Marlon_JD. No, I maintain that the 1b teams, largely, do take the league seriously. They have to. Survival is dependant on it. They don't have the resources or strength in depth to expirement, like most of the 1a teams do.

The league is not taken seriously by the majority of 1a teams. So any changes to league structures would be meaningless and cosmetic. Unless of course there was a suggestion to exclude some from the top table. There would be loads of ideas then. All to maintain the status quo.

There are more fundamental issues around our national game that need addressing. But look, if you enjoy the current league structure, then, fine. Nothing wrong with that.

Glensboy (Antrim) - Posts: 290 - 22/07/2015 16:35:00    1757664

Glensboy
County: Antrim

You're not reading my posts. I said that was the point you were making. I also said I think that's wrong, and I think anyone who's watched both 1a and 1b hurling the last 2 years would agree. Who had to work harder to make the league quarter finals this year, Dublin or Limerick?

The reason I keep asking for your suggested changes, is because in your original post you said:

"The current structure benefits the teams in Div 1."

Why do you think the above statement is the case?

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 22/07/2015 16:44:32    1757670

"I didn't miss your point, you maintain 1a teams take the league less seriously that 1b teams. You're wrong.

But apart from that, what has any of this got to do with the current league structure? What structure change would address the problems that you perceive in the league?"

Nope, not directly what I said. I am saying that the elite counties having nothing in mind at the start of the league other than that being the beginning of their championship preparation. They can afford to do this because of the resources they have at their disposals. The majority of counties in 1b don't have that luxury. The top counties are happy for the current league structure to stay in place, as long as they don't face relegation. Think Cork. Kilkenny, for example, weren't bothered about the league but when needing a win they got it. If the current structure works for you, fine. It doesn't work for the betterment of the game. It would be nice to see some prominent names getting behind a real radical shake up of funding etc. This won't happen.
The elite county mentality does nothing for the development of the game. Changing the league structure will do nothing for

Glensboy (Antrim) - Posts: 290 - 23/07/2015 12:37:36    1757939

Ugh, this is getting pointless, but as my OCD has a more powerful grip these days:

Glensboy
County: Antrim
Nope, not directly what I said. I am saying that the elite counties having nothing in mind at the start of the league other than that being the beginning of their championship preparation. They can afford to do this because of the resources they have at their disposals.

So, you don't think Waterford, Limerick, and Wexford (1b) had the same aims at the start of the league as Cork, Galway, or Dublin (1A)? And which of those teams are elite counties, and which are not?

The majority of counties in 1b don't have that luxury.

So, you're saying the majority of counties in 1b are in the same boat. So how is the grouping in that tier unfair? If counties in the tier are on a similar level, is that not how a tiered league system should work? If the majority of teams in the tier have the same issues, then its competitive. It is a competition, its supposed to be competitive.

The top counties are happy for the current league structure to stay in place, as long as they don't face relegation. Think Cork. Kilkenny, for example, weren't bothered about the league but when needing a win they got it. If the current structure works for you, fine.

Ok, I'm thinking Cork. They got relegated to 1b in 2013.
And if you think Kilkenny weren't bothered about the league, you don't have a good grasp on the hurling landscape, and haven't been watching 1a the last few years. Kilkenny want to win everything, that's whats made them one of the greatest teams we've ever seen.

It doesn't work for the betterment of the game. It would be nice to see some prominent names getting behind a real radical shake up of funding etc. This won't happen. The elite county mentality does nothing for the development of the game. Changing the league structure will do nothing for

A pointless victim mentality doesn't do anything for the development of the game either. What is an 'elite county mentality'? If its a mentality that takes the game seriously, and pays it due respect, then every county should have that. Pointless talking about funding with the way some provincial boards, and most county boards, treat hurling. The only change worthwhile is having separate football and hurling boards in each county/province, with hurling delegates voting on hurling matters, and football delegates voting on football issues. THEN, you look at investment.

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 23/07/2015 16:42:00    1758114

Glensboy

I would say Wexford and limerick experimented a lot with their teams this year. Liam dunne used 40 players

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 2709 - 23/07/2015 18:06:20    1758155

I like the current league structure. It's great for Wexford/Limerick anyway. We get to try loads of players without ever being in danger of getting relegated and we almost certainly get an outing against a top team in a competition before the championship. When we're good enough to go up we'll go up.

To be honest the results that have been quoted are not typical. We can all admit it's been a poor hurling championship for all involved. None of the chasing pack have been overly impressive. Compare it to the previous 2 seasons of this format and it paints a much nicer picture. Limerick/Dublin/Cork won provincial championships from 1b. Wexford had a great run from 1b last year.

Hurling certainly needs action and there are problems but I don't think the current league format is one of them. If anything I'd say there's more pressure on 1a teams. If you don't bring your a game you get relegated it's so tight at the top.

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 2709 - 23/07/2015 18:15:33    1758158

Slayer - A bit of camogie thinking there - Prov round robins in league and repeated in championship.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2621 - 24/07/2015 21:35:30    1758609