National Football League 2023

Doesn't matter if it's known since the league started or year before it and It's very much a problem with scheduling when any team doesn't have at least two weeks to prepare and train (fully focus) on their championship opener. Scrapping pre season competitions is relevant as it would create more room on the calendar but the chances of provinces wanting to part ways with that match day money? HQ knew about this issue ahead and asked congress to scrap league finals but was voted against. (that could well change at the next congress)

Ciaran Whelan is probably thinking of a full strength Mayo team who was unbeaten and it will be a much stronger starting Mayo 15 than what started against Monaghan that included 7 players making their first starts this year.

Everyone being a few people on this thread. Even back in December the local paper just noted it as precious little time to prepare. That was the time for Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim and London to get their objections in. Plus all the counties in the other provinces playing on 09 April. If any of them were arrogant enough to say we are definitely going to be in the top 2 in our Division. Is it making big news in the West now?

"Following the seven rounds of the league, the top two teams will qualify for the final.There's precious little rest thereafter as the championships commences a week later, with Mayo hosting Roscommon in their Connacht quarterfinal on Sunday, April 9. The winners will travel to Galway for the semi-final on Sunday, April 23, with the final scheduled for Sunday, May 7."

Had another look on Ticketmaster just now hoping for some better seat options and managed to get Lower Cusack Section 306 which is pretty much central so happy with that for €25. Hopefully the weather improves as it's raining heavy in Dublin all night and only stopped about a couple of hours ago.

Enjoyable enough D4 final, esp considering the conditions

I commented on that as well actually - the incident when young Spillane tried to kick the ball off the wicklow lad for a 45 instead of just picking it up was infuriating!

Super triple block by the Fermanagh goalkeeper and defenders saves an almost certain goal. Cavan looking a little too strong beginning to open up a gap.

Great save by Fermanagh goalie again

Cavan much the better team when they woke up after half time.

Their first Championship game is in 3 weeks, Fermanagh have a 2 week break. If they hadn't made the Final it would be 4/3 weeks. As it is there is a whole host of teams who are going to be waiting 4 weeks. Putting a mandatory 2 week break after the League Finals, would have the potential to have every team in the country waiting 3 weeks minimum.

There must be a danger of teams going off the boil with no competition for as long as that. One week could have it's downsides, but teams have to do it during the League, and will have to do it during the Championship. And the League Finalists are only given one week to prepare for the Finals. I don't see what is so precious about the first day out in the Provincial Championships.

Derry not clinical enough should have 2-3 more points on the board. Could come back to haunt them

Dublin kicking it away at present.

Derry seem to lack the conviction to win this match. They should be 5-5 points more on the board. There shot selection was por they opted for shots on goal three times when the goal area was congested.

On the other hand Dublin made a hash of two goal chances they should definitely have scored the second one

No, but it would still be nice to see a quality forward that can take a score. Kilkenny has been poor and Con is limited enough against a packed defence, he had a few opportunities to shoot that he spurned, where the likes of Clifford would probably have 3 pts from play with the same possession.