Replying To Canuck: "There should concentrated action done to bring more teams to the top table in hurling. Why are some counties so strong and their neighbours not? Too easy to say tradition and they will never get there. Build a model that works for all based on those who are successful. How about putting counties together. Meath/Westmeath, Carlow/Laois, Down/Derry, Connaught less Galway, Wicklow/Kildare/Louth. Kerry are isolated surrounded by strong counties."
Absolutely agree with you, but unfortunately most GAA County Board Officials immediately shoot down the idea once one mentions it.
I dont think we need to go nuts in regards to changing the current structure but there are a few tweaks that are absoloutely essential.
First off the Munster and Leinster Championships were unfairly structured, Wexford, Tipperary, Offaly and Waterford all played 4 weeks on the trot with the other teams all having the luxury of a break in the middle. Also there needs to be relegation from either Munster or Leinster, its ludicrous that only a Leinster team can be relegated and Munster is protected, yes Munster is far stronger will almost certainly win the play off, so whats the issue?
That needs to be changed and is easily tweaked, it was a silly oversight.
Secondly scrap the August All Ireland final, there is zero evidence of any benefit to Clubs in this which will be borne out when county finals are still being played in October and November.
The replay scenario needs to be ironed out, after the group stage Munster/Leinster Championships either every game goes to a replay after 70 mins or it doesnt.
For example Cork now remain the only team in Hurling history to not lose a game over 70 mins and not even make the final! Galway and Kilkenny drew a Leinster final over 70 mins and were afforded a replay in what is essentially a quarter final (winner going straight to semis) so why then can you draw a quarter final and get a replay but not a semi final?
Its been a great championship and with a few little tweaks here and there it can be even better imho
Replying To perfect10: "would there be support for abolishing the provincial championships and having a super 10 for hurling?"
This can be achieved while retaining the provincial championships.
- Provincial championships can return to knockout format. - 14 teams should participate across both provincial championships. Most likely the usual 5 in Munster and 9 in Leinster. - The 8 provincial semi-finalists should be guaranteed a place in the group stage. - The 6 teams failing to make the provincial semi-finals should enter 2 qualifier groups of 3. - The winners of the 2 qualifier groups should take the final 2 places in the top 10.
- The 4 teams missing out on the Super 10 should enter a group of 4. - Where they have already played a team in the qualifier group, that result should carryover meaning they play the 2 teams from the other group. - The Top 2 in this group should simply contest the McDonagh Cup final for the reward of being best at this level. - The bottom team in the group should be relegated to the Christy Ring Cup.
I'd like to see the current system get its three years and then tweak it.
In Munster, Tipp & Waterford will most likely be far more competitive in 2019 and it could be any 2 teams knocked out after the Munster group stages.
If we went to a 'Super 10' I think there would have to be a promotion/relegation system to/from the top flight. We need to give other counties a crack at it and maybe with 9 matches, rather than 4 they'd have a chance of survival by picking up a few wins.
Replying To slayer: "I'd like to see the current system get its three years and then tweak it.
In Munster, Tipp & Waterford will most likely be far more competitive in 2019 and it could be any 2 teams knocked out after the Munster group stages.
If we went to a 'Super 10' I think there would have to be a promotion/relegation system to/from the top flight. We need to give other counties a crack at it and maybe with 9 matches, rather than 4 they'd have a chance of survival by picking up a few wins."
I think my suggestion in the post before yours achieves the right balance of including the counties ranked 11 to 14.