Less jeopardy early on in Sam Maguire race a good thing for Clifford

25 April 2026; David Clifford of Kerry walks off after being black carded during the Munster GAA Football Senior Championship semi-final match between Kerry and Clare at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg in Ennis, Clare. Photo by Paul Phelan/Sportsfile

David Clifford insists it’s right that there isn’t too much jeopardy early in the All-Ireland senior football championship.

None of the 16 teams will exit the competition until the middle of June when four are eliminated. 

The three-time footballer of the year believes the new system is fair by affording counties a safety net in the provincial championships and one defeat in the opening two rounds of the All-Ireland series.

Speaking before Monday’s first round draw which pits them against Donegal at home on May 23 or 24, Clifford said: “When I probably started first, we had about eight weeks between the league and the championship, or six weeks or something. Now we probably have three, but yeah, like it is good.

“It's the element that the jeopardy isn't totally final or too early in the year. I think it's important because everyone puts a lot into it. I know we all love knock-out games, but let's say one of those teams that were beaten the weekend, if their year was over, there would be kind of a cruel element to that.” 

Additional trains have been put on for Sunday’s Munster SFC final in Killarney. There will be a 10.40am service from Cork and a 4.55pm train returning to the city.

Kerry’s Dalata Hotels Group U20 All-Ireland semi-final against Roscommon has been scheduled for FBD Semple Stadium on Wednesday, May 13. The game will have a 7.30pm throw-in.

The other semi-final between Tyrone and the winners of the Leinster final, Kildare or Louth, will be confirmed later this week following that provincial decider in Parnell Park.

Elsewhere, the Galway’s U20s on Micheál Donoghue’s Galway senior side face a similar situation to Cork’s Barry Walsh next week. Their Leinster U20 semi-final against Wexford has been scheduled three days before the provincial senior Round 4 clash with Dublin in Pearse Stadium.

Aaron Niland and Jason Rabbitte, who have been starring for the seniors, and Cullen Killeen qualify for both teams.

For the Munster U20 final on May 13, Brendan Cummins will hope to call on captain Oisín O’Donoghue, one of the seniors’ best players over their opening two Munster games against Limerick and Waterford, and Stefan Tobin.

The game against Clare or Cork comes three days before Tipperary and Clare face off in the fourth round of the Munster SHC in Thurles.

Carrick Swans man Tobin began the seniors’ defeat to Cork and came off the bench against Waterford to score two points in last Sunday week’s draw.