In an eight team league table is 2 up 2 down too much. I would suggest that the second last team in div one play the second team in div 2 for the right to play div one football the following season and the same for the other divisions. In a seven game league where if a team is unlucky they can have 4 away games and only 3 home games it would give and extra chance to save your bacon if you are second last. Also if you look at the leagues a lot of teams go up and straight down again, it would make the divisions that bit stronger. It would also do away with those facile lower division finals and instead have a proper competitive game with the winner takes all. Top team in each of the lower divisions be declared divisional champs and rightly so

giveballaghback (Roscommon) - Posts: 296 - 14/03/2015 13:40:42    1702502

I'd rather see a 12-12-8 structure for Divs 1, 2 and 3. I'd split the 12s into equal 2 equal strength groups of 6.
All 32 teams plays a 6-match league schedule - 3 at home and 3 away - with each team in groups 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B playing 1 group opponent of near strength both home and away.
In Div 3, the 8 teams could avoid 1 opponent of equal strength.
I'd have 2 up from 2A and 2B - 2 down from 1A and 1B ; with 2 up from Div 3 - 1 down 2A and 2B.
Only playoff - Div 1 final between top of Divs 1A and 1B.

I like the ebb and flo between divs - so if we keep the existing 4x8/9, I'd have 3 up/down Divs 1 and 2; and Divs 2 and 3; but 2 up/down between Divs 3 and 4.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2570 - 14/03/2015 15:27:05    1702533

Or the 6s, simply play the 6 of the 'other' group.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2570 - 14/03/2015 15:34:35    1702541

One down and one up automatically, the team second bottom of div 1 plays the team second top of div 2 for the right to play div 1 football the following year.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 14/03/2015 15:55:12    1702549

I like that idea giveballackback I have to say . Think it is very fair and would add more competitiveness to the league . Would also give newly promoted teams a better chance to build long term as:
1) To get promotion in the first place you would need be the significantly better team in the division .
2) Once promoted you would have a better chance of staying up and develop as a team .

Hardtimes (Cavan) - Posts: 1056 - 14/03/2015 17:01:45    1702564

I agree with this idea now.

tyroneed (Tyrone) - Posts: 753 - 15/03/2015 20:30:08    1703075

Whatever about two up two down, i think having semi finals is a waste of time in a league of only eight teams, a waste of a weekend if you ask me. same in the hurling with the quarter finals.

fergie (Carlow) - Posts: 1115 - 15/03/2015 20:45:11    1703091

Good suggestion giveballaghback

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1415 - 15/03/2015 21:44:57    1703154

Brilliant idea. Does away with the pointless division 2 3 and 4 finals that are nothing more then overhyped challenge matches on the night

PoppinPoints (Meath) - Posts: 225 - 15/03/2015 21:59:37    1703162