royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 04/08/2016 12:57:29    1895403

Llaw_Gyffes (Mayo) - Posts: 1113 - 04/08/2016 12:57:45    1895404

No system will be perfect but at first look it looks good to me.

One thing though...instead of losing once and still being able to win the all-ireland you could lose 3 Times and still win it....

Imagine the "real all-ireland" threads on HS then....

RunOfThePigs (Donegal) - Posts: 131 - 04/08/2016 12:58:22    1895406

Only benefits the teams in the last 8 so will improve their quality but anyone outside the top 8 will fall further behind. It's a typical response from top brass in GAA who are not interested in the lower end of the scale and only in making more money for the Association. I can't see the other counties agreeing to this but the County Boards in weaker counties are doing a fantastic job of destroying the game so they will probably agree in return for some lovely magic beans

Darragh (Westmeath) - Posts: 301 - 04/08/2016 12:58:24    1895407

uibhfhaili1986 (Offaly) - Posts: 1296 - 04/08/2016 13:00:35    1895411

Surely a round robin at quarter final stage will only ensure that the stronger counties will emerge every year. Takes away the chance of a Tipperary beating a Mayo and landing in the semi final if they have to do it again the week after??

Mumbles115 (UK) - Posts: 2 - 04/08/2016 13:02:55    1895417

The big question to be asked is this proposal better than our current system?

I personally think any new proposal is hamstrung by having to keep the provincial championships but on first glance I think this proposal is at least worth a trial period.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13717 - 04/08/2016 13:05:52    1895419

I think it's interesting, although I didn't see a date or schedule for implementing the changes.

The home games element of it is fantastic, giving bigger games back to the regional venues is positive move.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 04/08/2016 13:07:50    1895423

More games means that there is no way that inter county players will be able to play club matches any more.

Goalie2016 (Mayo) - Posts: 36 - 04/08/2016 13:12:20    1895426

Can anyone explain how this could boost the club game?

realman2 (Kildare) - Posts: 464 - 04/08/2016 13:13:45    1895428

As one of many on here who have repeatedly said that the current setup had to change it is good to see.

It's a massive improvement on the current setup. I'd prefer to run the provincials as stand alone competitions but hey this proposal is streets ahead of current setup.

I presume the way it is announced that this is a done deal for next year.

tyroneed (Tyrone) - Posts: 753 - 04/08/2016 13:18:22    1895433

I believe they have missed the mark here. Clubs will not be happy with this and more will be squeezed out of players that already give too much for an amateur game.

I am from Connaught so I would consider it from the perspective of a Mayo player, for example.

Early January, quite early, you will be starting games in the FBD League for your County or perhaps College. That is one competition that will bring you up to the League. Then you'll have 7 games, maybe 8. That competition will bring you close enough to the Provincial Championship - here you either win your games (the number of which will be determined by the draw) to the Connaught Final or enter the knockout qualifiers - here you must win 4 games in a row to progress further.

Being successful either way you now enter the new group stage format, guaranteed 3 games (the third of which could be meaningless) but they should all be relatively tough.

Success in the new group league stage means you once again enter a knockout competition semi final and final to win the All Ireland.

To me that seems like an incredible ask, a grueling journey for an amateur player. A League, followed by a League, Knock-out / knock-out, League and Knock-Out again.

Now consider where does the Club feature in all of this? The same player will be under pressure to play most League and all Championship games for their Club. If their Club is successful they will play Provincial and All Ireland Club series. Now consider if that player is U21 ...

The cynic in me tells me the driving force here is for more bums on seats - what the more 'dramatic' 6 games of the group stage is really getting at. Squeezing more from the top players for entertainment/revenue. Those players will be utterly shattered.

It will be interesting to see what the GPA will say about this considering the the 'Demands on Inter-County Players' is an integral part of the framework of the agreement announced just last week ...

happyLarry51 (Mayo) - Posts: 1 - 04/08/2016 13:22:48    1895437

AHP (Dublin) - Posts: 323 - 04/08/2016 13:23:35    1895439

benjyyy (Donegal) - Posts: 1422 - 04/08/2016 13:29:11    1895445

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5016 - 04/08/2016 13:32:10    1895448

Looks interesting. Still, it's only a proposal. We will have to wait and see who votes for what when congress meets on it.

I like the idea of no drawn fixtures. It means that extra time will decide games. Most games that go to extra time are very exciting and provide a lot more entertainment than replays and a lot less hassle to boot.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 04/08/2016 13:35:48    1895453

I would question some of the advantages detailed in the GAA proposal. I see the whole concept as more aspirational than practical:

Advantages of proposed structure
1. It would provide a valuable enhancement of the championship by way of eight additional competitive matches contested by the country's eight best teams. The group games would increase interest at the peak of the GAA season and provide a much wider opportunity for the country's best teams to display their skills and the qualities of Gaelic football in summer playing conditions.
2. The new structure would provide a more exacting pathway to the All-Ireland final: the finalists will have had to compete with three of the best teams in the country at the group stage, followed by a semi-final with a top-four team that came through the same test. This will have the effect of ensuring that the finalists will have been equally tested and that the two best teams in the country contest the All-Ireland final.
3. Playing All-Ireland semi-finals over one weekend would generate greater excitement.
4. The new structure would retain the provincial championships in their present form and confirm their importance in the context of the All-Ireland championship.
5. All teams would continue to participate in the provincial championships and AllIreland qualifiers.
6. The new structure should bring an overall boost in championship attendances.
7. While income from the new group stage could be expected to exceed the gate receipts generated currently by the quarter-finals structure, it would be important to introduce a generous low-price ticket policy for supporters and families attending the group games.
8. The new structure should increase commercial and broadcast income from the AllIreland senior football championship. A significant proportion of this increase should be ring-fenced for development of our games in less successful counties.
9. The new structure would guarantee eight additional major games at venues within the provinces, which is particularly important in the context of the Association's investment in stadiums other than Croke Park. In addition, the playing of decisive matches of the championship in provincial venues would counter the Dublin-centred bias of the current structure. It would also be likely to bring top teams to provincial venues that they would never otherwise visit in the championship.
10. The traditionally less strong counties would be favoured by their being granted homevenue advantage in rounds one, two and three of the qualifiers. This would represent a significant benefit and encouragement to these counties and would provide themwith attractive home fixtures.

cillnaile. (Fermanagh) - Posts: 997 - 04/08/2016 13:36:18    1895454

Keeping provincial football, I give up.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 04/08/2016 13:41:55    1895458

One thought, with this system is there any real benefit to being a provincial Champion?

I mean would it not make more sense to give the provincial champions home advantage in the 2 matches outside Croke Park in recognition?

Also agree it virtually destroys the chance of a one off upset like Tipp managed last Sunday

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 04/08/2016 13:44:46    1895464

I really did not expect this and it may be far from perfect but it is a major improvement on what we currently have. The massive positive would be the round robin games being played at home venues, this would generate great excitement is towns around Ireland who are hosting them. It also levels out the playing field a bit for teams who have a tougher provincial campaign.

One concern I have is that there seems to be no proposed fixtures schedule with this, for example would the round robin games be played in 3 consecutive weeks? As posters have been saying, how does this benefit clubs? This proposal needs a serious fixtures calendar with it that caters for club games.

Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1876 - 04/08/2016 13:51:31    1895471