I'm not against running provincial championships separate from the All-Ireland series. When two qualifier rounds can be run in parallel with the provincial semi-finals and finals leaving a Round of 16, there is an argument for it with 50% representation from each province.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7888 - 24/07/2015 13:58:49    1758428

Ulster QF: Derry 0-12 Down 0-11
Qualifier R1: Wexford 2-16 Down 2-11

Ulster QF: Armagh 0-08 Donegal 2-11
Qualifier R1: Armagh 2-17 Wicklow 2-07
Qualifier R2: Armagh 0-12 Galway 1-12

Ulster QF: Derry 0-12 Down 0-11
Ulster SF: Derry 0-10 Donegal 1-09
Qualifier R2: Derry 1-16 Wexford 0-10
Qualifier R3: Galway 1-11 Derry 0-08

Connaught Preliminary: New York 0-08 Galway 2-18
Connaught QF: Galway 1-13 Leitrim 0-08
Connaught SF: Galway 2-08 Mayo 1-15
Qualifier R2: Armagh 0-12 Galway 1-12
Qualifier R3: Galway 1-11 Derry 0-08

Is a competitive Ulster Championship really to blame for the exit of Down, Armagh and Derry from the championship? I'm all for fair comment. 2 Ulster counties start off in a preliminary round. 6 Leinster counties start off in a preliminary round.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7888 - 25/07/2015 10:51:37    1758668

I would be inclined to think that if the ulster champions got a bye to the semis, and then lost, they would blame the long lay off and say its unfair.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 25/07/2015 16:09:51    1758765