Word has it that a draft master fixtures plan for next year sees the removal of the hurling quarter-finals. I'd imagine the hurling semi-finals will be as follows: 1st 1A v 1st 1B 2nd 1A v 3rd 1B
For consistency with other divisions they could just opt for a straight final featuring the top 2 from 1A. The top 2 from 1B could contest a divisional final with the winners being promoted.
Removing the quarter-finals might be the first step in that direction. If the league semi-finals are bringing crowds and money, they won't rush removing them for the sake of it.
Would be crazy having a league qf in light of the revised championship structure. Indeed it is hard to envisage much future for the national league due to the new championship structure. Next years league for the top teams with championship ambitions will be all shadow boxing and experimentation with teams not caring about winning it unless they "accidentally" find themselves in the final. Why bother trying when only a month or so later they will be playing the "real" league within the championship structure? 2018 might be a good time to back Kerry or Offaly to win the hurling league final!!!!
Replying To legendzxix: "Word has it that a draft master fixtures plan for next year sees the removal of the hurling quarter-finals. I'd imagine the hurling semi-finals will be as follows: 1st 1A v 1st 1B 2nd 1A v 3rd 1B
For consistency with other divisions they could just opt for a straight final featuring the top 2 from 1A. The top 2 from 1B could contest a divisional final with the winners being promoted.
Removing the quarter-finals might be the first step in that direction. If the league semi-finals are bringing crowds and money, they won't rush removing them for the sake of it."
Would it not be more likely to be like the following? 1st 1A v 1st 1B 2nd 1A v 3rd 1A
I would imagine if the quarter-finals are being done away with, the semi's will be the top 3 teams in 1A, and the winner of 1B
Replying To PoolSturgeon: "Would be crazy having a league qf in light of the revised championship structure. Indeed it is hard to envisage much future for the national league due to the new championship structure. Next years league for the top teams with championship ambitions will be all shadow boxing and experimentation with teams not caring about winning it unless they "accidentally" find themselves in the final. Why bother trying when only a month or so later they will be playing the "real" league within the championship structure? 2018 might be a good time to back Kerry or Offaly to win the hurling league final!!!!"
You're spot on. I imagine Galway will be happier in 1B next year than they were at the start of thisyear. 1A is so competitive I'd imagine the Munster teams in particular won't really care about winning it with the championship in mind. The league has been a great watch the last few years but the new structure will surely take the edge off it.
3rd in 1B?why? i cant wait for a shot at 1a next year,i probably wont get to many games due to work but i think it is exciting to be playing tipp/kk/cork/wat/clare in the first 3 months of the year.
Alright lads, it was just a typo. 1st 1A v 1st 1B 2nd 1A v 3rd 1A
Galway and a number of other counties in recent years have shown that 1B hurling does not harm championship ambitions.
At the qualifier group level, 2A teams have out performed 1B teams in the championship.
If semi-finals are brought in, 5th 1A and 2nd 1B should contest a relegation-promotion playoff.
The bottom team in all divisions should be automatically relegated. The argument guaranteeing a 6th game is redundant following the introduction of a group stage to the championship.
Replying To PoolSturgeon: "Would be crazy having a league qf in light of the revised championship structure. Indeed it is hard to envisage much future for the national league due to the new championship structure. Next years league for the top teams with championship ambitions will be all shadow boxing and experimentation with teams not caring about winning it unless they "accidentally" find themselves in the final. Why bother trying when only a month or so later they will be playing the "real" league within the championship structure? 2018 might be a good time to back Kerry or Offaly to win the hurling league final!!!!"
"Accidently find......" is a bit like the English League Cup
Replying To tiobraid: "You're spot on. I imagine Galway will be happier in 1B next year than they were at the start of thisyear. 1A is so competitive I'd imagine the Munster teams in particular won't really care about winning it with the championship in mind. The league has been a great watch the last few years but the new structure will surely take the edge off it."
Givem the Prov Groups around the corner, for variety, I think the NHL Groups should consist solely of Inter-Prov pairings, that is, Muns + One versus Lein + Galw before a Final (top Muns v top Lein).
Replying To legendzxix: "Alright lads, it was just a typo. 1st 1A v 1st 1B 2nd 1A v 3rd 1A
Galway and a number of other counties in recent years have shown that 1B hurling does not harm championship ambitions.
At the qualifier group level, 2A teams have out performed 1B teams in the championship.
If semi-finals are brought in, 5th 1A and 2nd 1B should contest a relegation-promotion playoff.
The bottom team in all divisions should be automatically relegated. The argument guaranteeing a 6th game is redundant following the introduction of a group stage to the championship."
I like 1.5 up/down like you have - and for all the other divs as well