Why not get back to the 'good old days' when the top teams in all four divisions qualified for the NFL knockout stage and compete for one title ?

I would have a 'Super 13' qualifying for the knockout - top 5, 3, 3 and 2 - from the four divisions, respectively - top 3 in Div 1 getting byes.

Also, 'three up / three down' between divisions would add to the excitement with new fresh division composition each year.

What do you think ?

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2637 - 05/02/2014 15:27:41    1541821

Sounds good. I like it. Cant see that happening though. Reckon the current league set up is here to stay for a while yet.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 05/02/2014 16:03:23    1541851

I would have two up and two down between each division. Top four from Div 1, Top 2 from Div 2, and top team from div 3 and div 4 play in the quarter finals: It would work out as

Top team in Div 1 play top team in Div 4
2nd team in Div 1 play top team in Div 3
3rd team in Div 1 play 2nd team in Div 2
4th team in Div 1 play top team in Div 2

Last year that would of worked out as:
Dublin v Limerick
Tyrone v Monaghan
Kildare v Westmeath
Mayo v Derry

A few tasty games there.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 05/02/2014 16:29:28    1541877

Ollie's description is 'exactly' what was in effect a few years back. What's good about Ollie's or my plan is that 'Less Successful' teams plays 7 games against similar strength opposition and then also get a crack at the big boys later on (and most likely, limited to one hammering).

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2637 - 05/02/2014 16:50:44    1541890

Omahant if you look at what the quarter-finals could of been in the last few years it throws up some matches:

2012:
Kerry v Fermanagh
Cork v Longford
Down v Kildare
Mayo v Tyrone

2011:
Dublin v Roscommon
Cork v Westmeath
Kerry v Laois
Down v Donegal

2010:
Mayo v Waterford
Cork v Antrim
Dublin v Armagh
Kerry v Down

2009:
Kerry v Antrim
Derry v Down
Galway v Cork
Mayo v Monaghan

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 05/02/2014 20:19:24    1542008

Some almighty hammerings for Division 4 teams there and not even the carrot of getting to play in Croke Park for the lower league sides either. Just a shellacking from a top tier side in some half empty neutral ground.

It's amazing how much people want to change competitions the whole time.

With the current 2 up, 2 down format, no needless autumn matches and the introduction of the qualifiers the league is more relevant than ever.

Going down to Cork for the weekend and looking forward to it.

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 05/02/2014 20:42:48    1542017

Ah lads, we have a championship! Let the league be league. As some teams have a home game less than others, having the top 2 in a final is enough. There wouldn't be any harm in a promotion/relegation play-off between 3rd bottom and 3rd top.

The league is preparation for the championship anyways. In division 1 three wins is a decent campaign. You'd want to be winning at least four in div 2, five in div 3 and six in div 4.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7902 - 05/02/2014 21:23:58    1542035

The League is insane, the majority of our inter-county games, the highest level that the game is played at are played out in a second tier competition in the most inclement time of the year. Not to mention that Division 1 of the League contains all the choice ties. To top it off, some genius decided that they would introduce semi-finals, meaning that a lot of games are pointless and it's no longer really a league.

Then we have the Championship - summer football, big crowds, the main show in town and we have to wait till the quarter-final stage to get real competitive games because of meaningless provincial qualifiers. Oh, and to top it off, after training for six months in rain and muck, you might only get two games.

Honestly, scrap the League, expand the Championship, guarantee every team a minimum of ten games, no replays, a fixed calendar that would no longer screw with club fixtures. It will happen some day but it might require a new generation at congress.

HighKing81 (Meath) - Posts: 129 - 06/02/2014 10:35:14    1542102

The changes hinted last year didn't suggest a move to expanding the championship before the summer months. If there was ever a group stage or championship expansion, it'd be early April at the earliest. As always, remember the clubs!

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7902 - 06/02/2014 15:02:44    1542264

legendzxix
...As always, remember the clubs!

That's exactly why I'm suggesting a closed season with fixed games, no replays, etc. because it wouldn't affect club fixtures.

Early April would indeed be a good date to start such an expanded championship.

HighKing81 (Meath) - Posts: 129 - 06/02/2014 18:00:12    1542398

While 8 teams per division gives an nice even number of teams in all 4 NFL divisions, I don't like the system as there is always 2 or 3 teams in Division 2 who people feel are Division 1 material.

Increase Division 1 to 10 teams, with final & semi final abolished. With 10 teams, there would be 9 rounds of games for all 10 teams. Top of table wins. Bottom 2 relegated.

DIVISION 1: 10 x teams, 9 rounds of games, 2 relegated, top of table wins league.

DIVISION 2: 8 x teams, 7 rounds of games, 2 up, 2 down as normal, League final for Division 2 championship.

DIVISION 3: 7 x teams, 6 rounds of games, 2 up, 2 down as normal, League final for Division 3 championship.

DIVISION 4: 7 x teams, 6 rounds of games, 2 up, League final for Division 4 championship.


Division 2, 3 and 4 League final's all played in Croke Park on the one day. 12 noon, 2pm, 4 pm.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 07/02/2014 12:39:57    1542705

unbelievable. why on earth should a div 4 team have a chance of winning the "league" totally absurd. the team that finishes top of Div 1 wins the league. End Of..

s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5518 - 07/02/2014 13:10:52    1542730

4 divisions is the best system with each time finding their level and only league one teams able to compete for the National League title. As we should see this season that should lead to not only a very competitive division one but also division two. Last few winners Dublin, Cork, Kerry etc show how seriously the league is now taken.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1780 - 07/02/2014 13:31:20    1542743

Leave the league as it. I

JP91 (Armagh) - Posts: 316 - 07/02/2014 14:08:05    1542772

Leave the league as it is. I think its working quite well and is a vast improvement on the previous format. Only thing I would change is to take-away the semi-finals in Division 1. Teams generally deserve to be in whatever league they are in. If there is Division One material in the 2nd Division they have to go out and proof it on the field.

JP91 (Armagh) - Posts: 316 - 07/02/2014 14:10:29    1542774

The FRC recommended scrapping the league semi-finals. Otherwise the league is fine. The only reason as mentioned earlier for a change would be if there was a move to expand the championship with groups.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7902 - 07/02/2014 18:20:03    1542915

If the league groups were to be used for championship expansion, I would like to see the lowest ranked from all four provinces form an Eight of their own -
With the top teams forming the other Three Eights -Lein 8, Uls 8, Muns 4 + Conn 4.
With prov champs from the Three Eights going to AI QFs and the Weak 4th Eight to last Qualifier Roumd of 10 teams, we have a more balanced championship.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2637 - 09/02/2014 17:23:18    1543613

You must be missing the other NFL season?!

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7902 - 09/02/2014 19:42:39    1543771

I am, but don't think it's feeding my GAA comments

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2637 - 10/02/2014 18:33:08    1544406

07/02/2014 13:10:52
s goldrick
County: Cavan
Posts: 2611

1542730
unbelievable. why on earth should a div 4 team have a chance of winning the "league" totally absurd. the team that finishes top of Div 1 wins the league. End Of..


Absurd is having a group of 8 (div 1) with semi finals. Div 4 teams have a chance of winning the All Ireland we all know they won't win it but at least they have a chance unlike the league! div 2,3,4 are pointless cups, for example nobody remembers who won them a few years ago.


The current league format is stale time to link the league with the championship IMO.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3359 - 10/02/2014 21:13:56    1544502