Raymond Galligan is in favour of playing the provincial championships earlier in the season.

The All-Star goalkeeper, who captained Cavan to their first Ulster SFC title in 18 years during the Covid-hit 2020, would like to see the provincials played before the start of the Allianz League which is now linked to the All-Ireland series.

"I think it's been well documented that the provincial championships are struggling somewhat in regards to the way that the All-Ireland series has panned out but I think it’s been very exciting," Galligan said during RTÉ’s coverage of the Tailteann Cup semi-finals.

"I would question the preliminary quarter-finals and also the pre-season competitions. We are playing four competitions in a very condensed season. Is there a need for the McKenna Cups and O’Byrne Cups going forward?

"Personally, I think we could end up watering down the All-Ireland championship if we were to eliminate the provincial championships.

"I think we could have the provincial championships as our first primary competition in February and making a festival of football on St Patrick’s weekend of the four provincial finals and then start our league.

"What has been shown this year is that the league is very important for the All-Ireland series. We had teams like Meath not knowing until the first or second round of the championship what they’re going to be in.

"If we make the league the way of seeding the All-Ireland series and the Tailteann Cup then one would flow into the other."

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