The 2025 All Ireland Senior Football Championship (Sam Maguire Cup)

Donegal favourites for me

Mulroy mentioned it after the Cork loss in his interview on LMFM that we would need to get to Leinster Final and in fairness the lads of the Football Pod have mentioned it

Another outside chance we would have if we don't have a Leinster Final would be if Down get to a Ulster Final

So Down and one of Clare/Tipp/Waterford are guaranteed to be in the draw for Sam.

If Louth don't get to a Leinster final then one of Kildare/Westmeath/Wexford/Laois will take their place.

Cork are next on the chopping block after that if another team below them in the league get to a provincial final.

Have I that right?

It's starting this week but very little excitement as yet from what I can see. It's a pity the format wasn't changed for this year rather than next- we still have a few months of the low-interest Group Stages, the shambles of the Leinster Championship etc. to wade through before we get to the important games from late June.

The good things are that the new rules, while not perfect, were a big improvement on the style of play from recent years. I think most people from all over the country will be happy with how the League turned out. It's a very open Championship this year in terms of possible winners which is also good.

One thing that might happen is that lower teams (who were previously able to keep it tight using a defensive system) could end up on the wrong side of massive hammerings

It all kicks off today. But you'd barely know it

Wasn't expecting Wexford to be beaten badly today. Waterford gave Tipperary a bit of a fright towards the end of their game. Roscommon and Cork wins were as expected. Limerick not helped by having a man sent off in the first half.

I know the provincial championships are a bit of a dip after the league. The promotion of the provincial championship games seems low key. All except for Down outside the league's top 14 are looking at knockout football if qualifying for the All Ireland is their target. That knockout aspect isn't overly prominent in media coverage.

It may be a record for the Ulster championship. This is because the Armagh Ladies are playing the League final later in the day. Of course 2pm would have done if it had been played in Newry as proposed.

Big goal for Derry. If they can keep the deficit down until HT, they could have a chance.

Ponderous game that has really livened up.

And goal and pt for Donegal and probably the game. Kickouts a big difference. Donegal cleaning Derry on them. Derrys own kick out is very poor

Ya, Rogers has been influential, Glass not in it at all and they are getting wiped out at midfield.

It must be disheartening for every actual club goalkeeper in Derry to see them persist with that 'tactic'. Surely easier to mold a young lad with the natural keeping instincts.

I know it worked for Armagh, but they are literally the only exception to the rule.

Along with the natural keeping instincts, it is a real bonus if they can find one who can also contribute to the play when needed. And be able to deliver pin point accurate kickouts. And be an option to take frees.

Sligo giving it a good go but they are still a team in development mode.

Mayo leading by 3 in Castlebar.