacrificed this year, interesting to see how Armagh fare from preliminary round in Ulster from now on.Tyrone were poor enough, beat a poor Dublin team, who didn't know how to win the match last year, and deservedly beaten by a great kerry team. They will unlikely be all on the pitch this year, and a few will be ring rusty, so there to be shot at. Galway best in West, and Joyce also realized he didn't need another provincial title, and focused the training to arrive and peak now. Armagh, Donegal, Galway, Kerry that's alphabetical order, now to sort it playing wise......."
Armagh I think are in front on power rankings. Very disappointed in Derry last night but Armagh looked like champions staying ahead of any danger without hitting top gear.

Looking like Kerry will be safe enough in round 2B. Worst case scenario would be away to Roscommon. Right now I don't see any other loser troubling them. If Dublin or Mayo lose today, maybe they'd be interesting with home advantage but overall, I fear Kerry will come roaring back after last weeks hiding.

shaggykev (Donegal) - Posts: 452 - 31/05/2026 10:07:03    2676694

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Replying To Expertinall:  "I think Donegal realized that Ulster had to be sacrificed this year, interesting to see how Armagh fare from preliminary round in Ulster from now on.Tyrone were poor enough, beat a poor Dublin team, who didn't know how to win the match last year, and deservedly beaten by a great kerry team. They will unlikely be all on the pitch this year, and a few will be ring rusty, so there to be shot at. Galway best in West, and Joyce also realized he didn't need another provincial title, and focused the training to arrive and peak now. Armagh, Donegal, Galway, Kerry that's alphabetical order, now to sort it playing wise......."
Ok expertinnothing.,So Galway and Donegal threw their provincial titles.Donegal going for 3 in a row for first time ever and Galway going for 5 in a row No word on Dublin?Whats your county?

brayballer (Wicklow) - Posts: 637 - 31/05/2026 10:41:45    2676698

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Replying To shaggykev:  "Armagh I think are in front on power rankings. Very disappointed in Derry last night but Armagh looked like champions staying ahead of any danger without hitting top gear.

Looking like Kerry will be safe enough in round 2B. Worst case scenario would be away to Roscommon. Right now I don't see any other loser troubling them. If Dublin or Mayo lose today, maybe they'd be interesting with home advantage but overall, I fear Kerry will come roaring back after last weeks hiding."
There are plenty of more teams also that will beat donegal but all yous worried about is Kerrt.

brayballer (Wicklow) - Posts: 637 - 31/05/2026 10:47:19    2676701

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Replying To brayballer:  "There are plenty of more teams also that will beat donegal but all yous worried about is Kerrt."
Dublin playing today and Dave Brown is still worrying about Donegal.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1651 - 31/05/2026 11:48:47    2676705

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Replying To brayballer:  "Ok expertinnothing.,So Galway and Donegal threw their provincial titles.Donegal going for 3 in a row for first time ever and Galway going for 5 in a row No word on Dublin?Whats your county?"
I didn't say they threw their provincials, they targeted their training to the current format. That's what has to be done, semifinals and finalists, no use to Joyce or MC Guinness, neither is another provincial title. When they meet their county boards at end of season, will another provincial earn them much kudos? Pauric Joyce must be tripping over them, as a player and Manager, and I hope they meet Donegal in the final. If it's relevant I'm a londoner, born and bred.

Expertinall (UK) - Posts: 127 - 31/05/2026 11:50:00    2676706

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Replying To brayballer:  "There are plenty of more teams also that will beat donegal but all yous worried about is Kerrt."
You don't have to worry about Kerry or Donegal in the Tailteann Cup?

Scenicparish (Donegal) - Posts: 983 - 31/05/2026 11:54:12    2676707

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Replying To brayballer:  "There are plenty of more teams also that will beat donegal but all yous worried about is Kerrt."
Well, taking into account just 2026, it's only been Down and Roscommon, so far, and can't meet either in next round! Put up your list, and we'll see if they are so plentiful?

Expertinall (UK) - Posts: 127 - 31/05/2026 12:01:52    2676711

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Looking at westmeath players exhaustion levels after game yesterday im wondering if people agree that it might be time to at least consider increasing number of substitutions in the interests of player welfare in the condensed season. One suggestion would be to retain the limit of 5 for in play substitutions but to allow an additional 3 at half time and also 3 changes between coin toss at start. Logic for keeping at 5 for in play would be not to disrupt play further. Logic for adding the pre game change would be to keep a role for marquee players who might not have 70 minutes in them. As an example, take paul conroy, galway want him on the field as a 2 point threat but he is no such threat against wind . But Galway start him in case they have wind in first half and may end up playing full game at 36/37 in order to ensure he plays with wind for a full half. There many such players at club and county level around the country and we want to see these lads playing without dogging them. Also increasing these pre game and half time changes could add to the intrigue and give managers (and commentators) more work to do...they are, in general, getting well paid , unlike the players who are currently being dogged.

anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 1080 - 31/05/2026 12:11:11    2676716

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Replying To anotheralias:  "Looking at westmeath players exhaustion levels after game yesterday im wondering if people agree that it might be time to at least consider increasing number of substitutions in the interests of player welfare in the condensed season. One suggestion would be to retain the limit of 5 for in play substitutions but to allow an additional 3 at half time and also 3 changes between coin toss at start. Logic for keeping at 5 for in play would be not to disrupt play further. Logic for adding the pre game change would be to keep a role for marquee players who might not have 70 minutes in them. As an example, take paul conroy, galway want him on the field as a 2 point threat but he is no such threat against wind . But Galway start him in case they have wind in first half and may end up playing full game at 36/37 in order to ensure he plays with wind for a full half. There many such players at club and county level around the country and we want to see these lads playing without dogging them. Also increasing these pre game and half time changes could add to the intrigue and give managers (and commentators) more work to do...they are, in general, getting well paid , unlike the players who are currently being dogged."
you don't start the lads who don't have 70 mins, simple solution, especially if you are waiting for a coin toss.

suckvalleypaddy (Galway) - Posts: 1799 - 31/05/2026 12:39:26    2676723

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Interesting to hear Armagh say they learned lessons from the defeats of provincial winners in the first weekend of Round 1. Flawed system.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9760 - 31/05/2026 13:37:15    2676737

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Replying To suckvalleypaddy:  "you don't start the lads who don't have 70 mins, simple solution, especially if you are waiting for a coin toss."
Exactly. They dont have to.... but they do. Also the intensity of games is getting the stage that few players have 70 minutes at the intensity thats required. Its going like rugby.. You would never ask Andy Farrell not to start Dan Sheehan because he doesnt have 80 minutes in him..

anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 1080 - 31/05/2026 13:59:41    2676740

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Replying To suckvalleypaddy:  "you don't start the lads who don't have 70 mins, simple solution, especially if you are waiting for a coin toss."
They can make 11 changes at full time before extra time

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2649 - 31/05/2026 14:10:25    2676742

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Interesting to hear Armagh say they learned lessons from the defeats of provincial winners in the first weekend of Round 1. Flawed system."
Complaining for the sake of it. Kerry could have easily learned from last year.
Louth win Leinster lose first game.
Donegal win Ulster lose first game.
Galway win Connacht lose first game.

Lúla571210 (Louth) - Posts: 183 - 31/05/2026 14:16:56    2676744

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Replying To Expertinall:  "I didn't say they threw their provincials, they targeted their training to the current format. That's what has to be done, semifinals and finalists, no use to Joyce or MC Guinness, neither is another provincial title. When they meet their county boards at end of season, will another provincial earn them much kudos? Pauric Joyce must be tripping over them, as a player and Manager, and I hope they meet Donegal in the final. If it's relevant I'm a londoner, born and bred."
Ye might be born in London but you still know more than the Wicklow man.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2694 - 31/05/2026 14:42:00    2676754

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Brilliant scheduling by the boys in power on timing of the 2 football matches today.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2694 - 31/05/2026 16:04:26    2676764

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