Armagh forward Steven McDonnell believes that the qualifying rounds of the All-Ireland SFC should be scrapped by the GAA, and the old knock-out system should be restored. The Kileavy clubman indicated that the 'backdoor' system does not favour provincial champions and points out that Armagh do not have a lot to show for seven Ulster titles in ten years due to the qualifying rounds. After capturing the Ulster title this year, the Orchard County fell to Wexford in the quarter-finals on August 9 and McDonnell believes that his side would have more All-Ireland titles under their belts were it not for the 'backdoor' "I've never been a fan of the backdoor system, even when we reached the All-Ireland final through the Qualifiers in 2003," McDonnell admitted to the Irish News newspaper. "The system in place has definitely cost us a couple of All-Ireland. We've won seven Ulster titles and what was our reward. Where is the benefit for teams who win a provincial title? "It's great to win your province, but if you go out the next day and get beaten, you can't learn from your mistakes unlike the teams that have entered the Qualifiers." McDonnell has suggested that the qualifiers have helped Tyrone gain great momentum this summer all the way to an All-Ireland semi-final, and the Armagh attacker has backed Mickey Harte's men to go all the way this year because of the momentum. "The backdoor system certainly helped Tyrone this year," he said. "They've came through three tough games and I'd fancy them to win this year's All-Ireland. It's Tyrone's to lose. They've a brilliant in Mickey Harte. I think they'll be too strong for Wexford and if Kerry get through, there's no better man than Harte to get the better of them in the final." Tweet

Most Read Stories