Knockout is the best way forward. I can't stand the argument saying "teams train all year and are knocked out after one game". Well the back door system has changed that to "teams train all year and are knocked out after TWO games" for the weaker teams who were always getting knocked out in first round. All it has done is help the stronger teams. In football, Kerry and Tyrone (the two strongest teams of the 2000s) won all irelands through the back door. In hurling, Kilkenny, Cork and Tipperary (the big 3 of the 2000s, 2010s all won all irelands through back door). In my opinion, the most competitive decade in both hurling and football was the 90s when we had no back door in football and none in hurling until 97 (which was a very limited back door). I wonder why?

HurlingSnob (Dublin) - Posts: 220 - 14/05/2017 02:50:46    1986508

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts: 1710 - 14/05/2017 12:01:21    1986530

You would still have people whinging that the weaker teams aren't able to compete.
No matter what format you use the better teams will win and the weaker teams won't. It's not formats it's common sense.
Last night ballymun beat Mary's by 40 points in Dublin championship last 16 simply because there that good, yet we had one of the best club games I have ever seen in Parnell park in the same round between castleknock and plunketts because it was all on the line for these two teams with aspirations of winning the championship. Dublin championship had a champions league format for a couple of years in the last decade and it produced no difference the top 8 teams came through easier as they avoided each other and beat the weaker teams as expected the same way knockout championship does. The only reason soccer and rugby club competitions use that format is for money as television produces more games equalling more money. The group stages of the champions league aren't worth watching as there are teams there that haven't a hope and just make up the numbers. It happens in every sport formats don't make a difference

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 14/05/2017 12:27:32    1986537

The stronger teams aren't called the stronger teams for no reason. They should win in any system. For me the knockout is about seeing more competitive games in provincial competitions where both teams are going all out to win the game knowing they're out of the championship if they lose. I think more supporters will go to watch a knockout game rather than one between two teams where one isn't trying too hard knowing they have a second chance. A second game to a weaker county doesn't benefit them that much. Also there seems to be at least one county that loses a provincial final and they're in a final qualifying round the next week, demoralised, against a team full of confidence coming through the backdoor games.

They should seriously try improving the standard of football in the so-called weaker counties and give them a chance of winning games in their province and All Ireland. Rather than saying they have at least two games in the championships. What an incentive that is! Only a few counties reaped any benefits from the backdoor. Tipperary, Wexford, Fermanagh, Limerick and Sligo spring to mind and only Tipperary and Fermanagh are doing fairly well in the championship lately.

If the GAA get their way an Intermediate championship will widen the gap in standard between top and bottom. Provincials and All Ireland are different trophies, different championships, should be separate competitions, not qualifying for the main competition based on how you do in your province. Not Dublin's fault they're so good but Leinster was really competitive and looks like it will be again within a few years. Ulster is the hardest provincial championship to win. So it's unfair on them that Connacht or Munster teams with less games have an easier path to the quarter finals. If they can come up with a backdoor championship, if they can bring in the Super 8, they can have separate provincials run before the All Ireland Championships both knockout competitions and every team still gets two games minimum.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7390 - 14/05/2017 14:41:53    1986567

Some of the stuff here is unreal!

Guarantee 1, 4 matches! Why not just go full time training - forget about matches altogether

We dont need to get NASA involved to identify the solution to our pathetic Competition Structure.

Just look at what works in most other team sports across the globe and demand something similar. Make all the effort worth while for the players - they are an important aspect of our games!

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1421 - 14/05/2017 15:58:05    1986582

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7390 - 14/05/2017 17:01:39    1986590

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1421 - 14/05/2017 22:05:30    1986667

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4350 - 15/05/2017 13:02:14    1986793

For me by far the main consideration should be what the players want.

The best thing for weaker counties is to be able to get out as many of their best players as possible to give themselves the best chance of some sort of relative success.

The GPA did this analysis and came up with keeping Provincial championships and having a group stage AI series. They did not want second tier competition.

I think the GAA really should be looking to get a format more along those lines.

The super 8 really didn't do that as it kept much of the unfairness from the provincial championships and also didn't provide the guaranteed games for all teams.

The cream will rise to the top no matter what the format but the powers that be should still has to cater to the needs of players and fans in weaker counties to maintain as much of a presence for the game in these counties as they can.

I think at times the priority which is to get as many playing our games as possible is forgotten
at times by the powers that be.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4247 - 15/05/2017 17:08:08    1986880