Hill16Army (Dublin) - Posts: 88 - 30/09/2017 16:57:22    2051958

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1456 - 30/09/2017 17:03:04    2051960

Tacaí Liatroma (Leitrim) - Posts: 1029 - 30/09/2017 17:48:04    2051968

Bad result, but at least the 6 qualifier group teams are in the AI series, a silver lining. But its a backward step, adding extra games at a stage where they're not wanted, while not addressing the lack of games at the business end of the season, which was the initial concern. The best part of the qualifer system we have now, is that Leinster and Munster teams can meet earlier in the season. That's gone, and teams are far more silo'd into a lopsided provincial system, which has lead to Kerry being treated very unfairly, and Offaly due for 4 potential hammerings next year.

These changes are rushed and not thought out. And vague, especially the underage changes. Ulster teams, next year, will compete in the minor and U21 Leinster championships, if they are suitable. Apparently, the teams who will compete will be decided by agreement between the Ulster and Leinster Councils. But what criteria will this be based on? When will it be decided?

And what of Ring/Rackard/Meaghar teams, you know, over HALF the hurling teams in the country, what do they get? Let me guess, "something something...round robin ...something something"? Less than even a token gesture probably.

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 30/09/2017 18:31:32    2051975

A round robin in July/ August would not have worked either with the super 8's going on at the same time. Too many games and not enough time for tv slots. So if Hurling is to have an equivalent then it had to be in May/June. The regional c'ships will no doubt get a boost and an element of the old knockout edge will be restored to them. But my worry is that the whole system will mean that some teams may meet 3 times in the c'ship. Also the fact that Leinster and munster teams will not meet as often is a step backwards. Cant see it going beyond the 3 years.

ZUL10 (Clare) - Posts: 693 - 30/09/2017 20:04:06    2051999

CeachtPeile (Cavan) - Posts: 103 - 30/09/2017 22:15:22    2052037

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1456 - 30/09/2017 22:50:56    2052045

With the way that congress has turned out, there will have to be 4 quarter finals. Otherwise the Leinster and Munster runners-up will be eliminated very early. It can be tidied up at the next Central Council meeting. All in all I think it's a fairly good structure. The only place teams can meet each other for a third time is in the AI final.

highking (Mayo) - Posts: 168 - 01/10/2017 02:15:09    2052059

Lot of lads asking to clarify things about this new set up, but can someone please clarify when clubs are ment to get championships and leagues played off or will 90% of players train all summer to have a club final in November/December.

hurlinglad15 (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 01/10/2017 08:54:03    2052068

Good day for Galway, seniors now getting some home matches. U21s in leinster and minors getting a few more games too. Is it just the senior championship restructuring that is on a trial basis?

fireinthebelly (Galway) - Posts: 89 - 01/10/2017 10:34:57    2052086

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4221 - 01/10/2017 11:09:12    2052091

Replying To jobber:
"If a Leinster team wins tier 2 they will play the Leinster round robin the following year.However if Kerry win they have to play off with the bottom Munster team to go up."


This is where it gets confusing. I had originally thought it was as you say regarding Kerry but Motion 2, which was passed, states:

Promotion/Relegation

The winners of the new Tier 2 Championship shall replace the bottom team in the Leinster or Munster Championships, as appropriate, in the following year.

see link

There's no reference there to Kerry being treated differently.

Cork's motion 7, which did refer to Kerry, was defeated.

So that would suggest it's straight promotion/relegation between Munster and Tier 2.

The media are saying though that it's as you said with a play-off involving Kerry but I can't see where that was decided? Clarification is needed from the GAA. There were so many variations being bandied about, as well as some poorly phrased reports, that there's real confusion.

CeachtPeile (Cavan) - Posts: 103 - 01/10/2017 12:07:44    2052096

Galway minors should be in Leinster, not playing off against teams that need a second bite at the cherry......this is unfair. Galway hurlers all in or not at all.

suckvalleypaddy (Galway) - Posts: 1669 - 01/10/2017 12:21:57    2052098

thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1741 - 01/10/2017 12:26:50    2052100

I am as confused as everyone else here. Reading todays papers I get the impression that only three of the five teams in Leinster and Munster are going to qualify for the quarter finals / semi finals. It would seem a strange decision that tier 2 teams can play a preliminary q/f when four tier 1 teams will already be knocked out. Only 3 teams from Munster 5 can reach the q/f. ? Am I correct ?

loughree (Westmeath) - Posts: 66 - 01/10/2017 12:40:20    2052104

It would be a cod if Kerry had to have a play off with the 5th placed Munster team. They'd never get into the McCarthy Cup proper if that's the case. But it would also be ridiculous to demote a strong Munster county and replace them with Kerry cos Kerry would only be hammered the following year by the 4 other Munster teams. If Kerry do win Tier 2, for practical reasons they'd have to be accommodated in Leinster, either with a play off with the 5th placed Leinster team or replacing the 5th placed Leinster team in a direct swap. Kerry are far from being strong enough yet to hold their own against any Munster team but they'd have a reasonable chance of beating the 5th placed Leinster side and not doing too badly in Leinster

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1903 - 01/10/2017 12:53:41    2052107

None of these new formats actually address the key problem and until those in power have the balls to scrap the outdated provincial system we will continue to tamper with the championship format

890202 (Wexford) - Posts: 1278 - 01/10/2017 13:09:23    2052108

maroondiesel (Mayo) - Posts: 1196 - 01/10/2017 13:33:13    2052111

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 01/10/2017 13:44:57    2052112

Soul destroying stuff for Laois, Westmeath, Kerry, Carlow and Antrim.

I think Westmeath are the biggest loser of those five considering their form over the last couple of seasons:

2015 lost by 1-24 to 1-16 to Wexford
2015 Limerick had to dig deep in the second half to beat them

2016 hammered Offaly
2016 lost by 9 to Limerick and closer than the previous year.
2016 beat Kilkenny in the under 21 championship

2017 put it up to Offaly again
2017 gave Tipp the mother and father of all frights in Thurles
2017 put it up to Kilkenny again in the under 21.

Westmeath need more games against Offaly, Tipp, Limerick etc to continue improving.

Just even researching their results you can see the incremental improvement year by year. Their misfortune is that their goalkeeper had an off day against Offaly this year and that is why they are dropping down instead of Offaly. Offaly will get whipped in Leinster next year. Westmeath would have given Dublin and Wexford good games. Sure Kilkenny and Galway have too much for them but that would only have brought the on in the long run.

Killarney.87 (Tipperary) - Posts: 2513 - 01/10/2017 14:59:10    2052118