Hey ! I'm the obsessive one on thix topic. It seems this thread creator is becoming more prolific and challenging my leadership position :)
Seriously, I would rather see the Prov championships retained, and with a weaker link to the AI, rather than no link at all. I think as a stand alone, they would lose significance. To bring the link to the weakest point and maximize 'open draw' pairings in thd AI, why not try this this 'Super 8' idea - 1) 8 Prov Finalists, with 24-team Qual Rd 1. 2) 'The 8' play 3 rds - only unbeaten team to AI SFs. 3) Losing teams in quantities of 4, 2 & 1 - go to Qual Rds 2, 3 & AI QFs, with quantities of 16, 10 & 6. 4) 3 QF winners complete the AI field. 5) 8 Rd 2 losers compete for Tommy Murphy Cup.
To Administrator - pls do not use prior version - typos fixed
I think my recent 'Double 16' idea is best - 1) 16 in Prov SFs - play 3 more KO rds - 2 earn AI QF berths via the front door - losers of 8, 4, 2 to Qual Rds 2, 3, 4. 2) 16 in Qual Rd 1 - play 4 more KO rds for TMC- champ earns 1 AI QF berth via side door - early losers of 8, 4 to Qual Rds 2,3. 3) Qual Rds 1 to 4 from above - with quantities of 16, 16, 16 & 10 - 5 Rd 4 back door winners complete AI QF field. 4) 28 teams above get min 3 matches (incl 3rd chance for Qual Rd 1 losers) - 4 remaining Muns/Conn SF byes play 2 head-to-head '2 legged SFs' to ensure min 3 matches as well. 5) The various rds could have a mix of Open, Seeded, Intra/ Inter Prov pairings to ensure competitiveness and excitement.
Htaem youre right. When I said champions league format I should have mentioned that each team just plays each other once, so yeah the world cup would be clearly the best analogy to use. Yew tree, maybe play the provincials alongside the all new wrold cup style all Ireland, as two separate competitions, like say the pro 12 and the champions cup.