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New Format 2026 All Ireland

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Replying To 19616609:  "They seldom get the benefit of the doubt"
The poor old All Ireland champions. How do they keep going at all, what with the whole world against them.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1349 - 29/04/2025 09:17:02    2605246

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Replying To omahant:  "Yes, AIC QFs with 2 unbeaten Prov Champs and 6 via back door is fair to all. One of my 'very few' old ideas had this:

Prov Finals 8 + Other 24 (8 groups of 3)
Champs Rd 4 + 'Rd of 20' (4 losing Finalists +8 group top 2s)
'Rd of 12' (2 Champs Rd losers + 10 'Rd of 20' winners)
AIC QFs (2 Champs Rd winners + 6 'Rd of 12' winners)
SFs
F"
I'd just give 8 byes than do groups of 3.

The champions round would allow for a tier 2 that rejoined the All Ireland.

Winner from the Tailteann 16 rejoins at the last 14 stage.

That would mean 3 teams play in a Sam Maguire round 1. 6 of the 8 non Finalists.

Sam Maguire round 2 is the last 14.

Sam Maguire quarterfinals.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4516 - 29/04/2025 10:10:25    2605259

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I still think though that Provincials should be abandoned.

There could be a great league and playoff based competition there if there was more flexibility with no NFL or Provincials needing to be accommodated.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4516 - 29/04/2025 13:28:39    2605360

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Replying To Whammo86:  "I still think though that Provincials should be abandoned.

There could be a great league and playoff based competition there if there was more flexibility with no NFL or Provincials needing to be accommodated."
Yes, a pure streamlining would be very clean and elegant.

Personally, as a Corkonian, I "love" the Ulster Championship (as Muns SHC) - and to a lesser extent, Galway/Mayo/ Roscommon - maybe in time, Lein & Muns again as well.

I just think as stand alone competitions, there is little reward for Prov progress - it seems it should be pointless, despite certain passion on display.

I think having Provs as "subset" competitions - like the Triple Crown in the Six Nations, strikes a balance - results count towards your "league" and maybe the top team can be "League Champ" (like AFL Minor Premiership).

The importance of "Triple Crown or League Champ" could be in the "eye of the beholder" - even if worthless, it hurts nobody and there's something to be said for maintaining tradition (if workable).

The most inelegant aspect of my AILC are the 'tier crossover' ties - maybe match pts for 2 tier crossover
'pot 0v5' ties for all instead, added to my 10-game
Option 2?

I know - your Antrim could play 4 crossover as an Ulster Champ or losing Finalist - my remedy is match pts for '2 of 4' - still inelegant but less so and 'highly' unlikely.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3229 - 29/04/2025 14:51:23    2605402

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Armagh beat Tyrone, Meath beat Dublin, Kerry beat Cork and Galway beat Roscommon. All four defeated sides are still automatically through to the All Ireland.
In the 2026 format - Armagh, Meath, Kerry, Galway and the other finalists would be guaranteed home advantage in Round 1. It is some reward I suppose. Not sure it reaches a reasonable threshold though of adding drama, tension and excitement to the above games. Maybe it will be a popular format!

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8766 - 29/04/2025 14:57:20    2605405

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Replying To omahant:  "Yes, a pure streamlining would be very clean and elegant.

Personally, as a Corkonian, I "love" the Ulster Championship (as Muns SHC) - and to a lesser extent, Galway/Mayo/ Roscommon - maybe in time, Lein & Muns again as well.

I just think as stand alone competitions, there is little reward for Prov progress - it seems it should be pointless, despite certain passion on display.

I think having Provs as "subset" competitions - like the Triple Crown in the Six Nations, strikes a balance - results count towards your "league" and maybe the top team can be "League Champ" (like AFL Minor Premiership).

The importance of "Triple Crown or League Champ" could be in the "eye of the beholder" - even if worthless, it hurts nobody and there's something to be said for maintaining tradition (if workable).

The most inelegant aspect of my AILC are the 'tier crossover' ties - maybe match pts for 2 tier crossover
'pot 0v5' ties for all instead, added to my 10-game
Option 2?

I know - your Antrim could play 4 crossover as an Ulster Champ or losing Finalist - my remedy is match pts for '2 of 4' - still inelegant but less so and 'highly' unlikely."
I don't think it adds anything over say just having a 14 team division with top 6 going to the playoffs, bottom 2 relegated and 11th and 12th playing 3rd and 4th in the second tier in promotion and relegation playoffs.

Meath v Dublin would still happen and still be a big match.

You can't incorporate the Provincials into the All Ireland and not make provision for the champions to have a shot at All Ireland glory. It doesn't make any sense and it's so clearly doesn't that it's hard to explain further why it doesn't.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4516 - 29/04/2025 15:11:37    2605414

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Armagh beat Tyrone, Meath beat Dublin, Kerry beat Cork and Galway beat Roscommon. All four defeated sides are still automatically through to the All Ireland.
In the 2026 format - Armagh, Meath, Kerry, Galway and the other finalists would be guaranteed home advantage in Round 1. It is some reward I suppose. Not sure it reaches a reasonable threshold though of adding drama, tension and excitement to the above games. Maybe it will be a popular format!"
This is my point though when I say that tinkering around the edges is unlikely to solve much and that I struggle to see how the 2026 system will be a long term solution.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4516 - 29/04/2025 17:15:39    2605470

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Replying To Whammo86:  "This is my point though when I say that tinkering around the edges is unlikely to solve much and that I struggle to see how the 2026 system will be a long term solution."
As mentioned before - I think the reason this won out ahead of 4 groups of 4 with 2 advancing is that the double eliminator removes the dead rubber in Round 3. It seems to be a high priority of the new format.
Provincial championships have low relevance to All Ireland qualification currently. Some season ticket holders have been turned off by provincial championship and bloated All Ireland series. They don't exactly encourage subscriptions of GAA+ either.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8766 - 29/04/2025 17:20:46    2605475

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Replying To Whammo86:  "I don't think it adds anything over say just having a 14 team division with top 6 going to the playoffs, bottom 2 relegated and 11th and 12th playing 3rd and 4th in the second tier in promotion and relegation playoffs.

Meath v Dublin would still happen and still be a big match.

You can't incorporate the Provincials into the All Ireland and not make provision for the champions to have a shot at All Ireland glory. It doesn't make any sense and it's so clearly doesn't that it's hard to explain further why it doesn't."
Call it "semi-decoupling" of the Provs from the AIC.
Ireland won the 2025 Triple Crown, which gave them 6 match pts towards the 6 Nations Championship - nothing more.
Why can't the Provs work the same way - they could or they might not - it's a workable real choice that is not illegal.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3229 - 29/04/2025 17:52:05    2605488

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It is being reported that All Ireland finals are unlikely to move to August in 2026. If it is the same timeframe as this year - these are the two options:
1) A weekend off after the league finals.
OR
2) Round 2A & 2B, Round 3 and the quarter finals not being in three consecutive weekends.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8766 - 29/04/2025 19:08:53    2605511

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Replying To omahant:  "Call it "semi-decoupling" of the Provs from the AIC.
Ireland won the 2025 Triple Crown, which gave them 6 match pts towards the 6 Nations Championship - nothing more.
Why can't the Provs work the same way - they could or they might not - it's a workable real choice that is not illegal."
It makes no sense. It's no like the triple crown either because every triple crown game is included in the 6 Nations.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4516 - 29/04/2025 20:12:12    2605516

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Replying To legendzxix:  "As mentioned before - I think the reason this won out ahead of 4 groups of 4 with 2 advancing is that the double eliminator removes the dead rubber in Round 3. It seems to be a high priority of the new format.
Provincial championships have low relevance to All Ireland qualification currently. Some season ticket holders have been turned off by provincial championship and bloated All Ireland series. They don't exactly encourage subscriptions of GAA+ either."
Groups of 4 are a bad format for the GAA where draws are rare.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4516 - 29/04/2025 20:14:30    2605517

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Replying To Whammo86:  "Groups of 4 are a bad format for the GAA where draws are rare."
Interesting view point. Then the double eliminator is the option where they are allowing teams an opportunity to grow into the tournament.
Hurling has it fine. Starts with the league for incremental improvement. Then your are into the championship group stages for the proper hurling. Knockout then after that.
Football has competitive leagues first. Then low intensity and lopsided provincial championships. Then trying to rise for All Ireland.
There is a strong argument in the current format for flipping the season. Provincials first. Winners guaranteed an All Ireland place. Then the league. Everyone knows where they have to finish to qualify for 11 league spots. All Ireland championship then after that.
If they want to persist with the double eliminator though other formats might be preferable by others, Round 1 should be split in two:
Round 1A - Seed 1s v 4s.
Round 1B - Seed 2s v 3s.
Round 2A - 1A winners v 1B winners.
Round 2B - open draw.
Round 3 - 1A losers v 1B winners.
QFs - 2A winners v R3 winners.
Division 1 and 2 winners could be guaranteed home advantage in Round 1. Division 3 and 4 winners could also be guaranteed home advantage in the All Ireland or Tailteann Round 1. All other rounds should see counties agree a home and an away arrangement. If Derry are at home to Westmeath one year. Westmeath would be at home the next time they are paired in championship, unless Derry are guaranteed home advantage as a division winner in Round 1 where the home and away arrangement would have to skip to the next game.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8766 - 29/04/2025 21:14:57    2605525

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Stop comparing us to rugby. Who gives a f about the triple crown. They only introduced a "trophy plate" for it in recent years. The Calcutta cup is another…pointless. Who cares.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11550 - 29/04/2025 22:22:16    2605535

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Replying To yew_tree:  "Stop comparing us to rugby. Who gives a f about the triple crown. They only introduced a "trophy plate" for it in recent years. The Calcutta cup is another…pointless. Who cares."
For Kerry, Dublin, Mayo and Galway - another provincial win is worthless - who cares? The other 28 counties that would love to win any kind of trophy.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1349 - 30/04/2025 08:49:29    2605577

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Interesting view point. Then the double eliminator is the option where they are allowing teams an opportunity to grow into the tournament.
Hurling has it fine. Starts with the league for incremental improvement. Then your are into the championship group stages for the proper hurling. Knockout then after that.
Football has competitive leagues first. Then low intensity and lopsided provincial championships. Then trying to rise for All Ireland.
There is a strong argument in the current format for flipping the season. Provincials first. Winners guaranteed an All Ireland place. Then the league. Everyone knows where they have to finish to qualify for 11 league spots. All Ireland championship then after that.
If they want to persist with the double eliminator though other formats might be preferable by others, Round 1 should be split in two:
Round 1A - Seed 1s v 4s.
Round 1B - Seed 2s v 3s.
Round 2A - 1A winners v 1B winners.
Round 2B - open draw.
Round 3 - 1A losers v 1B winners.
QFs - 2A winners v R3 winners.
Division 1 and 2 winners could be guaranteed home advantage in Round 1. Division 3 and 4 winners could also be guaranteed home advantage in the All Ireland or Tailteann Round 1. All other rounds should see counties agree a home and an away arrangement. If Derry are at home to Westmeath one year. Westmeath would be at home the next time they are paired in championship, unless Derry are guaranteed home advantage as a division winner in Round 1 where the home and away arrangement would have to skip to the next game."
I think larger groups can make sense. Groups of 5 and 6 with 3 teams moving forward makes sense in hurling.

I think if you flip the season you should just move into a league based championship.

If you want to retain something of a tournament style championship with the league and Provincials being qualifiers then the 2 competitions should be played in parallel.

If there wasn't a split season I actually think you could have a better inter county championship and provide more club games.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4516 - 30/04/2025 09:13:02    2605580

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The flip side of league following provincial championships is that Derry could lose their Ulster opener and then go through Division 1 without a win, be relegated and still qualify automatically for the All Ireland. While it happens currently, the league followed provincial championships would really put the spotlight on it!

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8766 - 30/04/2025 10:10:23    2605594

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Replying To Whammo86:  "I think larger groups can make sense. Groups of 5 and 6 with 3 teams moving forward makes sense in hurling.

I think if you flip the season you should just move into a league based championship.

If you want to retain something of a tournament style championship with the league and Provincials being qualifiers then the 2 competitions should be played in parallel.

If there wasn't a split season I actually think you could have a better inter county championship and provide more club games."
I think the higher Division 3 counties should be pushing to 4 groups of 5. Offaly, Kildare, Westmeath and Fermanagh wouldn't be out of place in 4 groups of 5. The league would have to be completed within 6 rounds.
The other alternative is a 10:10:12 split. 4 provincial runners up and 11 league qualifiers should playoff for 5 places to join the 4 provincial winners and Tailteann winner in 2 groups of 5. Provincial runners up could have a bye from Q1 but Q2 should be seeded on league.
The 10 counties losing in the playoffs could contest the Tailteann in 2 groups of 5. Tier 3 then possibly in 2 groups of 6.
I don't think 20:12 or 10:10:12 is disrespecting Division 4 counties but what's your opinion on it?

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8766 - 30/04/2025 10:38:52    2605601

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12 senior All Ireland counties
14 div 1 counties
League starts in Feb
6 rounds by end of March
League finals around Easter.

provincial first round May bank holiday
All Ireland championships starts one weeks later
Play a provincial game every 3rd week, same for All Ireland groups and other week off.

All Ireland Q finals first weekend in July - 16 counties start their club championships
All Ireland final in Mid August.

Club champions from All Ireland semi finalists get a buy in provincial club championships

All Ireland club played during county club - clubs in All Ireland get a bye to county club q finals.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1349 - 30/04/2025 10:42:12    2605606

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Division 4 is the only division without relegation. If the All Ireland expanded to 4 groups of 5, the bottom 2 in Division 4 could be excluded from All Ireland playoffs.
The remaining non finalists could playoff to join 8 provincial finalists and 1 Tailteann winner in the all Ireland 20. That would be 11 or 12 qualifier spots depending on Tailteann winner making their provincial final. Most likely 21 teams for 11 places or 22 for 12 places. 1 or 2 byes on league ranking.
It would mean the Division 1 winner most likely confirming All Ireland qualification. The only thing to deny that confirmation would be the Tailteann winner being in the bottom 2 of Division 4! You would in that scenario probably have 22 teams for 11 places.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8766 - 30/04/2025 13:20:45    2605667

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