Should the 16-team 1st Rd Qualifiers play for the Tommy Murphy Cup, with the assurance that the 12 losers in the first 2 rounds get a last chance in the Qualifiers, just like Prov SFlists ?
TMC plays 4 KO rds to determine the TMC champ who gains 'Side Door' entry to the AI QFs.
For better competition -put the weaker 8 in one half of the draw, contesting TM Shield and TMC final berth.
Losers of 8, 4 enter Qual Rds 2, 3 via the 3rd chance.
Prov SF 16 play 3 KO rds (SF, F and Champs Playoff) to get 2 'Front Door' AI QF berths.
Losers of 8, 4, 2 enter Qual Rds 2, 3, 4 via 2nd chance.
Qual rds above have team quantities of 16, 16, 16 and 10.
5 Rd 4 winners earns 5 'Back Door' AI QF berths.
28 teams guaranteed 3 matches above - the 4 others (Muns/Lein SF byes) could as well, if paired head-to-head in 2 two-legged SFs.
Qual Rd 1 (intra provl pairings); Rds 2, 4 (seeded); and Rd 3 (open draw).
General Restriction - All eligible pairings subject to a Max NFL Position Differential of 12, where possible, prior to AI QFs.
e.g. no Longf v Dub pairing prior to AI Last 8.

Does this address the 'fairness' issue while retaining the unequal prov quantities, while adding a Champs Rd, a competitive TMC and

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2590 - 29/08/2015 18:12:56    1777805

.......and the majority of AI QFlists coming through the Qualifiers, following the mix of seeded, open and restricted draws.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2590 - 29/08/2015 18:22:27    1777808

No.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 29/08/2015 18:34:39    1777811

This format guarantees the Muns champs a place in the 4th Rd Quals only - requiring them to beat another prov champ to earn an AI QF berth via the front door.
We could have had the Dub v Mayo matchup in July playing for 1 of 2 front door berths- with 5 back door and 1 side door berths giving all a fair chance, while preserving the lopsided prov championships that could be run off quicker and unchanged, while we await the exciting Rds 3 & 4 later on.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2590 - 01/09/2015 17:55:17    1780161