Just a proposal to improve the football championship. A small tweak that could make a big difference.

It's obvious to everyone that 2 of the provincial championships are dead, while the other 2 could do with a shakeup. So why not join 2 provinces together for the championship each year. Say Leinster/Ulster and Munster/Connacht together one year and it can be rotated each year. The following season would be Munster/ Leinster and Ulster/Connacht etc. Open draw each year. It would mean a fresh set of provincial fixtures each year, novel pairings and more competitive games. Something like Kildare versus Donegal in the first round or Kerry versus Mayo would be great. If so-called weaker counties get a favorable draw they could win a few matches and build momentum into a provincial quarter or semi-final. The competitions can be called maybe The North West Cup, South East Cup etc. You'd only be playing the same province every 3 years, so fixtures would be fresh and interesting. I'd certainly have more interest in the championship draw each year to see who we got. You'd also still have a good scattering of derby matches to create that local interest. The system of 2 strong provinces has done wonders for the hurling championship. Why not the same in football!

RightFull (Monaghan) - Posts: 74 - 05/10/2019 19:13:14    2241517

The GAA hierarchy want more games between the 'big' counties, Kerry, Mayo, Dublin etc. Two of them being drawn together in the first round of the Championship won't suit their agenda.

M Lyster (Antrim) - Posts: 461 - 05/10/2019 19:51:10    2241525

RightFull (Monaghan) - Posts: 74 - 05/10/2019 20:12:49    2241529

M Lyster (Antrim) - Posts: 461 - 05/10/2019 20:34:53    2241534

Wouldn't rotate it just have a Mun/Lein and
Ulster /Conn if your gonna rotate it might as well just do open draw

Breezy (Limerick) - Posts: 1236 - 05/10/2019 22:01:35    2241542

I just don't see the point in having Provincials at all if they're not just the current ones.

The Leinster hurling championship is really dumb also.

It's the not Munster championship not and for a while it was the not Munster but plus Kerry championship.

If there's a change it should just be to get rid of them completely.

I think it's what is likely to happen anyway.

The GAA's proposal will hopefully be shot down and the fixtures review committee are coming up with a proper 2 tier championship where all teams get more competitive fixtures.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4217 - 05/10/2019 23:39:44    2241554

Hawkeye9212 (Donegal) - Posts: 266 - 06/10/2019 12:01:55    2241582

The GAA would do a new 2 Conference style championship if it made more money, and there is no evidence of this. I would put Munster in with Ulster for the trial period. Winner of each Conference play in Final.

suckvalleypaddy (Galway) - Posts: 1669 - 06/10/2019 13:02:36    2241587

If they did do conferences it would be a good opportunity to split the championship into 2 levels.
Have 10 in each conference 2 groups of 5 with the rest in a B conference with groups and promotions for top teams

Breezy (Limerick) - Posts: 1236 - 06/10/2019 14:31:12    2241599

The natural split would be Connacht and Ulster (9+7)

The problem with that is you are combining the most competitive championships together and putting the two lopsided ones together so not solving the problem.

Alternative is West (Connacht plus Kerry, Clare, Limerick, Donegal, Cavan, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Derry, Tipperary

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1105 - 06/10/2019 18:04:26    2241633

Provincial Championships were orginally brought in to reduce the amount of travelling required back in the early days of the GAA. It made huge sense then.

But when you look at people complaining now some of the arguments are hard to be backed by.

Football. Munster was always a walk in the park for Kerry. Connuaght and Ulster are competitive but Sligo, Leitrim, Fermanagh etc will never be competitive.

Leinster has only been uncompetitive in the last 10 years.

In hurling the two provincial championships are competitive.

So if we change every my question is it for what reason??

Do we think we are in some sort of utopian society were we restructure and suddenly Wicklow, Leitrim, Fermanagh and Waterford are all of a sudden going to win Sam?

The Big 5 or 6 will always be the big 5 or 6, so the restructure is too give teams more games?

witnof (Dublin) - Posts: 1604 - 07/10/2019 09:47:18    2241725

This is farcical.

OGarmaile (Tyrone) - Posts: 248 - 07/10/2019 10:18:48    2241736

A Munster / Ulster amalgamation would likely be very poorly attended, given the distances required for fans to travel.

Kurt_Angle (Dublin) - Posts: 567 - 07/10/2019 15:43:26    2241864

I like the Ulster Championship - don't see why it should be scrapped. Clones on a hot day is the best of the GAA.

essmac (Tyrone) - Posts: 1141 - 07/10/2019 17:32:26    2241890

lionofludesch (Down) - Posts: 475 - 07/10/2019 19:05:48    2241911

How about a 'handicapped' Champions League ?
- Split each NFL div in 2 (div 1 as groups 1A 1B etc)
- After 3 group matches, all 32 make the Playoffs
- Top two divs (4 groups) get a Double Chance
- 1st hosts 4th and 2nd hosts 3rd when 1Av2A and 1Bv2B are paired up (8 matches)
- 8 winners host in KO Rd of 16; 8 losers host 8 Prelim Rd of 16 pairings
- Other 2 divs to a One Chance KO (1st h 4th, 2nd h 3rd when 3Av4A and 3Bv4B pair up (8 matches)
- 8 winners away in 8 KO Prelim Rd of 16 pairings;
8 losers are out
- Teams are seeded firstly on div (1 to 4), then on group points (0 to 6) and then scoring difference
- Teams are reseeded sequentially after each Rd to determine next rd (high v low seed etc - this should incentivise teams to seek promotion from their div/group)
- 2 Up (both group winners) / 2 Down (both group 4ths) between divs for the following year

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2580 - 08/10/2019 12:11:58    2242028

Or, handicap the existing Prov KO Draw ? -
Put all prior year Uls SF 4, Lein SF 4, Conn Final 2 and Muns Final 2 in the same half of this year's draw = allows others to make a break through.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2580 - 08/10/2019 12:19:37    2242032