National Forum

The League

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Let's be honest despite what some people may think , this is where the most interest will be this year in football terms.
Can't wait, we start off in navan v our annexed neighbours. Always a great feeling for me personally (due to obvious reasons). Then it's onto Armagh grounds to play Down, (by far my fav ulster team) we have history going back decades, always decent games, and the one thing I always held to Down was the fact they always tried to play football, and not keep ball. Then upto castlebar for a rematch with mayo a team we bizarrely lost to last year when winning seemed a formality. Mayo no doubt improved since that game and this will be a big ask.
I am hopeful that going into that game we will have already qualified for the semis . Promotion is a must this year . We all know regardless of what mcstay or Whelan says to hype up the dead competition the league's is where the real interest is

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 23/04/2021 09:07:12    2338480

Link

Replying To royaldunne:  "Let's be honest despite what some people may think , this is where the most interest will be this year in football terms.
Can't wait, we start off in navan v our annexed neighbours. Always a great feeling for me personally (due to obvious reasons). Then it's onto Armagh grounds to play Down, (by far my fav ulster team) we have history going back decades, always decent games, and the one thing I always held to Down was the fact they always tried to play football, and not keep ball. Then upto castlebar for a rematch with mayo a team we bizarrely lost to last year when winning seemed a formality. Mayo no doubt improved since that game and this will be a big ask.
I am hopeful that going into that game we will have already qualified for the semis . Promotion is a must this year . We all know regardless of what mcstay or Whelan says to hype up the dead competition the league's is where the real interest is"
Agree, it will be great to have the NFL back but in my opinion the GAA have made an absolute shambles of the fixtures "Master Plan" which leaves us in a situation where there "might" and there "might not" be league finals. As far as I know, there will be no Division 1 final in the National Hurling League, with joint-winners being announced. Anybody ever think that maybe the team who tops the league may be the deserving winners, or is it beyond the intelligence of those very well paid in HQ.

AfricanGael (UK) - Posts: 1947 - 23/04/2021 10:04:33    2338487

Link

Replying To AfricanGael:  "Agree, it will be great to have the NFL back but in my opinion the GAA have made an absolute shambles of the fixtures "Master Plan" which leaves us in a situation where there "might" and there "might not" be league finals. As far as I know, there will be no Division 1 final in the National Hurling League, with joint-winners being announced. Anybody ever think that maybe the team who tops the league may be the deserving winners, or is it beyond the intelligence of those very well paid in HQ."
Could not agree more with you. Common sense is something that gaa hq seem to lack.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 23/04/2021 10:50:24    2338492

Link

Is there promotion / relegation in the leagues this year?

Meath10 (Meath) - Posts: 183 - 23/04/2021 11:17:12    2338496

Link

Replying To AfricanGael:  "Agree, it will be great to have the NFL back but in my opinion the GAA have made an absolute shambles of the fixtures "Master Plan" which leaves us in a situation where there "might" and there "might not" be league finals. As far as I know, there will be no Division 1 final in the National Hurling League, with joint-winners being announced. Anybody ever think that maybe the team who tops the league may be the deserving winners, or is it beyond the intelligence of those very well paid in HQ."
Since there are two Divisions it is impossible to have one top team. Last year Limerick headed one group of five and Clare headed the other.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4316 - 23/04/2021 12:20:16    2338507

Link

Replying To Meath10:  "Is there promotion / relegation in the leagues this year?"
Yes there is. I think teams won't be going as hard in the league as a normal year. Most will be aiming towards a championship which is fraught with danger due to no back door.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11227 - 23/04/2021 12:43:19    2338513

Link

Replying To Oldtourman:  "
Replying To AfricanGael:  "Agree, it will be great to have the NFL back but in my opinion the GAA have made an absolute shambles of the fixtures "Master Plan" which leaves us in a situation where there "might" and there "might not" be league finals. As far as I know, there will be no Division 1 final in the National Hurling League, with joint-winners being announced. Anybody ever think that maybe the team who tops the league may be the deserving winners, or is it beyond the intelligence of those very well paid in HQ."
Since there are two Divisions it is impossible to have one top team. Last year Limerick headed one group of five and Clare headed the other."
OTM, this might be a stupid question but didn't the Munster QF of LIM v CLA double up as the league final... Think Hannon was awarded the league trophy after the match. Unique times i guess

brian (Meath) - Posts: 1954 - 23/04/2021 13:03:22    2338515

Link

Replying To brian:  "
Replying To Oldtourman:  "[quote=AfricanGael:  "Agree, it will be great to have the NFL back but in my opinion the GAA have made an absolute shambles of the fixtures "Master Plan" which leaves us in a situation where there "might" and there "might not" be league finals. As far as I know, there will be no Division 1 final in the National Hurling League, with joint-winners being announced. Anybody ever think that maybe the team who tops the league may be the deserving winners, or is it beyond the intelligence of those very well paid in HQ."
Since there are two Divisions it is impossible to have one top team. Last year Limerick headed one group of five and Clare headed the other."
OTM, this might be a stupid question but didn't the Munster QF of LIM v CLA double up as the league final... Think Hannon was awarded the league trophy after the match. Unique times i guess"]Since there are two Divisions it is impossible to have one top team. Last year Limerick headed one group of five and Clare headed the other Correct, but Limerick finished on 10 points and Clare on 9, so it's not impossible at all.

AfricanGael (UK) - Posts: 1947 - 23/04/2021 13:15:03    2338517

Link

Replying To AfricanGael:  "
Replying To brian:  "[quote=Oldtourman:  "[quote=AfricanGael:  "Agree, it will be great to have the NFL back but in my opinion the GAA have made an absolute shambles of the fixtures "Master Plan" which leaves us in a situation where there "might" and there "might not" be league finals. As far as I know, there will be no Division 1 final in the National Hurling League, with joint-winners being announced. Anybody ever think that maybe the team who tops the league may be the deserving winners, or is it beyond the intelligence of those very well paid in HQ."
Since there are two Divisions it is impossible to have one top team. Last year Limerick headed one group of five and Clare headed the other."
OTM, this might be a stupid question but didn't the Munster QF of LIM v CLA double up as the league final... Think Hannon was awarded the league trophy after the match. Unique times i guess"]Since there are two Divisions it is impossible to have one top team. Last year Limerick headed one group of five and Clare headed the other Correct, but Limerick finished on 10 points and Clare on 9, so it's not impossible at all. "]Playing different teams, are you for real?

achara (Monaghan) - Posts: 561 - 23/04/2021 13:58:09    2338523

Link

Replying To royaldunne:  "Let's be honest despite what some people may think , this is where the most interest will be this year in football terms.
Can't wait, we start off in navan v our annexed neighbours. Always a great feeling for me personally (due to obvious reasons). Then it's onto Armagh grounds to play Down, (by far my fav ulster team) we have history going back decades, always decent games, and the one thing I always held to Down was the fact they always tried to play football, and not keep ball. Then upto castlebar for a rematch with mayo a team we bizarrely lost to last year when winning seemed a formality. Mayo no doubt improved since that game and this will be a big ask.
I am hopeful that going into that game we will have already qualified for the semis . Promotion is a must this year . We all know regardless of what mcstay or Whelan says to hype up the dead competition the league's is where the real interest is"
Very ture. Its the holy grail the league. Far better competition all round. I always believed that the gaa should have been run premier league style with 3 divisions senior, intermediate and junior. 10 in each division and 9 games league style and then play your provincials intermittent knockout as your cup competitions and let Sam maguire go to the winner of senior division. Far better system and sam goes to the best team over 9 weeks all round.

monaghanmad (Monaghan) - Posts: 378 - 23/04/2021 14:11:40    2338526

Link

Replying To achara:  "
Replying To AfricanGael:  "[quote=brian:  "[quote=Oldtourman:  "[quote=AfricanGael:  "Agree, it will be great to have the NFL back but in my opinion the GAA have made an absolute shambles of the fixtures "Master Plan" which leaves us in a situation where there "might" and there "might not" be league finals. As far as I know, there will be no Division 1 final in the National Hurling League, with joint-winners being announced. Anybody ever think that maybe the team who tops the league may be the deserving winners, or is it beyond the intelligence of those very well paid in HQ."
Since there are two Divisions it is impossible to have one top team. Last year Limerick headed one group of five and Clare headed the other."
OTM, this might be a stupid question but didn't the Munster QF of LIM v CLA double up as the league final... Think Hannon was awarded the league trophy after the match. Unique times i guess"]Since there are two Divisions it is impossible to have one top team. Last year Limerick headed one group of five and Clare headed the other Correct, but Limerick finished on 10 points and Clare on 9, so it's not impossible at all. "]Playing different teams, are you for real?"]Playing different teams, are you for real?" Sure you could make that silly argument about anything, about one province being more difficult than another or that such a team had a home game against the same opponent that your team played away, you could go on and on to find excuses, but if you want to persist in such a silly argument then how about this, Limerick were in a group with far better teams than Clare and still picked up more points, so no matter what way you look at your point, you're wrong about it.

AfricanGael (UK) - Posts: 1947 - 23/04/2021 16:01:16    2338548

Link

Replying To AfricanGael:  "
Replying To achara:  "[quote=AfricanGael:  "[quote=brian:  "[quote=Oldtourman:  "[quote=AfricanGael:  "Agree, it will be great to have the NFL back but in my opinion the GAA have made an absolute shambles of the fixtures "Master Plan" which leaves us in a situation where there "might" and there "might not" be league finals. As far as I know, there will be no Division 1 final in the National Hurling League, with joint-winners being announced. Anybody ever think that maybe the team who tops the league may be the deserving winners, or is it beyond the intelligence of those very well paid in HQ."
Since there are two Divisions it is impossible to have one top team. Last year Limerick headed one group of five and Clare headed the other."
OTM, this might be a stupid question but didn't the Munster QF of LIM v CLA double up as the league final... Think Hannon was awarded the league trophy after the match. Unique times i guess"]Since there are two Divisions it is impossible to have one top team. Last year Limerick headed one group of five and Clare headed the other Correct, but Limerick finished on 10 points and Clare on 9, so it's not impossible at all. "]Playing different teams, are you for real?"]Playing different teams, are you for real?" Sure you could make that silly argument about anything, about one province being more difficult than another or that such a team had a home game against the same opponent that your team played away, you could go on and on to find excuses, but if you want to persist in such a silly argument then how about this, Limerick were in a group with far better teams than Clare and still picked up more points, so no matter what way you look at your point, you're wrong about it."]Favourites have often lost major matches. Your argument falls at the first fence, which a very low uneventful one.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4316 - 23/04/2021 17:39:52    2338554

Link

Ah the old league anticipation, so welcomed after the winter break, a more level competition, and forgotten as soon as its over.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8585 - 23/04/2021 17:59:49    2338556

Link

Replying To monaghanmad:  "Very ture. Its the holy grail the league. Far better competition all round. I always believed that the gaa should have been run premier league style with 3 divisions senior, intermediate and junior. 10 in each division and 9 games league style and then play your provincials intermittent knockout as your cup competitions and let Sam maguire go to the winner of senior division. Far better system and sam goes to the best team over 9 weeks all round."
Not a bad idea at all.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 23/04/2021 18:35:09    2338558

Link

Replying To Oldtourman:  "
Replying To AfricanGael:  "[quote=achara:  "[quote=AfricanGael:  "[quote=brian:  "[quote=Oldtourman:  "[quote=AfricanGael:  "Agree, it will be great to have the NFL back but in my opinion the GAA have made an absolute shambles of the fixtures "Master Plan" which leaves us in a situation where there "might" and there "might not" be league finals. As far as I know, there will be no Division 1 final in the National Hurling League, with joint-winners being announced. Anybody ever think that maybe the team who tops the league may be the deserving winners, or is it beyond the intelligence of those very well paid in HQ."
Since there are two Divisions it is impossible to have one top team. Last year Limerick headed one group of five and Clare headed the other."
OTM, this might be a stupid question but didn't the Munster QF of LIM v CLA double up as the league final... Think Hannon was awarded the league trophy after the match. Unique times i guess"]Since there are two Divisions it is impossible to have one top team. Last year Limerick headed one group of five and Clare headed the other Correct, but Limerick finished on 10 points and Clare on 9, so it's not impossible at all. "]Playing different teams, are you for real?"]Playing different teams, are you for real?" Sure you could make that silly argument about anything, about one province being more difficult than another or that such a team had a home game against the same opponent that your team played away, you could go on and on to find excuses, but if you want to persist in such a silly argument then how about this, Limerick were in a group with far better teams than Clare and still picked up more points, so no matter what way you look at your point, you're wrong about it."]Favourites have often lost major matches. Your argument falls at the first fence, which a very low uneventful one."]What has a statement like "Favorites have often lost major matches" got to do with which team should be crowned league champions ? We are talking about last years league, the games are over , played, finished and you come out with a nonsensical soundbite, but if you're able to expand in a cohesive way then go ahead, the floor is yours, but please rise yourself up above troll type soundbites. My position is very clear regarding Leagues of any kind, you pick up the most points having played the same amount of games as your opponents, you win the league, not so difficult to understand is it, obviously other criteria is used in the case of a tie. You don't seem to realize "League Finals" are just a money making racket do you. Maybe Rangers should have a League Final with Celtic, have an off day and get beaten and Celtic be crowned champions, even though they are 20 or so points behind, in the greedy GAA world all that would matter was the money it would make, forget about fairness, it's all about the money. But go on anyway.....have your say, I'm all ears.

AfricanGael (UK) - Posts: 1947 - 23/04/2021 20:22:24    2338564

Link

Replying To royaldunne:  "Not a bad idea at all."
The GAA are anti good ideas I'm afraid. If it's common sense, they'll do the opposite.

AfricanGael (UK) - Posts: 1947 - 23/04/2021 21:07:06    2338565

Link

Replying To AfricanGael:  "Agree, it will be great to have the NFL back but in my opinion the GAA have made an absolute shambles of the fixtures "Master Plan" which leaves us in a situation where there "might" and there "might not" be league finals. As far as I know, there will be no Division 1 final in the National Hurling League, with joint-winners being announced. Anybody ever think that maybe the team who tops the league may be the deserving winners, or is it beyond the intelligence of those very well paid in HQ."
2 league division 1s in hurling lad

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11730 - 23/04/2021 22:12:18    2338572

Link

Replying To AfricanGael:  "The GAA are anti good ideas I'm afraid. If it's common sense, they'll do the opposite. "
A playoff between winners of different leagues of the same level is the fairest way in any sport. The divisions were made up by a draw and pretty much no county plays their best team available in every league game so you cant say one is necessarily better than the other.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11730 - 23/04/2021 22:17:10    2338573

Link

I think the league and championship could be amalgamated easily enough.

League divisions of 12, 10 and 10.

Provincials straight knockout.

Top 4 in division 1 plus Provincial champions qualify for All Series.

If you qualify twice you get a bye to the semis, otherwise you play a quarterfinal.

League gets elevated.

Every team still has the dream of winning Sam.

Max 4 teams get a second chance if they lose in their Province and they've earned it by being a top 4 team in the league.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4208 - 23/04/2021 22:23:42    2338576

Link

Replying To AfricanGael:  "
Replying To Oldtourman:  "[quote=AfricanGael:  "[quote=achara:  "[quote=AfricanGael:  "[quote=brian:  "[quote=Oldtourman:  "[quote=AfricanGael:  "Agree, it will be great to have the NFL back but in my opinion the GAA have made an absolute shambles of the fixtures "Master Plan" which leaves us in a situation where there "might" and there "might not" be league finals. As far as I know, there will be no Division 1 final in the National Hurling League, with joint-winners being announced. Anybody ever think that maybe the team who tops the league may be the deserving winners, or is it beyond the intelligence of those very well paid in HQ."
Since there are two Divisions it is impossible to have one top team. Last year Limerick headed one group of five and Clare headed the other."
OTM, this might be a stupid question but didn't the Munster QF of LIM v CLA double up as the league final... Think Hannon was awarded the league trophy after the match. Unique times i guess"]Since there are two Divisions it is impossible to have one top team. Last year Limerick headed one group of five and Clare headed the other Correct, but Limerick finished on 10 points and Clare on 9, so it's not impossible at all. "]Playing different teams, are you for real?"]Playing different teams, are you for real?" Sure you could make that silly argument about anything, about one province being more difficult than another or that such a team had a home game against the same opponent that your team played away, you could go on and on to find excuses, but if you want to persist in such a silly argument then how about this, Limerick were in a group with far better teams than Clare and still picked up more points, so no matter what way you look at your point, you're wrong about it."]Favourites have often lost major matches. Your argument falls at the first fence, which a very low uneventful one."]What has a statement like "Favorites have often lost major matches" got to do with which team should be crowned league champions ? We are talking about last years league, the games are over , played, finished and you come out with a nonsensical soundbite, but if you're able to expand in a cohesive way then go ahead, the floor is yours, but please rise yourself up above troll type soundbites. My position is very clear regarding Leagues of any kind, you pick up the most points having played the same amount of games as your opponents, you win the league, not so difficult to understand is it, obviously other criteria is used in the case of a tie. You don't seem to realize "League Finals" are just a money making racket do you. Maybe Rangers should have a League Final with Celtic, have an off day and get beaten and Celtic be crowned champions, even though they are 20 or so points behind, in the greedy GAA world all that would matter was the money it would make, forget about fairness, it's all about the money. But go on anyway.....have your say, I'm all ears. "]But strictly speaking both Clare and Limerick played different opponents and the team that Clare drew with, beat Limerick in an All Ireland Semi Final only six or seven months earlier and has been the dominant team in the country over the past ten years. We are not talking about soccer, League Finals have been the concluding and decisive game in almost every National League Competition for the past eighty years. The fact is fans have been quite happy with this arrangement throughout most of that lengthy period, so if it is working why fix it.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4316 - 23/04/2021 22:29:48    2338577

Link