I have an exciting idea for a new format for the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. It basically works like this. First of all, the previous year's All-Ireland semi-finalists play off with knockout games to reduce those four teams down to one. Then the winners join the other 20 teams from Divisions 1, 2 and 3, and these 21 teams are drawn in an open draw into three groups of seven teams. The teams in each group play each other, and then the top six in each group go into the group quarter-finals, with 2 of them getting byes into the semi-finals. The group quarter-final/semi-final draw will be an open draw. Eventually, there are three group winners, and these three group winners qualify for the All-Ireland semi-finals. Meanwhile, the Division 4 teams play in the revived Tommy Murphy Cup, and the winners of this are the fourth All-Ireland semi-finalists, who get the choice of home advantage or Croke Park for their semi-final.

Your thoughts?

Tacaí Liatroma (Leitrim) - Posts: 1029 - 01/04/2015 08:29:13    1709244

That's the best idea I idea ever heard. I suggest calling the new competition the Gerry Adams cup and the winners are presented with the trophy on April 1st.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 01/04/2015 09:15:14    1709261

Great Scott,I think that just might work. And also make Km and Tipp play one another in may . brilliant.

Dubh_linn (Dublin) - Posts: 2312 - 01/04/2015 09:20:24    1709264

In some respects the league is better than the championship. I'd love to see the league played in spring - summer. Retain the provincial championship with no second chance. Same as the Premier league and FA Cup accommodate each other. It frees up autumn and winter for the clubs.

crikey (Australia) - Posts: 355 - 01/04/2015 09:21:56    1709265

Also, are you familiar with how, in some of the early years, there was a "home" final, and the winners played London in the actual final proper? I propose we re-introduce this system, but with Kilkenny taking part in the final proper, in order to re-invigorate football in the predominantly hurling county.

Tacaí Liatroma (Leitrim) - Posts: 1029 - 01/04/2015 10:51:32    1709306

This is an April fool thing for sure. Crikey would that be Winter and Spring in Oz?

maroondiesel (Mayo) - Posts: 1196 - 01/04/2015 13:00:57    1709404

It is an April Fool thing? Hmmm... Let's find out: go to http://www.hoganstand.com/Forum/MessagePage.aspx?PageNumber=2&TopicID=90497 and look for a post of mine...! :D

Tacaí Liatroma (Leitrim) - Posts: 1029 - 01/04/2015 15:00:21    1709480