This argument that all Galway teams i.e. clubs and underage should be in Leinster has been done to death over the last number of years. The reality is the vast majority of the Leinster counties (apart from possibly KK) do not want that as it would make it much more difficult for the likes of their teams to win a provincial final. MLR is a good case in point - do you think if MLR had to face the likes of Portumna, St. Thomas's or Clarinbridge in the provincial rounds they would have won the Leinster Club this year? Highly unlikely and that is why they don't want Galway teams in Leinster. I think most Galway people would not have a problem with that but they should look for home games in Galway as a quid pro quo as Leinster teams have a distinct advantage at the moment in that regard. Bottom line is that the best teams win AI's and Galway clubs (and underage teams to certain extent) have been the best (by and large) in those championships. If it is as simplistic as winning 2 games to win AI's why weren't Galway senior intercounty teams winning the AI every year up to their inclusion in Leinster? The reason is they weren't good enough in one way or another e.g poor management, team selections, tactics, never say die intensity etc. Indeed it may be argued that having a provincial championship allowed teams to correct problem positions, tactics etc. in time for the AI semifinal - a luxury that Galway teams did not have.

tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3470 - 19/03/2014 13:48:33    1562054

Yes I too think that the Galway and Antrim champions should at least be made compete in Leinster, it is so antiquated for this not to be the case. Would also love the open draw for all involved.

Fair play to MLR, their story was a fairytale in all but the ending. They lost nothing in defeat and have certainly helped put Carlow hurling even more on the map. Now all they need is 10-20 clubs to replicate their effort. No doubt they will be back

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 19/03/2014 13:54:10    1562059

The Leinster teams don't want us? Really? Do Galway really want to be in Leinster? Not according to the county board it would seem. They're quite content to continue on this ridiculous course in the hope that we just might win the senior title someday. Face reality, the pool of talent doesn't exist. We are overrated and are participating in an unfair setup which is no good to us. If we think we are that good well then let's take on the Leinster teams on a level playing field. I have no doubt that our clubs would not come through a Leinster campaign and go on to win so many titles if it were a level playing field. And so be it. But at least we would know our true worth. The facts are staring us in the face. Wake up.

westisthebest (Galway) - Posts: 444 - 19/03/2014 14:31:55    1562073

Westisthebest, you have a funny poster name for someone that feels that Galway teams are way "overrated" and "the pool of talent doesn't exist"! This proposal was discussed by the Leinster counties a few years back and only KK were in favour of allowing all Galway teams to play in Leinster. I said most Galway people would be in favour of playing in Leinster but if the County Board don't want that, what power do we have or do you know a way around that?

tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3470 - 19/03/2014 16:25:44    1562114

westisbest has this spot on.changes have to be made to guarantee equity for all.theres no sensible argument against.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 19/03/2014 16:29:11    1562116

galway and ulster champions play munster and leinster runners up in quarter finals.or else galway and antrim join leinster.this ridiculous unfair advantage has to stop.all we want is a level playing field.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 19/03/2014 16:33:44    1562118

Personally, I think it is very unfair to insinuate that Galway have not merited their recent spate of club All Irelands, in particular, Portumna's achievements (four times in a decade is pretty conclusive). The reason for Galway joining Leinster at intercounty level was quite the reverse of the current argument. The truth of the matter is that club hurling is much more passionate in Galway than other counties, even to the extinct of affecting them at county level.

MiAmigaVERONICA (Clare) - Posts: 323 - 19/03/2014 16:49:50    1562124

Had Galway clubs been in the Leinster championship this year I would say it would be much more likely that the only silverware MLR would have won would have been the Carlow championship than anyone other than Portumna winning the All-Ireland. If there was an open draw then, again, the only silverware MLR would have won would have been the Carlow championship in all probability.
For people making this argument about it being easy as they have no provincial campaign, look at the football and the domination of Crossmaglen in football. Very little competition within the county, very strong provincial championship - more or less the opposite of Galway hurling clubs. What Crossmaglen and Galway hurling clubs do have in common is that they are both incredibly strong and both tend to dominate come March 17th. They should get the respect they deserve.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 19/03/2014 17:13:40    1562139

Soma that is complete rubbish. Up in Oulart they thought the same playing MLR and they finished up with their tail between their legs. Winter hurling suited MLR as they were a strong physical side and had they met Portumna in December/January I think they would have given them a better game of it.

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 19/03/2014 17:55:49    1562165

its an unequal format favouring galway teeams.i believe most posters agree with this from what im reading.theres no argument really.it needs to be fixed to give all teams a level playing field.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 19/03/2014 19:04:10    1562196

This may or may not be the case, Pinkie. At the end of the day it is just speculation. I would have loved to see MLR reach the pinnacle but alas it was not to be. Portumna, on the other hand, could do no more than beat what was in front of them on any given day (in the semi and final they are playing teams who have earned their oats as provincal champions). Hats off to MLR also. Up to the final they repeatedly defied the odds.

MiAmigaVERONICA (Clare) - Posts: 323 - 19/03/2014 19:18:06    1562207

And yes, Portumna did ride their luck at times this year, especially with the younger Canning lucky not to have been red-carded in the semi. But such is the nature of sport and Portumna did what they had to - be ahead at the final whistle of each game they played, regardless of whether dodgy refereeing decisions went their way or not.

MiAmigaVERONICA (Clare) - Posts: 323 - 19/03/2014 19:27:41    1562215

Even if Portumna were in Leinster or Munster this year, there is no doubt in my mind they would have won the All Ireland anyway. Putting Galway clubs into other provincial championships is just delaying the inevitable anyway, our club teams are currently the best in the country and who ever wins the Galway championship would (more than likely) win the All Ireland anyway.

We've had four different Galway champions in the last four years (Port, Gort, Thomas' and Clarnbridge) with three of them teams going onto win All Irelands, that tells us all we need to know.

ahsure. (Galway) - Posts: 1687 - 19/03/2014 19:29:11    1562217

Pinkie it is hardly rubbish to be fair - it is my opinion that Portumna team would probably beat that MLR team on any type of ground conditions you might choose, are you telling me this is definitely not the case? I think you are doing MLR a disservice by claiming they hurl best on winter pitches as well, I thought looking at the game Monday they were actually a smaller team than Portumna but looked inexperienced in how to deal with top teams.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 19/03/2014 19:31:18    1562219

whether galway teams would winn all irelands in lrinster or whatever is not the point.the fact is the format favours galway teams and needs to be addressed.a level playing field for all and good luck then to whoever wins.A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.has the penny dropped yet?

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 19/03/2014 19:40:10    1562222

For a level playing field cuederocket you will have to make sure that every county championship is of an equal quality. Afterall, it would be unfair for Portumna to be getting put to the pin of their collar for the entire summer while a club like Ballyboden cruise through their county championship 6 of the last 7 years, often winning games by huge scores. When you figure out how this can be sorted out, only then will the playing field be level.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 19/03/2014 19:49:27    1562227

dont agree at all.cork,kilkenny,tipperary,wexford etc.al are all hard to win.it is after the county championships that every team should have an equal run to winning an all ireland.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 19/03/2014 19:53:58    1562230

Galway did not create the system/championship that their clubs do well in. Sour grapes from the east are very unbecoming. You can change the rules structure to suit yourselves and we will comply with cap in hand. Forgive us for our sins. Time to begrudge trophies crossing the Shannon lol

suckvalleypaddy (Galway) - Posts: 1736 - 19/03/2014 20:14:53    1562246

I think the Galway championship more than compensates for any provincial championship, come down here, watch a few games and it'll tell you all you need to know

ahsure. (Galway) - Posts: 1687 - 19/03/2014 20:15:14    1562248

cuederocket
County: Dublin
Posts: 68

dont agree at all.cork,kilkenny,tipperary,wexford etc.al are all hard to win.it is after the county championships that every team should have an equal run to winning an all ireland.

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By that logic, the Munster club championship has an advantage over the Leinster championship as you'd have to play less games in Munster to get into the All Ireland Semi-Final... So if you want that magical level playing field of yours, are you suggesting that after a club wins a county final, we have an All Ireland series for all the county winners to ensure we have an "equal run to winning an All Ireland"?

ahsure. (Galway) - Posts: 1687 - 19/03/2014 20:21:24    1562250