Meath Forum

Meath Hurling Championship New Format

(Oldest Posts First)

Big Change to the Format passed. One group has all the teams that made the knockout stage last year. So group A is Kiltale, Kilmessan, Kildalkey, Killyon, Dunboyne Ratoath. Top 2 from that are into a semi, 3rd and 4th into a quarter.
Group B is then the other teams (Trim, Blackhall, Boardsmill, Longwood, Dunderry, Navan). Top 2 from this go into the quarter final.
From next year on the bottom team in group A is relegated to group B and the top team in group B goes up. Bottom team in group B relegated to intermediate

LeitrimRoyal99 (Meath) - Posts: 1454 - 08/01/2018 20:39:31    2067407

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I think as changes go this is a pointless one. What benefit is it to the championship apart from having a better quality games in one group and poor games that no neutral supporters will go to in the other group. Basically it seems to me that the county board are just trying to maximise tickets sales in group A and it would not surprise me if at least half the games from group A are held in Pairc Tailt. After the first three games most teams will know in Group A where they will be operating at the end and will back off as they prepare for knock out games.

The only other way of looking at how this benefits anyone is the county players who will get more quality game time against better opposition.

Irish_downunder (Meath) - Posts: 630 - 09/01/2018 07:47:23    2067447

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Fancy kilmessan to do untold in the new format think playing against better quality opposition brings out the best in us. I reckon we will top the group and go on to win jubilee you can believe that

thekillercrow (Meath) - Posts: 26 - 09/01/2018 10:48:27    2067463

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This is a very good idea. Everyone in group B believes they can get to the quarter finals. This usually would never be the case.
Everyone in group A needs to be on their game from the get go, or risk not qulaifying. If you don't qualify 4th out of 6 teams, you have no business being in the quarter finals.

Dunderry didn't bother fielding against Kiltale as there was no point, they knew they would get hammered and were missing 8 starters. The previous year they won the first round in Boardsmill, and knowing they hadn't a hope of progressing out of the group, half the team went to America travelling and the whole thing fell apart. They will genuinely believe they can get to a quarter final this year talking to one or two of the lads.

overthehill72 (Meath) - Posts: 334 - 09/01/2018 12:54:13    2067494

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This is great for the weaker teams who struggle with numbers year in year out at least they now have a realistic chance of a quarter final spot and get 5 competitive games under their belts which can only improve hurling

Hurlguest (Meath) - Posts: 3 - 09/01/2018 13:58:43    2067512

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This same format was proposed I guess five or six years ago and was shot down. It was a good idea then and is still a good idea.

A better format would be to reduce the Senior Championship to eight (8) teams (and Intermediate to 8 as well) two groups of four with top two qualifying for s/finals. Bottom teams to play off to decide relegation. However I think clubs would not vote for this, so best settle for the new format. It would also be good idea where double headers are possible to have a mixture of group A & B games.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1061 - 09/01/2018 16:02:37    2067538

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Replying To Irish_downunder:  "I think as changes go this is a pointless one. What benefit is it to the championship apart from having a better quality games in one group and poor games that no neutral supporters will go to in the other group. Basically it seems to me that the county board are just trying to maximise tickets sales in group A and it would not surprise me if at least half the games from group A are held in Pairc Tailt. After the first three games most teams will know in Group A where they will be operating at the end and will back off as they prepare for knock out games.

The only other way of looking at how this benefits anyone is the county players who will get more quality game time against better opposition."
This is an excellent opportunity for the "weaker" clubs in the county to set up and develop by playing matches against clubs of similar stature. Club players in these weaker clubs get meaningful Championship games and at least have a goal of progressing to a knock out stage so training should be more enjoyable and more driven than ever before in these clubs. The stronger clubs benefit as well, every round will be quality games, and the stronger clubs also do struggle with players focusing and committing to training too with so many weak/one-sided games normally in group stages, this won't be the case now. This stucture change was driven by several Hurling meetings last year and it's great to see all hurling clubs willing to support and experiment with change for the good of hurling within this county.

Redsalltheway (Meath) - Posts: 116 - 09/01/2018 17:07:11    2067554

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Replying To thekillercrow:  "Fancy kilmessan to do untold in the new format think playing against better quality opposition brings out the best in us. I reckon we will top the group and go on to win jubilee you can believe that"
Just so I'm clear, this is the same Kilmessan who you said deliberately didn't win the group last year and ended up getting tanked by Kiltale in the semis which they were blessed to even get to? :)

Good change of format. I think the Dunderry farce of last year forced the county board's hand. For us, to get 4th would be massive but I think we'll struggle to remain in group A.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1362 - 10/01/2018 09:43:21    2067610

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Replying To Ratoath Royal:  "Just so I'm clear, this is the same Kilmessan who you said deliberately didn't win the group last year and ended up getting tanked by Kiltale in the semis which they were blessed to even get to? :)

Good change of format. I think the Dunderry farce of last year forced the county board's hand. For us, to get 4th would be massive but I think we'll struggle to remain in group A."
Reply to Ratoath Royal: There was no farce with Dunderry last year from the panel of 18 that played BHGaels there was 12 players that could take the field against Kiltale because of injury and suspension.

blowin27 (Meath) - Posts: 32 - 10/01/2018 10:59:23    2067624

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To be fair if you only have a panel of 18 for the senior championship when you can use 5 subs then maybe you shouldn't be competing at senior level.

Foley91 (Meath) - Posts: 418 - 10/01/2018 11:52:14    2067633

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Replying To Foley91:  "To be fair if you only have a panel of 18 for the senior championship when you can use 5 subs then maybe you shouldn't be competing at senior level."
That's a ridiculous comment. With 18 you would be OK for intermediate or junior!!

We are all here to keep hurling going in the county. I am sure Dunderry are trying their best to get their playing numbers up like every other club in the county

canalend87 (Meath) - Posts: 2 - 10/01/2018 12:06:19    2067634

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Replying To blowin27:  "Reply to Ratoath Royal: There was no farce with Dunderry last year from the panel of 18 that played BHGaels there was 12 players that could take the field against Kiltale because of injury and suspension."
With all due respect, I'm not even just talking about the walkover (and it does not look good when a team gives a walkover in a senior championship game regardless of the background), I'm also talking about Dunderry losing to Killyon by nearly 50 points. Both of these instances (among others) forced the county board to change things for 2018.

Ratoath Royal (Meath) - Posts: 1362 - 11/01/2018 10:11:01    2067761

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Teams who are "struggling to keep the game alive in the area" and have "only 18 players " are fine and well and should be supported.

They shouldn't be in a countys senior championship though.

I know dunderry are getting a kicking but I've no idea how anyone can defend keeping teams senior who give walkovers and take massive pastings when they play good teams. Beating boardsmill, rathmolyon, clann na nGael etc. Doesn't make a senior team.

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1643 - 11/01/2018 10:59:29    2067774

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I don't really see the point of this to be honest. Effectively you now have a Senior A, a Senior B and an Intermediate championship. Why not just reduce the number of senior teams to 8 or 10 and make a better intermediate championship. The weaker sides still get to play teams of their own level, with the prize of winning an intermediate championship, instead of the prize of getting beaten in a senior quarter final which is what is likely to happen this year.
It is a bit silly that a club has to play a minimum of 7 matches to win a championship that only contains 12 teams.

anfearbeag (Meath) - Posts: 1134 - 12/01/2018 21:42:23    2068055

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Typical from lads on this page. Last year everyone agreed after the Dunderry farce that a change was badly needed then when there is a change some still complain.
Personally I think it's a great change. More competitive games and hopefully no more 50 point beatings. The team that win the championship have played everyone to win it. Hopefully the county board is now capable of running the championship off without major delays between games and fixes venues that are able to host double headers.

hurlinglad15 (Meath) - Posts: 36 - 19/01/2018 08:06:43    2069199

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Any idea when the draw is for the IHC and JHC?

RR (Meath) - Posts: 139 - 19/01/2018 20:00:44    2069355

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Replying To RR:  "Any idea when the draw is for the IHC and JHC?"
All draws to be made yet.....the new format Senior Championship will still have to have a draw.

MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1061 - 20/01/2018 11:25:11    2069424

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Replying To MillerX:  "All draws to be made yet.....the new format Senior Championship will still have to have a draw."
Aye, figured as much. Hopefully soon, should be some crackers in SHC

RR (Meath) - Posts: 139 - 20/01/2018 13:23:39    2069445

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