National Forum

Sham of a NHL or what?

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Replying To bricktop:  "I'd agree, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater but change it slightly where the top two teams in Div1A go straight into the semi-finals with the 3rd and 4th in Div1A playing the top two in Div1B in the quarter finals with the right to play in the semifinals awaiting them.

If we go back to an 8 team Div1 we'll not get any where the same intensity as we've experienced the last few years plus Div1B would have some serious mismatches of gargantuan proportions."
There is a balance though between having competitive league games and having a league thats a true pre-season competition where managers can experiment with systems/personnel. At the moment the groups are so small and cut throat teams are training before christmas and january to be ready for their first league game, it's a disaster for college players as they're pulled in all directions.
New managers can be under pressue after 2 months in the job if they get relegated (Kingston last year, Clare this year). Plus counties may only have 2 home games in a year - how in any logical season is it suitable to have Galway only playing at home twice, how does that promote
hurling in Galway, same as waterford or clare. Are people saying hurling supporters are so fickle they'll only come out to watch their team in a knock out style game?
There is surely a way of structuring a league where competitiveness, pre season preparation and enough games are all balanced - the 6 team leagues is good for the competitiveness but not for the other aspects.

73forever (Limerick) - Posts: 89 - 29/03/2017 13:35:50    1972746

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Downs recovery appears to have stalled?

Fairplayalways (Offaly) - Posts: 1034 - 29/03/2017 14:03:39    1972763

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Replying To 73forever:  "There is a balance though between having competitive league games and having a league thats a true pre-season competition where managers can experiment with systems/personnel. At the moment the groups are so small and cut throat teams are training before christmas and january to be ready for their first league game, it's a disaster for college players as they're pulled in all directions.
New managers can be under pressue after 2 months in the job if they get relegated (Kingston last year, Clare this year). Plus counties may only have 2 home games in a year - how in any logical season is it suitable to have Galway only playing at home twice, how does that promote
hurling in Galway, same as waterford or clare. Are people saying hurling supporters are so fickle they'll only come out to watch their team in a knock out style game?
There is surely a way of structuring a league where competitiveness, pre season preparation and enough games are all balanced - the 6 team leagues is good for the competitiveness but not for the other aspects."
I agree.

A big problem with the GAA is that people want every game to be meaningful and competitive.

It's this attitude that leads to high training to games ratios.

It's also bad for long term competitiveness.

If your systems aren't open enough for new challengers to emerge and improve then you're left with an ever shrinking list of competitive teams as when a historically strong team declines there is nothing to take their place.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4235 - 29/03/2017 14:11:32    1972771

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Don't we have pre-season games, challenge matches, etc for lads to make their mark?

We will never satisfy every agenda in the GAA but I am absolutely delighted that Wexford got promoted and we were the only winners and there was no "Ah sure Galway and Limerick, you go up too". We got absolutely screwed when they reduced 1A to 6 teams at a moments notice - I am delighted they didnt do the same.

We are finally out of it and even if we lose all 5 games next year, I am looking forward to having Tipp and Kilkenny and Cork in the Park next year.

2017 is already a success.

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 29/03/2017 14:28:53    1972777

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