It was a blockbuster weekend of football championship, with Kerry and Roscommon the big winners at the end of it.
There was endless debate in the build-up to the action, and Thel Sunday Game panel attempted to digest it all.
Before a ball was thrown in, many were pondering the wisdom of holding the All-Ireland SFC series draw before the provincial finals were contested. Peter Canavan did not agree with the call.
"It's a competitive disadvantage to the counties who reach their provincial final..."
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 10, 2026
Our panel are not impressed with the 'unnecessarily' early draw for the All-Ireland series. #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/b3qzrUECCr
"It took away from the finals, all the talk about the games a couple of weeks down the line," he said.
"Players don't need it, managers don't need it, fans probably don't need it. Not that Roscommon or Kerry are too worried about it (now), but I think they should have been left it until (today)."
Cora Staunton concurred. "It's a competitive disadvantage to the provincial finalists. You're giving an advantage to someone who was knocked out of the semi-final or quarter-final that can sit back whether it's for three weeks or a month.
"Plus you want Roscommon to be able to enjoy their night, and Kerry, without having to look forward."
"When they have everyone fit, they're going to have some panel of 26. That's why Kerry are favourites for the All-Ireland..."
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 10, 2026
The Kerry juggernaut rolls on - and it's only getting stronger... #RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/sG9smo4mWu
Speaking of Kerry, both Canavan and Staunton believe they are looking in ominously good shape.
Jack O'Connor has a number of injury worries, and yet he can still summon serious quality from the bench if he needs to. Their Munster SFC final defeat of Cork was smoothly efficient.
"You can see what's missing (Shane Ryan, Paul Murphy, Joe O'Connor, Paul Geany, Tom O'Sullivan, Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Sean O'Shea and Graham O'Sullivan were all unavailable to face the Rebels). A huge amount of experience, players that were massive for them over the last number of years," Staunton said.
"They're just building a squad. They got so much impact from the bench.
"When they have all fully fit players, they're going to have a huge 26. For me they are favourites for the All-Ireland now."
The Battle of Cregg & Comer... Roscommon and Galway's respective benches made their mark at the Hyde this afternoon.#RTEgaa pic.twitter.com/P6a4kCW8tk
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 10, 2026
Galway and Roscommon will both hope to put it up to the Kingdom as the summer progresses, and Canavan highlighted the impact of their benches in a pulsating Connacht decider.
"For me it came down to (Damien) Comer v (Daire) Cregg," he said.
"Comer came on after 41 minutes, Cregg came on after 45.
"Cregg delivered coming off the bench for Roscommon, but likewise so did Damien Comer. He was so direct. His influence was massive."
