Lads the open draw would only favour the big three. The great celebrations of rare provincial victories like Dublin and Limerick last year, Galway themselves in 2012, Wexford in 96 and Clare in 1995 were not just great occasions of celebration but a huge shot in the arm for the game in each of the counties involved. The Hurling world would be a much poorer place for the absence of these days.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4350 - 21/08/2014 21:30:17    1640230

I don't think there are enough competitive counties in hurling to justify an open draw. Also, dont underestimate the importance of local rivalries to the GAA. An open draw could mean Cork and Tipp,, for example, could go years without playing each other. I think the system is fine the way it is. Playing four weeks in a row is your punishment for not winning the province, alternatively, the more games the better for fans. Perhaps the 5 week layoff should be addressed though.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 23/08/2014 20:00:40    1640943

Galway have no opposition in Connacht. What's the GAA and the Connacht Council doing about that?
Antrim are isolated too in their attempt to keep hurling alive in their province. Again, a failure on behalf of the GAA to promote the game.
In Leinster Kilkenny have won every Bob O'Keeffe from 1998 to 2011 with the exception of one year. Take a look at what their minors have won too. At least with Galway's introduction in 09 and Dublin's emergence (Hurlings only real success story lately) some form of competition now exists.
The problem will remain however. An open draw won't happen, at senior level at least, as the provincial councils would then have to relinquish too much of their power. That's the real reason the provincial status quo remains. As long as its Tipp v Cork in "classic Munster finals" with the winners meeting Kilkenny in the AI Final for the forseeable (maybe with the odd interruption from one or two of the rest) it shall be deemed that all remains well in world as far as the powers that be are concerned.

Maroonatic (Galway) - Posts: 1060 - 24/08/2014 08:10:27    1640994

Maroonatic pretty much nailed it.Munster hurling championship mythology is holding back the promotion and development of hurling.

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 24/08/2014 11:05:46    1641026

I would have to agree with the Galway posters here, if the GAA persist with the present setup they will kill the game off.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4903 - 24/08/2014 12:14:08    1641045

Sadly Mattie Murphy is indicative of the backward thinking that is so prevalent in Galway hurling circles, some of these clowns would nearly prefer it if we went back to the old system of Galway going straight into an All Ireland semi final. How the GAA can stand over a system that allows Galway straight into an All Ireland semi final beggars belief, it is high time that all of the counties in Leinster sit down with Galway & the GAA hierarchy and work out a system where the Minors, U-21s and Club champions all go into Leinster, as well as organising a few games in Galway. However chances are the that the dyed in the wool idiots running Galway hurling would oppose this, so another option would be an open draw or Champions League style qualifier at Minor and U-21 level. Either way it's time for the Galway hurling hierarchy to wake up, as Galway are being left behind, and soon they will be like their neighbours in Mayo going fifty years plus without an All Ireland.

gilly0512 (Galway) - Posts: 1176 - 25/08/2014 12:19:56    1641607