I read this on another forum and it got me thinking on a new championship football format based on the European Championship. I know this is done to the death but here is my format. I am basing this on League seedings. Division one and division two teams automatically qualify for the championship. This brings 16 teams with 8 places left. Division three and division four teams play off for the remaining 8 places. I would put all 16 teams in one hat. It is an open draw. So a div 3 team could play a div 3 team and so on. The eight winners from the play offs would qualify for the championship. The eight losers go into a second tier competition. There would be two groups with four teams in each group. Top two go in to the semi-finals. In the championship there would be 6 groups with 4 teams in each group. The top two from each group goes through with the two best third place teams. There would be 14 teams in the knockout stage. The 14 teams play-off each other with 7 teams going through the quarter-finals. They would be joined by the winning team who has won the second tier competition. So from then on its a knock out till the final. Most counties would be getting 3-4 matches every year based on this format.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 27/06/2016 14:34:45    1872789

It's not a bad suggestion OLLIE, and while I do agree that Division 3/4 sides would benefit from a 2nd tier competition, I think this would only work if they still have a shot at All Ireland Glory, however unlikely that may seem.

I would like to see Ulster seeded based on the league, as we would see tighter Semi Final's more often and in tighter Quarter finals too.
I looked at Qualifiers 2B, and was shocked that Donegal/Monaghan, Mayo, Cork and Kildare could be the 4 teams in Round 3. I have long been in favour changing or refreshing the Qualifiers, as I feel they are both confusing and awkward.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 27/06/2016 15:36:36    1872839

You know what Ollie it's the first suggestion i have seen that looks like it could work.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 27/06/2016 15:49:55    1872858

I like it. I think people would be more comfortable with group stages.

I'd something similar that I liked, I think would make the competition more intense.

5 groups of 4.

Top in each group straight to QF.

2nd in each group plus B championship winner in playoff round to get final 3 quarterfinalist.

3rd place in each group plus B championship winner qualify for next year's NFL division 1 of 16 teams. 2 leagues of 8.

Other 16 teams play the division 2 NFL which also acts as the A championship qualifier. 4 teams join the division 1 teams to make the 20 team A championship.

The B championship is a 4 groups of 3 top 2 into QFs tournament.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4225 - 27/06/2016 19:31:22    1872999

Oh yes let's copy the very even euros formula are ye on cuckoo land?
Where England with guys earning hundreds of thousands a week play against Iceland players who work as post men bakers and videographers.
Iceland had a population only a fraction of England. It was more like manorhamilton v Dublin than what he already perceive as unfair in the gaa.

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 27/06/2016 23:03:50    1873082

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 28/06/2016 15:24:46    1873360

When the B Championship idea was prepared for congress, the GAA stated that the B Championship winner should not be entering into a more advanced round of the same year as they would have an easier route of progression.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7844 - 28/06/2016 20:35:31    1873535

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4225 - 28/06/2016 21:36:27    1873556

I like your suggestion Ollie. Very sensible and workable. It would make the early to middle stages of the championship interesting again instead of the borefest they have become for many GAA fans.

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1903 - 28/06/2016 22:04:46    1873575

TirChonaillAbu (Donegal) - Posts: 45 - 28/06/2016 22:40:59    1873589