After an extensive review and consultation, the B championship is the only motion going to congress. Championship change has been a never ending discussion. There's has to be an acceptance of the reality of the situation.
I'd be in favour of a shortened league and provincial group stage. A former GAA president suggested something similar. It's not on the table. The idea didn't gain sufficient traction. Like other ideas that weren't accepted, there has to be an acceptance of it for what it is.
The GAA moves slowly. Integrating a B championship into the current structure will be a good first step. If there is an acceptance of having a top 24 in place, discussions can take place in the future on the format of that top 24.
The next primary focus needs to be on completing the All-Ireland club championships at the end of the calendar year. The inter county finals will probably have to move to August.
To be fair to the GAA I didn't particularly like any of the proposals on the table. Most of them were half-baked ideas. The best put together proposal was the GPAs champions league style proposal.
I didn't like it either, it provided more games but also had a lot of dead-rubbers in it. Having 3 teams qualify from a group of 4 was a bit drawn out.
I'm disappointed the GAA received feedback that players didn't want a B championship and then just ignored them to put forward this proposal.
I think the B championship could be detrimental for participation levels in weaker counties. I hope in a few weeks time when the vote has been held that there is no change in the system.
I do think it is important for championship structures to be discussed. The quality of competitions that we're providing our players with is hugely important it keeping interest up in our games.
If you were asked to vote on this motion legendzxix would you vote in favour of it, in spite of the overwhelming negativity of players and managers to the proposal? If yes, why do you hold the opinions of the players in such low regard?
You see players like Shane McNaughton and Neil McManus deciding to pursue other activities now that we've been relegated.
You'd be naive to believe that. Its strange that certain north Antrim rivals only sign on for the year when the others don't. The sooner some of our counties finest hurlers quit behaving like babies and watch how successful county players can leave their club feuds behind them for a greater cause, the sooner we can get back to were we should be. No disrespect to Kerry but if Antrim had their best hurlers available and playing as a team we wouldn't be in this division.
I think what is very telling that supporters of a second Tommy Murphy suggest having the final before an All Ireland semi final forget that this was already the case for the first Tommy Murphy, it shows the impact it had on its first run. Its also interesting to people talk about the success of the Christy Ring cup forget that none of the winners have made any impact in the Liam McCarty.
The previous Tommy Murphy Cup was a secondary competition end of. The suggestion this time is that the winner will participate in the qualifiers in the following season. It's setting a standard for the top 24.
In the hurling, Laois have moved from qualifier county to being seeded in the Leinster championship. Kerry have worked their way up from 2A and the Ring Cup. Both worked at their level and have moved up. It's not going to happen overnight.
The previous Tommy Murphy Cup was a secondary competition end of. The suggestion this time is that the winner will participate in the qualifiers in the following season. It's setting a standard for the top 24.
In the hurling, Laois have moved from qualifier county to being seeded in the Leinster championship. Kerry have worked their way up from 2A and the Ring Cup. Both worked at their level and have moved up. It's not going to happen overnight.
legendzxix Laois were not a christy Ring cup county, they and Kerry are probably at a similar rank to what the were before the ring andas far away from cats and tipp as the were back then. What reward is winning this competition by just getting into what the are already in as things stand. What difference is there between the 21st and the 27th team in the country very little I would say.
I support the call for a B championship. It's just my opinion. If the players and spectators of Division 4 counties are against the idea, I think they should be listened to. Now everyone has their own opinion. Listening to everyone and trying to find some balance between all options, I think provincial groups is one of the best options available;
Munster: 1 group of 6 teams Connaught: 1 group of 5 teams Leinster: 2 groups (6 teams and 5 teams) Ulster + London: 2 groups of 5 teams
Top 2 in Munster and Connaught into provincial finals. Top 2 in Ulster and Leinster into provincial semi-finals.
The 3rd placed teams in Ulster and the 3rd placed teams in Leinster should play-off.
All-Ireland Series: Qualifier Round 1: Losing provincial semi-finalists from Ulster and Leinster drawn against 4 3rd placed teams.
Quarter-finals: Provincial winners drawn against Round 2 winners.
Now I know everyone will not agree. There are many options and it is a never ending discussion.
Provincial championships are going to be retained. A dilution of how teams enter the All-Ireland series is unlikely to get through congress.
The above maintains provincial finals in all provinces. Leinster and Ulster due to 2 groups can even retain provincial semi-finals. The league would have to reduce from 7 regular league games to 5 regular league games like in hurling only without all the play-offs they have. All counties would be guaranteed at least 2 home championship games.
The players get the group games they are looking for. Many structures of the current championship are retained. Provincial winners are guaranteed an All-Ireland quarter-final spot in Croke Park. 3rd placed teams, losing provincial semi-finalists and finalists will have a qualifier route to make the quarter-finals.
In other words, there is Djokovic and the Big Four - which would you rather have ? You are too polite not to it that way Only one person gets this, I suppose.... :)