National Forum

Provincial Championships 2024

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Replying To Seanfanbocht:  "Tipp won Munster 4 years ago, Sligo have won the last 2 Connacht u20s and should be competitive in the Senior from next year. They won Connacht in 2007.
Every County should be able to enter their Provincial SFC . The Tailteann is there for the weaker teams and we'll probably see a 3 tier structure in the future.
Your argument taken to its logical conclusion would mean only Dublin could enter the Leinster SFC !!"
I take your point but the provincial championships get a lot of bad press. Some form of promotion and relegation would sort that out.
Another tiered option is groups of 4.
Connacht and Munster having a group of 4 each. 2 Connacht and 2 Munster counties entering a Southwest Conference, also consisting of a group of 4.
The Leinster and Ulster championships can also have 1 group of 4 each. The second provincial tier for both can also consist of 1 group of 4 each, Leinster Conference and Ulster Conference. 3 Leinster and 1 Ulster county can then compete in a Northwest Conference.
Groups of 4 can have group games over 3 weekends, a weekend off and then the provincial and conference finals. All done in 5 weeks. A week off after the league finals and a week off after the provincial/conference finals before the All-Ireland series.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8242 - 28/02/2024 09:42:28    2528772

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Surprised that Peter Canavan expects Roscommon to send Mayo to bottom of table. I usually agree
with him about everything but not this. Mayo are my tip for Connacht this year also. Connacht/Ulster very exciting.

maroondiesel (Mayo) - Posts: 1218 - 28/02/2024 10:16:23    2528776

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Dublin in the toughest province not fair

highdropingball (Donegal) - Posts: 110 - 28/02/2024 11:20:40    2528785

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Replying To legendzxix:  "I take your point but the provincial championships get a lot of bad press. Some form of promotion and relegation would sort that out.
Another tiered option is groups of 4.
Connacht and Munster having a group of 4 each. 2 Connacht and 2 Munster counties entering a Southwest Conference, also consisting of a group of 4.
The Leinster and Ulster championships can also have 1 group of 4 each. The second provincial tier for both can also consist of 1 group of 4 each, Leinster Conference and Ulster Conference. 3 Leinster and 1 Ulster county can then compete in a Northwest Conference.
Groups of 4 can have group games over 3 weekends, a weekend off and then the provincial and conference finals. All done in 5 weeks. A week off after the league finals and a week off after the provincial/conference finals before the All-Ireland series."
For the AIC Series, you could have a 12-team KO - 8 prov Finalists, 3 Uls/Conn/Muns 3rds and 1 Uls Conf Champ. Four Prov Champs to AI QFs, other 8 to Prelim QFs. The weakest Prov (Lein) and the strongest Conf (Uls) could reviewed annually for any adjustment.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2849 - 28/02/2024 14:49:58    2528811

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Replying To omahant:  "For the AIC Series, you could have a 12-team KO - 8 prov Finalists, 3 Uls/Conn/Muns 3rds and 1 Uls Conf Champ. Four Prov Champs to AI QFs, other 8 to Prelim QFs. The weakest Prov (Lein) and the strongest Conf (Uls) could reviewed annually for any adjustment."
I've mooted the idea before of balanced representation from the provinces. The top third of counties from each province could qualify for the All-Ireland series. That breakdown is Ulster 3, Leinster 4, Munster 2 and Connacht 2. The remaining 5 places can be taken by the Tailteann winner and 4 league qualifiers.
In the tiered provincial championship in my previous post, the top 2 in Connacht and Munster would qualify for the All-Ireland series. The top 3 in Ulster. The top 3 in Leinster and the winner of the Leinster Conference.
Provincial winners seed 1, provincial runners-up seed 2 and all others seeded on league ranking.
The carrot for winning the provincial championship can be hosting an All-Ireland group. Provincial winners with 3 home games and all others with 1 home game each.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8242 - 28/02/2024 15:14:24    2528815

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Replying To legendzxix:  "I've mooted the idea before of balanced representation from the provinces. The top third of counties from each province could qualify for the All-Ireland series. That breakdown is Ulster 3, Leinster 4, Munster 2 and Connacht 2. The remaining 5 places can be taken by the Tailteann winner and 4 league qualifiers.
In the tiered provincial championship in my previous post, the top 2 in Connacht and Munster would qualify for the All-Ireland series. The top 3 in Ulster. The top 3 in Leinster and the winner of the Leinster Conference.
Provincial winners seed 1, provincial runners-up seed 2 and all others seeded on league ranking.
The carrot for winning the provincial championship can be hosting an All-Ireland group. Provincial winners with 3 home games and all others with 1 home game each."
I do like the idea of Prov Champs with 3 home games.
You know - you have 'top 4' round robins in each Prov - I also have all these games as part of my 12-match combined season for all - 6 league games in each round robin, 3 'doubling up' as Prov SFs & Final in each. What does my plan lack?

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2849 - 28/02/2024 17:28:02    2528834

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The title of the thread is Provincial Championships 2024!
The draws have been made, the fixtures have been made so let's discuss them.
Set up a new thread for dreaming up and discussing other preferred systems etc.
At this stage looking like Dublin and Kerry to cake walk Leinster and Munster.
Ulster pretty open but Derry have to be favourites.
Connacht - the big 3 will all fancy their chances and on their day any of them could win it.
Galway having the easier path to the Final are likely favourites.

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1907 - 28/02/2024 19:21:19    2528849

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Replying To legendzxix:  "I take your point but the provincial championships get a lot of bad press. Some form of promotion and relegation would sort that out.
Another tiered option is groups of 4.
Connacht and Munster having a group of 4 each. 2 Connacht and 2 Munster counties entering a Southwest Conference, also consisting of a group of 4.
The Leinster and Ulster championships can also have 1 group of 4 each. The second provincial tier for both can also consist of 1 group of 4 each, Leinster Conference and Ulster Conference. 3 Leinster and 1 Ulster county can then compete in a Northwest Conference.
Groups of 4 can have group games over 3 weekends, a weekend off and then the provincial and conference finals. All done in 5 weeks. A week off after the league finals and a week off after the provincial/conference finals before the All-Ireland series."
Who exactly do the provincial championships get a lot of bad press from?

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7620 - 28/02/2024 22:04:57    2528860

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "Who exactly do the provincial championships get a lot of bad press from?"
RTE and the national print media. Also some of the modern day click bait online media. A tiered provincial championship will sort all that out.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8242 - 29/02/2024 02:21:00    2528870

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "Who exactly do the provincial championships get a lot of bad press from?"
The GAA pundits and media in general continually talk down the football provincial championship for being 1 sided and predictable.Contrast that with rugby pundits and the media constantly overblowing their game even the many 1 sided games which get analysed to death and get painted as great contests. A bit more positivity from GAA media to our game's would help a lot.

updwell (Limerick) - Posts: 838 - 29/02/2024 07:10:03    2528873

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Replying To legendzxix:  "RTE and the national print media. Also some of the modern day click bait online media. A tiered provincial championship will sort all that out."
A tiered provincial championship will stop clickbait media posting negative stories about the provincial championship! I'm fairly convinced you're trolling now and/or you want to watch an elite football competition in your sitting room and let the so-called weaker counties standard drop so low that their intercounty players will lose interest.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7620 - 29/02/2024 08:10:29    2528879

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Replying To updwell:  "The GAA pundits and media in general continually talk down the football provincial championship for being 1 sided and predictable.Contrast that with rugby pundits and the media constantly overblowing their game even the many 1 sided games which get analysed to death and get painted as great contests. A bit more positivity from GAA media to our game's would help a lot."
Agreed that media promote negativity but most loyal supporters wouldn't agree. I think there's more good provincial games than bad ones and clickbait media love to hype up the negativity. Not every provincial game is against Dublin or Kerry. If it's not a high scoring game they'll call it a borefest, some reporter that's never been at a game. Should try provincial championship within the league calendar and no route for provincial finalist to All Ireland. All Ireland based on league finishes and all teams finish the same weeked. No league finals and no staggered entry to All Ireland because of uneven Proviclncial Championship. And the IRFU are very good at marketing their games. Rather than learn from how they do it maybe we're s bit shy to promote the GAA. I think there's club members much better at getting publicity for games and events they run than the top brass. And top brass seem more interested in promoting elite counties for TV games, an extra layer of league games late in the championship, to sell more TV games. And forget about so-called weaker counties who have very little to play for. Interest in hurling is dropping in weaker countues. Hopefully that won't hapoen to Gaelic Football.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7620 - 29/02/2024 08:37:52    2528882

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "A tiered provincial championship will stop clickbait media posting negative stories about the provincial championship! I'm fairly convinced you're trolling now and/or you want to watch an elite football competition in your sitting room and let the so-called weaker counties standard drop so low that their intercounty players will lose interest."
All county championships have a standard. Provincial championships don't. There could be a place for some standard, even if that is the top two-thirds of provinces competing in Provincial Tier 1 and the remaining third in a provincial Tier 2. That breakdown is Ulster 6, Leinster 8, Munster 4 and Connacht 4.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8242 - 29/02/2024 11:37:49    2528916

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Replying To legendzxix:  "All county championships have a standard. Provincial championships don't. There could be a place for some standard, even if that is the top two-thirds of provinces competing in Provincial Tier 1 and the remaining third in a provincial Tier 2. That breakdown is Ulster 6, Leinster 8, Munster 4 and Connacht 4."
Would this be a facelift:

Provincial SFCs
- The South American 'Copa America' and the North/Central American (CONCACAF) 'Gold Cup' international soccer tournaments regularly have 'guest' teams participating.

The GAA could consider a similar approach to enhance the Provincial SFCs:
- Each province's 'top 4' could initially play 'double chance' Preliminary SFs - with two winners advancing to their 'own/home' Provincial SFs and two losers switching as 'guests' to neighbouring Provincial QFs (one loser to a different neighbour).
- All other 'non top 4' teams compete for two remaining 'own province' QF berths in their respective provinces.

So, for example, the Leinster and Connacht Championships could be enhanced with the inclusion of an Ulster team in each; while Munster could potentially welcome one of Connacht's 'Big 3'.

With only eight teams guesting, provincial integrity is somewhat maintained as all 25 others (including New York) exclusively contest their 'own' province only.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2849 - 29/02/2024 17:41:58    2528965

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Replying To omahant:  "Would this be a facelift:

Provincial SFCs
- The South American 'Copa America' and the North/Central American (CONCACAF) 'Gold Cup' international soccer tournaments regularly have 'guest' teams participating.

The GAA could consider a similar approach to enhance the Provincial SFCs:
- Each province's 'top 4' could initially play 'double chance' Preliminary SFs - with two winners advancing to their 'own/home' Provincial SFs and two losers switching as 'guests' to neighbouring Provincial QFs (one loser to a different neighbour).
- All other 'non top 4' teams compete for two remaining 'own province' QF berths in their respective provinces.

So, for example, the Leinster and Connacht Championships could be enhanced with the inclusion of an Ulster team in each; while Munster could potentially welcome one of Connacht's 'Big 3'.

With only eight teams guesting, provincial integrity is somewhat maintained as all 25 others (including New York) exclusively contest their 'own' province only."
https://hoganstand.com/Forum/FindPost?MessageID=2528872

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8242 - 01/03/2024 00:56:59    2529003

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ULSTER SEMI-FINALS
Down/Antrim v Fermanagh/Armagh
Derry/Donegal v Tyrone/Monaghan/Cavan
LEINSTER SEMI-FINALS
Kildare/Westmeath/Wicklow v Louth/Carlow/Wexford
Dublin/Longford/Meath v Offaly/Laois
MUNSTER SEMI-FINALS
Clare v Tipperary/Waterford
Kerry v Limerick/Cork
CONNACHT SEMI-FINALS
New York/Mayo v Roscommon
Sligo/Leitrim v London/Galway
DIVISION 2 RELEGATION
Kildare and Fermanagh are heading for the Tailteann Cup after relegation from Division 2. Kildare will probably have to beat Westmeath and Louth to make the Leinster final. Not beyond them but hard to see after their disappointing league. Fermanagh will have to beat Armagh and Down to make the Ulster final. Armagh will be hot favourites on that side of the draw.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8242 - 23/03/2024 22:12:22    2532948

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Clare have missed out on promotion from Division 3. Clare will take on Tipperary or Waterford for a place in the Munster final. One of Clare, Tipperary or Waterford will qualify for the All-Ireland instead of a Division 3 finalist.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8242 - 24/03/2024 18:02:50    2533218

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Clare have missed out on promotion from Division 3. Clare will take on Tipperary or Waterford for a place in the Munster final. One of Clare, Tipperary or Waterford will qualify for the All-Ireland instead of a Division 3 finalist."
If that is true it has got to be Clare.


Unfortunately Waterford are very poor and Tipp are not near the level they were a few years ago.

Clare, on the other hand have been operating at a higher level and should reach the final easily.

joeman123 (Leitrim) - Posts: 504 - 26/03/2024 17:40:45    2533951

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Replying To joeman123:  "If that is true it has got to be Clare.


Unfortunately Waterford are very poor and Tipp are not near the level they were a few years ago.

Clare, on the other hand have been operating at a higher level and should reach the final easily."
Hey, if Cork turned it around in the 2024 league, you don't fancy a 2020 Munster Champs repeat?

I agree - NO - it's Clare for sure.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2849 - 26/03/2024 18:35:29    2533964

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Replying To legendzxix:  "ULSTER SEMI-FINALS
Down/Antrim v Fermanagh/Armagh
Derry/Donegal v Tyrone/Monaghan/Cavan
LEINSTER SEMI-FINALS
Kildare/Westmeath/Wicklow v Louth/Carlow/Wexford
Dublin/Longford/Meath v Offaly/Laois
MUNSTER SEMI-FINALS
Clare v Tipperary/Waterford
Kerry v Limerick/Cork
CONNACHT SEMI-FINALS
New York/Mayo v Roscommon
Sligo/Leitrim v London/Galway
DIVISION 2 RELEGATION
Kildare and Fermanagh are heading for the Tailteann Cup after relegation from Division 2. Kildare will probably have to beat Westmeath and Louth to make the Leinster final. Not beyond them but hard to see after their disappointing league. Fermanagh will have to beat Armagh and Down to make the Ulster final. Armagh will be hot favourites on that side of the draw."
Just for fun, applying those draws to my "guest" idea:

Prov Prelim SFs
Ulster (one loser to Connacht & one to Leinster)
Armagh v Down
Derry v Donegal

Leinster (one loser to Ulster & one to Munster)
Dublin v Louth
Meath v Westmeath

Connacht (one loser to Ulster & one to Munster)
Mayo v Roscommon
Galway v Sligo

Munster (one loser to Connacht & one to Leinster)
Kerry v Cork
Clare v Tipperary

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2849 - 27/03/2024 22:56:31    2534207

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