To Slayer -
Or, the Top 4 counties play in both Muns and Lein, with all non-Top 4 in the Qualifiers.
2 Qualifiers join the 2 Prov Champs in the AI SFs.
If Mexico and Jamaica can participate in both the Copa America and CONCACAF, why can't hurling do the same ?

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2621 - 29/08/2015 15:18:21    1777759

The 5-week layoff is just an excuse. Tipp had the ball in the net in the first minute, they led 1-2 to 0-1 early on and they led many times throughout the game, including when they went a point up with just a couple of minutes to go, so clearly they were not in any way "rusty" or "gone off the boil" due to the layoff. Galway's winner came deep in injury time and they probably got a few more lucky breaks on the day than Tipp. If Munster counties truly believe this nonsense idea that it is a disadvantage to win their provincial championship, then they should start advocating for an open draw instead of droning on about the sacredness of the Munster championship.

Gaillimh_Abu (Galway) - Posts: 996 - 29/08/2015 16:40:37    1777779

Munster need to sort out their own championship first and foremost. For instance in 2015 the preliminary round was played on May 24, the winners didn't play again until June 21st in the second semi final. The other semi final was played on Jun 7th. The final was played July 12th. Therefore all the Munster teams should be well used to managing big gaps between games! Leinster give one team a bye into the semi final while Munster give three teams a bye!

Munster also messed up Cork footballers with only having one week between the Munster final replay and the Kildare game. Seems pretty obvious that the Munster Council need to get their own house in order before moaning about what is fixed at National level. Kerry are well able to manage no matter what way they progress, perhaps the other teams in hurling and footbal are just not good enough anyway!

westisthebest (Galway) - Posts: 444 - 29/08/2015 16:54:15    1777783

5 weeks is nothing - Ulster champions have had an 11year break to the 1/4 final and counting.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 29/08/2015 17:39:54    1777789

At the end of the day Tipp lost by one point to Galway, so it's ludicrous blaming a five week lay off, it's not as if they were beaten out the gate, although there is another argument that had it not been for Seamus Callinan they may well have been. The fact of the matter is that Provincial Championships means very little anymore, do Kilkenny care how many Leinster Championships they have, likewise for Dublin in football, and again for Kerry in the Munster Championship. We are all sick of hearing about this precious, sacred mythical Munster Hurling Championship, seriously does it really matter one bit at the end of the day that you won the Munster Championship, if you don't go all the way and win the All Ireland? The provincial championships are a means to an end, and nothing else. However on the basis that there are far too many dyed in the wool hardliners who will never allow their precious Munster Championship to be changed or got rid of, just bring back in four All Ireland quarter finals.

gilly0512 (Galway) - Posts: 1176 - 29/08/2015 17:51:46    1777791

Offside_Rule
County: Antrim

Do you think the Ulster champions should get a quarter-final spot? I mean, from Antrims point of view, do you think it would be better for them to just compete in an Ulster championship that was part of the AI series, rather than the Leinster championship? Its an idea, but I'm not sure how it would affect the Ring/Rackard/Meaghar cups, if you had all Ulster teams competing in the Ulster SHC as well

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 29/08/2015 17:52:27    1777792

I do Marlon. I know people will think that's crazy but I think since they started tinkering with the Hurling Championship back in 96 that we have gone backwards. Prior to this the Ulster Championship gave us more or less a semi spot every year and then you were two games away from Liam. While it was never achieved by ourselves I still believe that knowledge of an All Ireland semi in Croke Park gave our club players that hope or ambition to play for the County where now the world and her mother know the difficulties we have in getting our best club hurlers playing in the Saffron. Of course it's not the sole reason for where we are now but I do believe it was a contributing factor.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 29/08/2015 18:01:35    1777802

Get over it munster. we have the same. And it has'st made any difference to us. MAYBE ITS THE LACK OF ALL IRELANDS YE NOT ABLE TO WIN DOWN THERE. THATS GETTING TO YE.

hogan35 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 93 - 29/08/2015 18:13:57    1777806

Yeah, the more I think about it, getting the Ulster SHC back into the AI series proper might be a shot in the arm for Ulster hurling. If all counties competing knew there was a AI quarter-final place at stake for the winners, it might give a new focus to Ulster hurling. The only thing is, what would happen to the Ring/Rackard/Meaghar cups? If Derry, Down, Armagh etc were playing the AI series/top tier, via the Ulster SHC, they couldn't really play in the Ring/Rackard/Meaghar cups. You also have to look at it from a capability and merit perspective, to be fair, it would probably be an easier path to a quarter-final than any other team has. But that said, I think its worth considering, and might be a better option for Ulster hurling than a provincial team.

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 29/08/2015 21:59:06    1777858