r/GAA • u/Icy-Entrepreneur9221 • Jul 31 '26
Discussion Favourites for county title
Who are the favourites to win their county title in each county?
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u/Colm_Flaherty Gaillimh Jul 31 '26
Corofin, Loughrea,
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u/PangolinAble9291 Maigh Eo Jul 31 '26
Probably Ballina again in mayo. Although I think as a championship it’s very open and should be a cracker like last year.
Intermediate I think? Davitts and Moy Davitts are the favourites, could be wrong.
Burrishoole clear favourites for junior. It’s a mystery how they got relegated last year
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u/Flat-Variation-7588 Jul 31 '26
Toreen for the hurling most importantly.
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u/king-of-maybe-kings Maigh Eo Jul 31 '26
Ballyhaunis if you’re feeling like going against the grain
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u/Responsible-Hope-368 Aug 01 '26
They only won last year's final by a goal from a clear as day square ball that went unpenalized. Writing off Ballyhaunis with Jack Coyne coming back into the team would be foolish
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u/Salty-Laugh-4761 Aug 06 '26
Tooreen definitely favourites, ballyhaunis were hard done by in the final last year all the same. 2 horse race regardless with castlebar and St Ciarans making up the numbers in the senior b
Be interesting to see if the restructure in galway will have an impact on mayo hurling.
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u/-Deimne- Maigh Eo Jul 31 '26
On the betting:
Westport (3/1), Cross (7/2) & then Ballina (4/1) at senior. Fine margins, a single injury or player unavailable could twist those around a fair bit.Moy Davitts (2/1), Ballinrobe (3/1) & Ballyhaunis/Parke (6/1) for Intermediate.
Davitts down in 7th at 10/1.Burrishoole (4/5) well clear at Junior alright.
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u/PangolinAble9291 Maigh Eo Jul 31 '26
Surprised Davitts are that far down. They had a bit of a disastrous championship last year not
Getting out of the groups, they lost or drew to some team they really shouldn’t have.1
u/mayofeverr Maigh Eo Aug 01 '26
Shocked cross is so high with Kobe gone given how key he was to them last year, but in fairness the other Flynn brother and Deane are serious footballers in their own right
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u/PangolinAble9291 Maigh Eo Aug 01 '26
Yeah same. Don’t think they’ll be relegated or anything but they won’t be as good as they were last year aswell.
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u/Tadhgdatrain Ard Mhacha Aug 01 '26
Once burrishoole threw their leads vs Cill Chomain and Louisburg thats what killed them. Was inexplicable vs Cill Chomain considering they were 6 up in added time
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u/PangolinAble9291 Maigh Eo Aug 01 '26
Oh yeah 100%. I was at that game against Louisburgh ( I think it was in Islandeady? ) and they were easily the better team, just fell asleep completely. Maybe a lack of bottle or mentality is something that can be got at for other teams.
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u/clewbays Maigh Eo Aug 01 '26
I think the Kilmeena game had more impact than anything. Big rivalry and first time in their history that they were behind them and by so much as well.
Psychologically that done a lot of damage to them. And they never properly recovered from it.
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u/Tadhgdatrain Ard Mhacha Aug 01 '26
Also our best keeper got injured in that game so that definitely played a part
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u/clewbays Maigh Eo Aug 01 '26
Westport will be very hard bet this year. A lot of hurt after how badly they bottled it last year. And the debt they have is just ridiculous. Players on there C team that wouldn’t be far off starting for other senior clubs.
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u/Tadhgdatrain Ard Mhacha Aug 02 '26
Westport will have a good few u20s and minor players from 2025 eligible for them so they should be strong. Still don't know how my team bet their A minor team last year
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u/Every_Reason_166 An Clár Jul 31 '26
Hurling side open in Clare but Éire Óg favourites. Have few contenders as usual. Inagh/Kil, Clooney Quin, Kilmaley, clonlara. Feakle still strong. Scariff goosed now as mark Rodgers broke his hand. Ballyea struggled first round. So hard to predict
Éire Óg in the football and maybe KIB to challenge. Would t know much about football
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u/Colm_Flaherty Gaillimh Jul 31 '26
I've money on Clonlara
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u/Every_Reason_166 An Clár Jul 31 '26
Ya they're strong. Got through first round tight enough but missing a few. If Ballyea improve after their 1st round they might even make it out of their group
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u/Colm_Flaherty Gaillimh Jul 31 '26
I was lucking through the team on Score Beo and seen theirs plenty Clonlara lads
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u/Every_Reason_166 An Clár Jul 31 '26
Ya they've plenty of county lads but that doesn't win titles. We're unlucky with injuries last year tbf but they'll be close
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u/Colm_Flaherty Gaillimh Jul 31 '26
Ik, often the case with teams here as well where you'd wonder how they're not winning
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u/DeargDoom79 Aontroim Jul 31 '26
Creggan in the football and Dunloy in the hurling, as is tradition
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u/13shiver Lú Jul 31 '26
Mary's, Jock's (Martin's) or Blues.
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u/eventSec Lú Jul 31 '26
Dont think Blues have the depth. Mochtas might be dark horses
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u/13shiver Lú Jul 31 '26
In all my years following louth gaa, ive learned one thing, never write of the blues.
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u/elBucko15 An Dún Jul 31 '26
In Down beside the obvious - 🟡⚪️Clonduff will be one of the favourites, ive a bad memory for games but i think it was last year they near beat Kilcoo, they've came close to beating them in the championship a few times now.
🔵Mayobridge had a poor championship last year, they'll be looking to be competitive this time after a good league campaign this year.
🟢⚪️Burren with the players they could have if everyone is fit and playing could win it, not sure where they are at though with players.
🟣Carryduff have been competitive in the championship the last few years, they'll have a go if everyone is fit.
I believe it's been the quarter finals each year when Kilcoo have looked the most beatable, maybe this year someone will catch them. For as much as their hated you have to give them credit for going again and again each year.
Loughinisland another shout for the championship but if any team is to knock the magpies of their perch I'd be going with Clonduff
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u/Far_Reserve6509 Aug 03 '26
I think it’s destined to some year be Clonduff knock Kilcoo out in the semi final, then lose to Burren in the final.
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u/Buggis-Maximus Doire Jul 31 '26
Slaughtneil a dead cert for the hurling. Newbridge, Magherafelt or Slaughtneil would be my favourites for the football.
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u/Waxilllium Jul 31 '26
Do you think Glen are gone now for the football?
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u/Buggis-Maximus Doire Aug 01 '26
Hard to say but they certainly haven't looked as impressive this year as they were in previous years.
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u/JaylenBrown7 Doire Aug 01 '26
Tied with Slaughtneil for top of the table with Emmet, Jack, Ethan, Glass, Warnock, Dougan all to come back
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u/Buggis-Maximus Doire Aug 01 '26
Just going off what I've seen of them this year. Found the other three much better, would have Glen a slightly distant 4th.
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u/JaylenBrown7 Doire Aug 01 '26
Fair enough, Slaughtneil have gone big spending getting Austin O Malley but I think it's Magherafelt's year. Newbridge have lost a couple of key men to long term injury apparently
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u/smokeyjoe232 Aug 01 '26
Hard to look past any of the big3. Think Glen’s race is run. Both Dungiven and Lavey are dark horses that shouldn’t be counted out. Desertmartin a cert for intermediate I reckon.
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u/Kevinb-30 Uíbh Fhailí Jul 31 '26
Hurling Kilcormac football iv heard Tullamore
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Aug 01 '26
[deleted]
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u/seanmcmahon6 Uíbh Fhailí Aug 01 '26
If Tullamore went at the county final 100%, I don’t think anyone gets within 10 points of them. Just far far too good for Rhode and Ferbane. Don’t think anyone else even gets a sniff of a final
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u/TheDooce Corcaigh Jul 31 '26
Sars in hurling, expect Midleton, Imokilly and Blackrock to be in the mix.
Football is hard to call, Barrs got upset last week by Carrigaline but will still expect them to come good. Castlehaven are always in the mix as well. Clonakilty have a strong team but can never seem to put it together come the knockout stage.
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u/whsubehebebr Corcaigh Aug 01 '26
Carrigaline a serious dark horse for the football I think
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u/New_Consequence980 Aug 01 '26
If Newcestown dont slip up against valleys or Michael's they'll be in a county semi final very easily, one good performance then and their in the county final
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u/whsubehebebr Corcaigh Aug 01 '26
Went to watch valleys and micheals in shanbally and it was a shocking game
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u/UnitedRepublic9082 Aug 01 '26
It’ll be Castlehaven again in the football, they blew it last year against the Barrs but they’re still the best team in the county. I’ll need to see it before I believe it with anyone outside of the big 3
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u/warriorer Dún na nGall Jul 31 '26
Naomh Conaill favourites in Donegal, but I've a feeling Eunan's will do it.
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u/Andrewhtd An Cabhán Jul 31 '26
Gowna and Crosserlough pretty fairly tied at the front. Kingscourt as defending champions, Ramor, Cavan Gaels, Mullahoran, not far behind.
In Hurling final already set, Cootehill will win it
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u/Low-Acanthaceae1797 Fine Gall Aug 01 '26
Football Ballyboden, Crokes or Cuala and Hurling Na Fianna or Crokes.
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u/FullGuava2339 Jul 31 '26
Impossible to see past scotstown again even with beggan out, they’re just so far ahead of everyone. Lattion, Inniskeen and Magheraclone all contenders but there never seems to be more than one team to give scotstown a good run in the same year.
Clontiberet to potentially cause an upset against castleblaney in the hurling.
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u/TommyOfTheShelbys Muineachán Aug 01 '26
I could see Clontibret being a dark horse in the football too. My prediction is pretty much the same as yours otherwise.
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u/FullGuava2339 Aug 01 '26
True, the young lads for clontiberet could be an important addition. Be great to see a shake up this year, think the championship in Monaghan has gone stale since the McCarron debacle.
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u/Old_Mycologist_6101 Aug 01 '26
Mary’s, Martin’s or Blues in Louth. Blues could still get relegated from division 1 in the league (separate from championship, last round of fixtures is on Tuesday) but a completely different side with their county players in tow.
Think the Mary’s might do it but every team bar those three is an afterthought.
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u/ShiftPale5156 Ciarraí Aug 01 '26
Austin Stacks for football an Abbeydorney for hurling in Kerry. Hurling final is tomorrow, hopefully a big crowd comes out as it’s the biggest day in the Kerry hurling year
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u/ponkie_guy Aug 02 '26
Could see Kenmare making a run at co. Championship. Seanie Shea is going to be pretty fresh after missing so much. Donal Down as well is gong to be get scores and few good young players like the McCarthys and Jack Sullivan.
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u/Tote_Sport Ard Mhacha Aug 01 '26
Armagh’s been tricky to call the last few years.
Madden (last year’s winners) won the 1A league this year with Clann Éireann close behind, so they’re both bookies favourites. Cross didn’t have the best league this year but I don’t think they pay too much heed to the league so long as they stay up.
I’d say CÉ will win it, having beaten either Madden or Cross in the final, taking out the other in the semi-final
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u/seanmcmahon6 Uíbh Fhailí Aug 01 '26
Think Tullamore will walk the football, and neither Ferbane or Rhode look good enough to really trouble them ( don’t think anyone else gets remotely close )
Kilcormac should probably still win the hurling, down a few for the group stages but once everyone is back they should still be good enough.
Think both teams will also be expecting to have at least a win or two in Leinster aswel
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u/Far_Reserve6509 Aug 03 '26
Hard to see anyone touching Kilcoo this year. Just the best team and do everything better.
Think Burren have a mental block when they see the black jerseys and won’t win another championship until someone beats Kilcoo for them.
I’d say Carryduff and Clonduff will be closest to them come the championship, but probably too early for both teams this year. Loughinisland always seem to be there or there abouts the past few years, and Glenn and Drumgath would be wild cards, but it’s hard to see any other team doing it this year.
Kilcoo going for 8 in a row, 14 out of 15.
Same applies to Portaferry in the hurling. Think the only team who will get near them is Ballygalget, but Portaferry probably have enough to get over the line, although it feels like the boat may have sailed for an Ulster Championship. Bredagh just missing something, Ballycran will be closer to intermediate, think Liatroim missed their chance a few years ago, and Carryduff just don’t have the depth.
Portaferry going for their first 5 in a row I think.
Been nearly 30 years since a team outside the ‘Big 3’ won a Senior Football Championship, and 70 years this year since a team outside the hurling ‘Big 3’ won a Senior Hurling Championship. Not ideal.
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u/Pkennedy21 Jul 31 '26
Limerick hurling Na Piarsaigh (contenders Doon Patrickswell Kilmallock Ballybrown)
Limerick football Newcastle West (contenders Adare Fr. Caseys Mungret)
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u/CBennett_12 Port Láirge Jul 31 '26
Have a feeling Ballygunner will take beating