National Forum

Cork Chairman Pitches New AI SHC Revamp

(Oldest Posts First)

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41883283.html

Above is Cork Chairman's hot-off-the-press proposal for a new AI SHC structure.

Main details:
- Muns & Lein round robins retained
- Lein increased to 7 teams
- 4 AI Prelim QFs (Prov 3rd/4th host 5th/6th/7th)
- 4 AI QFs (Prov Finalists host 4 Prelim QF winners)

My initial thoughts are that mixed-Prov round robins are better, and there is not much advantage in getting a Prelim QF bye as opposed to playing it (given the lack of quality depth). It is possible to lift the Liam McC Cup with 4 wins in the AI Series, after losing all 6 Lein games (hello Kildare).

It brings more hurling into mid Summer, so it is an improvement on what we have now.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3489 - 21/07/2026 14:39:25    2686496

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Replying To omahant:  "https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41883283.html

Above is Cork Chairman's hot-off-the-press proposal for a new AI SHC structure.

Main details:
- Muns & Lein round robins retained
- Lein increased to 7 teams
- 4 AI Prelim QFs (Prov 3rd/4th host 5th/6th/7th)
- 4 AI QFs (Prov Finalists host 4 Prelim QF winners)

My initial thoughts are that mixed-Prov round robins are better, and there is not much advantage in getting a Prelim QF bye as opposed to playing it (given the lack of quality depth). It is possible to lift the Liam McC Cup with 4 wins in the AI Series, after losing all 6 Lein games (hello Kildare).

It brings more hurling into mid Summer, so it is an improvement on what we have now."
Not much point to the 10 Munster and 21 Leinster Round Robin games if everyone gets to play in a knock out All Ireland series.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 774 - 21/07/2026 17:35:07    2686514

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Munster wants a back door while Leinster lives with a trap door!

Leinster counties face relegation. Munster counties don't. Yet we're now being asked to support a proposal that gives Munster counties even more protection through an expanded All-Ireland series.
Before creating second chances for counties that finish fifth in Munster, perhaps the GAA should explain why a Leinster county can lose its place in the championship altogether while a Munster county cannot.
Championship reform should be about fairness for all hurling counties, not solving one province's problems at everyone else's expense.

wexford2012 (Wexford) - Posts: 136 - 21/07/2026 17:48:31    2686516

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I dont think a 7 team leinster would go down well playing two extra games then their munster counterparts

DuhallowRed (Cork) - Posts: 336 - 21/07/2026 18:01:40    2686519

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Replying To omahant:  "https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41883283.html

Above is Cork Chairman's hot-off-the-press proposal for a new AI SHC structure.

Main details:
- Muns & Lein round robins retained
- Lein increased to 7 teams
- 4 AI Prelim QFs (Prov 3rd/4th host 5th/6th/7th)
- 4 AI QFs (Prov Finalists host 4 Prelim QF winners)

My initial thoughts are that mixed-Prov round robins are better, and there is not much advantage in getting a Prelim QF bye as opposed to playing it (given the lack of quality depth). It is possible to lift the Liam McC Cup with 4 wins in the AI Series, after losing all 6 Lein games (hello Kildare).

It brings more hurling into mid Summer, so it is an improvement on what we have now."
Play provincial finals then top 4 in both provinces into an open draw of 4 teams. Play the 3 games in each group and the winners of each group into All Ireland final.

2maroonjerseys (Galway) - Posts: 168 - 21/07/2026 18:01:42    2686520

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Fair play to Cork GAA, Pat Horgan and Kevin O'Donovan, this is obviously a subject they've been giving plenty of thought to, its not their first statement on the need for something to be done for the game of hurling in recent months, and its a workable plan they've come up with to get more games of hurling later in the year, within the existing intercounty window too.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20299 - 21/07/2026 18:39:31    2686524

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Replying To Seanfan:  "Not much point to the 10 Munster and 21 Leinster Round Robin games if everyone gets to play in a knock out All Ireland series."
Sure why did we play Provincial Football Championship games this year then? All the Football counties played in the tier 1 or tier 2 All Ireland competitions that followed.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20299 - 21/07/2026 18:41:31    2686525

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Replying To Seanfan:  "Not much point to the 10 Munster and 21 Leinster Round Robin games if everyone gets to play in a knock out All Ireland series."
I agree.
I dont see this having any lifespan beyond this news cycle.
The preliminary quarter final may come in even though im against it myself but not so much that its a deal breaker for me.
The 7th team may even come into leinster even though im against that too and more so than 4th qualifying. I mean what do we do when they start talking about the 7th team going up and down? Go to 8, 9, etc. It also throws the McDonagh cup out of sync and the knock on effect to other championships. Noone in those championships are complaining. There also needs to be an extra 2 weeks found for that extra team. I think it will stay at 6 in leinster.
The most likely scenario is a preliminary quarter final weekend the weekend after the provincial finals between 3rd and 4th. Its the path of least resistance, fits into the current calender and schedule and doesnt cause any political controversy or turbulence.
The rules review is the bigger story.
Id like to see the tap/solo and go free introduced.
Indirect frees for technical fouls including perceived throws( tap and go can be used here)
Puckouts must go outside large arc( its on pitch so use it)
Limit numbers to ruck( max 2 per team and indirect free/tap and go for breach)
Black card to go. Retain the penalty for deliberate foul of all types that denies a goal scoring opportunity but get rid of the black card and 10 minutes. The penalty is punishment enough. If the foul is a yellow card anywhere else on the pitch its a yellow in this instance and ditto red.
There are going to be more than enough cards flying anyway when refs enforce the high tackle rules which they will going forward.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 744 - 21/07/2026 18:44:30    2686526

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