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That's a fair criticism. I don't have the answer for that close to the current system. If I'd more flexibility I'd change a few things. National league would be February and March but unlinked from the All Ireland. Provincial to All Ireland club championship would be played in this window. NFL would be purely a preparation tournament again. April would be the start of the Provincials. I'd have the All Ireland as 3 tiers. 2 groups of 6 for the Sam Maguire, 2 groups of 5 in the other tiers. The Bottom 2 tiers can start the weekend of the Ulster/Leinster finals as there will be byes anyway. In each tier top of group goes straight to the semifinal with 2nd and 3rd placed teams going to the quarterfinals. The All Ireland final would be played on the 2nd Sunday in August but it'd be fine for club action because the Provincial club championships don't have to be facilitated before year end. Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4697 - 05/06/2026 12:31:45 2678112 Link 0 |
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No its not relevant. It never has been relevant. We have a provincial system and it has served us well. Our GAA culture is built on it for both club and county. You know this but your prejudice does not allow you to recognise that.
Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 541 - 05/06/2026 12:40:57 2678114 Link 0 |
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I've tried to float the following idea before: legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9785 - 05/06/2026 12:50:31 2678117 Link 0 |
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... legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9785 - 05/06/2026 12:59:17 2678122 Link 0 |
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Number of games to win a provincial is not irrelevant. More games in Ulster than in Connacht or Munster and a better standard overall. Similarly more games in Leinster, currently lower standard overall than Ulster, but with Dublin's level dropping a bit it's more competitive. But this year it's arguably better not to reach a provincial final and have a 5 week gap to an away game in the All Ireland qualifiers, than reach a provincial final and the benefit of a home draw isn't so good against a more rested and prepared team. Depends on the tean's plans for the year and also how they value a provincial win.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8605 - 05/06/2026 13:11:28 2678128 Link 0 |
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No need to shut up as they are not complaining!
omahant (USA) - Posts: 3442 - 05/06/2026 13:25:50 2678131 Link 0 |
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I think that the reality is that those who decide on format recognise the importance of the Provincial Championships and have always built their All ireland structure around same and continue to recognise performance in them. They also continue to treat all 4 equally and haven't allowed any bias influence that process. The current system also recognises league performance plus caters for a two tier system which is also good. The reality for any county is that the path of least resistance to an All Ireland final is to keep winning Championship matches and that's as it should be. I dont believe that they will bin the current system. Not for a few years anyway. They will tweak it though and one of those tweaks will be differentiating between winning and losing a Provincial final and the timing of that first round draw. They may go further and seed the league teams too but the first part will definitely be fixed quickly imo. As it stands if you get to a Provincial finsl and win your home game in round 1 you are one win away from a CP appearance. Thats the prize for winning /reaching a Provincial final. That applies to all 4 provinces. You can complain about Kerry all you want but Donegal are in that position now (aa are tyrone) because they beat the provincial winners so the system has proven itself in that regard also. Kerry got the advantage due to them and Donegal took it from them. Thats how the system should work. Tidy up the anomolies and lets see where this brings us. Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 541 - 05/06/2026 13:28:48 2678133 Link 0 |
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... legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9785 - 05/06/2026 13:52:16 2678145 Link 0 |
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Yes, definitely better than over rewarding counties, that have done very little to reach a certain point. If nothing is done, a natural separation will formulate, and 'busier' counties will choose their preferred route. If they haven't already......
Expertinall (UK) - Posts: 142 - 05/06/2026 13:57:22 2678148 Link 0 |
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It is wrong that provincial runners up can earn guarantee of a home game by winning 1 match. That part has to be sorted out. Taking a step back: Seed 1 - provincial winners Seed 2 - provincial runners-up, acknowledging fair complaints about that. Seed 3 - league qualifiers 1 to 4, e.g. Donegal, Mayo, Meath and Louth. Seed 4 - league qualifiers 5 to 8, e.g. Derry, Tyrone, Cavan and Kildare. 4 of 7 league qualifiers this year were from Ulster. The league qualifiers are doing what they are designed to do and Ulster is benefitting. Drawing Seed 1 at home to Seed 4 rewards winning the province. Drawing Seed 2 v Seed 3 with separate draw for home advantage puts provincial runners up on a potential tough away trip and takes away overly rewarding provincial runners up. Kerry came from behind at half time in the Munster final. Had the result not gone Kerry's way - drawing a Seed 3 like Donegal away could be the jeopardy. Donegal are being rewarded in that scenario for qualifying through the league and getting home advantage by luck of the draw for being in the top 4 of the 8 league qualifiers. This helps to smooth out the imbalances that are there. Example Round 1 Seed 1 home v Seed 4: ARMAGH v Derry KERRY v Kildare WESTMEATH v Cavan ROSCOMMON v Tyrone - Seed 1 at home v Seed 4 not a gimme as seen in this example but that's the way the cookie crumbles. Seed 2 v Seed 3 with home advantage by luck of the draw: Donegal v CORK MONAGHAN v Mayo Meath v GALWAY DUBLIN v Louth legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9785 - 05/06/2026 17:06:55 2678210 Link 0 |
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You are just not going to acknowledge the fact the provincials are not equal and giving the same advantage for winning massively different comps is unfair.
JimB1991 (Donegal) - Posts: 191 - 05/06/2026 17:22:35 2678212 Link 1 |