I have a lot of time for galway hurling lads.try not to be so sensitive.some good arguments here.im sticking to my guns though.galway teams have an unfair advantage and it needs to be addressed.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 20/03/2014 15:12:07    1562559

@westisbest - What makes you so sure Leinster counties apart from Kilkenny would want the Galway champions, U21 and Minor teams as well? Funny how you and cuederocket both claim to want a level playing field but neither of you have spoken in favour of the fairest option of all - open draw.

Ailteoir (Galway) - Posts: 899 - 20/03/2014 15:19:22    1562563

If an open draw is the most equitable format im good with that.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 20/03/2014 15:40:04    1562572

Galway people are good with an open draw too cuederocket so if you can swing that with the Leinster and Munster counties we will be right behind you! Mind you it won't stop Galway clubs winning AI's and then you will probably be saying the grass was too long on the "level playing field"! ;-)

tommy k (Galway) - Posts: 3470 - 20/03/2014 18:56:14    1562715

As a few posters have said already Portumna and any Galway champion will earn their place in the AL semi final.

Just look up the Galwaygaa website for their results. They had 1pt wins in both the 1/4 and 1/2 finals and the semi went to a replay with
Portumna only taking the lead in the 1/4 on 59 mins. They also lost in the group and went into the final game fighting for survival.

It all evens out some clubs will stroll through their county and only meet real tough opposition in the provincial stage. While here in Galway its the opposite. Also regardless of where you come from the Al semis are level pegging as everyone has a break over Christmas and everyone from January has a month to prepare.

I also agree the Galway Championship is a minefield. You have a 1/22 chance, 6 teams go into relegation and its probably the only one that begins with knockout hurling before shifting into a group stage for the teams who make it through and even at that you need 2/3 results to qualify to the 1/4's.

crossfieldball (Galway) - Posts: 650 - 20/03/2014 19:44:35    1562747

Are you saying Portumna only have a one in 22 chance of winning the co final crossfieldball? I don't think their odds to win would usually reflect a 1/22 chance. It's a good championship, but it's not as ultra competitive as you've painted it. A bit like the champions league, you find the same usual suspects in the last 8 and the last 4 every year.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4141 - 20/03/2014 19:57:42    1562760

Are you saying Portumna only have a one in 22 chance of winning the co final crossfieldball? I don't think their odds to win would usually reflect a 1/22 chance. It's a good championship, but it's not as ultra competitive as you've painted it. A bit like the champions league, you find the same usual suspects in the last 8 and the last 4 every year.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4141 - 20/03/2014 20:00:10    1562762

Tommy k,if that was the case and galway teams were winning all irelands in an open draw format or some other equally fair format i would say congratulations,without having this nagging doubt in my mind.heres hoping.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 20/03/2014 20:03:12    1562765

Galway are not to apologise for winning club finals. The GAA make up the championship structure. The main criteria is how to make money id say. The GAA can develop the club scene in other Connacht counties if they want to maintain the provential thing. Anyway, lets have an open draw or else Tesco will run out of tissues in Leinster. I'm sure MLR would have won an open draw scenario lol and congrats Portumna your #1

suckvalleypaddy (Galway) - Posts: 1736 - 20/03/2014 20:14:08    1562773

Pope Benedict,

Realistically Portumna probably have a 1/5 chance. Theoretically its 1/22 of course.

It do think it is ultra competitive actually. Almost ever game in round 1 this years is 50/50.

crossfieldball (Galway) - Posts: 650 - 20/03/2014 20:20:25    1562777

i have to say if the dublin county football or hurling champions got a bye straight to all ireland semi final id think it would be a disgrace.theres no pleasing everyone i guess.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 20/03/2014 20:20:27    1562778

or the tipp,cork,kilkenny,wexford,clare,waterford,offaly,limerick champions.it just wudnt be right.but hey,if u galway lads see no fault in the present system good luck to ye.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 20/03/2014 20:33:09    1562789

Cuederocket,

Lets make it equal with an open draw after the county stage, scrap the provincials and lets have an open draw.

So we have the Galway, Antrim, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Wexford, Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Clare, Waterford, Carlow, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Down, Kerry champions.

16 teams = round of 16 - Quarter Final - Semi Final - Final.

Between January and 17th of March there is ample time to play these games. There was a 5 week break between the semi's and the final this year.

crossfieldball (Galway) - Posts: 650 - 20/03/2014 20:36:01    1562790

its like barcelona winning la liga and getting a bye to champions league semi final.i wonder would uefa go for that?maybe if the president is a galway native.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 20/03/2014 20:37:51    1562793

Next thing you know the GAA will be giving some lucky county home advantage for their provincial matches, All Ireland semi and final........but hang on..... oh yeh they already do...

conordee (Galway) - Posts: 453 - 20/03/2014 20:38:16    1562795

try not veer from current topic condorman.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 20/03/2014 20:44:06    1562800

I don't think there should be an open draw just to suit us. We are happy, it appears, to stay excluded from Leinster so why should the rest break up their provincial championship.

Anyway, my point is that the current system is no good for Galway so I'm willing to try something different. If we don't, well them put up with it.

westisthebest (Galway) - Posts: 444 - 20/03/2014 20:46:10    1562802

yes crossfieldball that looks a good proposal but i thinkn we both know the provinces wont go for that.the solution has to lie somewhere in fitting galway and ulster/antrim champions into munster/leinster i feel.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 20/03/2014 20:46:45    1562803

All of this debate is because of begrudging Portumna and Clarinbridge etc. their victories. If you had an open draw of all senior teams you would have two Galway teams in the final. MLR got a shot at the final because of the system that is in place, they would have no chance in an open draw. Munster clubs have not won in ages I see. Maybe Galway can play there to give them a hand.

maroondiesel (Mayo) - Posts: 1226 - 20/03/2014 20:58:13    1562808

Cuederocket,

Your taking a cheap shot at Galway hurling for something that is really out of our control. Our clubs have their designated path to the finals and should they conquer that path they deserve the title of All Ireland Champions.

These competitions are based on an ideology which exists in the GAA and has been set in stone long before you or I were around and that is the Provincial Championships. I agree they have probably run there course but by shear principal and historical importance it will be almost impossible to see them replaced with an alternative system.

Under this system Galway are in Connacht, it is not our fault that we are the only tenable hurling county in the west. But under this system we have to go fourth to the semi finals as the Connacht representative, a title which is handed to us as their is no other club in the province at a level to compete with our clubs.

crossfieldball (Galway) - Posts: 650 - 20/03/2014 20:59:57    1562809