The 2006 Bank of Ireland All-Ireland Senior Football Championship began on Sunday 7 May 2006. The 2006 championship used the same "Qualifier" system that was used in 2005. Tyrone were the defending champions, but were knocked out relatively early in the competition by Laois. Kerry won their 34th Sam Maguire beating Mayo in a repeat of the 2004 final. Format Since the introduction of the so-called "back-door" system a few years ago, a number of changes have taken place in the championship format. In 2006 the following system was used: The provincial championships in Munster, Leinster, Ulster and Connacht ran as usual on a "knock-out" basis. These provincial games were then followed by the "Qualifier" system: Round 1 of the qualifiers included all the counties (except New York) that did not qualify for the Provincial Semi-finals. An open draw was held to give eight pairings. Round 2 consisted of the eight defeated teams in the Provincial Semi-finals playing against the eight winners from Round 1. A draw was held to determine the eight pairings. Round 3 consisted of the eight winners from Round 2. Another open draw was held to determine the four pairings. Round 4 consisted of each of the four teams defeated in the Provincial Finals playing against the four winners from Round 3. A draw was held to determine the four pairings. The All-Ireland Quarter-finals: Each of the four Provincial Champions played one of the four winners from Round 4. The All-Ireland Semi-finals were on a Provincial rots basis, initially determined by the Central Council. If a Provincial Championship winning team was defeated in its Quarter-final, the team that defeats it would take its place in the Semi-final. Results Munster Senior Football Championship Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Leinster Senior Football Championship Round 1 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Ulster Senior Football Championship Round 1 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final Connacht Senior Football Championship Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final All-Ireland qualifiers Round 1 This Round included all the counties that did not qualify for their respective Provincial Semi-finals. An Open Draw was held to give eight pairings, the winners progressed to Round 2 and the losers were eliminated from the 2006 All-Ireland Football Championship, but could continue in the All-Ireland competition, the Tommy Murphy Cup. Due to a controversial blood substitution by Offaly against Kildare, Kildare decided to appeal the match result and therefore Offaly's continuation in the Leinster Championship. Eventually it was clarified that