Replying To legendzxix: "Both are needed. The new rules to encourage more attacking football than all this safe lateral passing. The championship needs to have jeopardy. That bit of bite. A lot of counties have no real jeopardy in the provincial championship. The group stage then has no real jeopardy either."
I agree both are needed - I think you said it right; that bit of bite is missing in the earlier rounds. I think bringing back that bit of bite would help the game as much as any rule change.
My Swiss System/URC-style AI League-Championship has characteristics of Nations League A & B - both 16 teams, with '4 groups of 4', prior to a 'top 8' playing for the major prize and tier-crossover/lower tier ties for lesser prizes.
Maybe the existing AIC group stage could adopt some of these elements, like:
Tier 1 'top 2s' to Sam KO QFs Tier 1 '3rds' v Tier 2 '1sts' to Shield QFs (all 8 go/stay up) Tier 1 '4ths' relegated Tier 2 '2nds v 3rds' in Tailteann Cup QFs (all 8 stay down)
Again, 24 get a KO tie but there is jeopardy given a 'three-tier' AIC.
The Allianz Football League has a consistent format. So much so that the league has been elevated to providing qualifiers. The hurling championship has a consistent format now, bar the covid years. The old Christy Ring format is tried and tested. Kerry had the format this year. Down have had that format as well. I saw some mention that provincial finalists will have home advantage in Round 1. No word on any particular advantage for winning a provincial title. Do the GAA not want to offer an incentive for Dublin to win a Leinster final?!
Replying To legendzxix: "The Allianz Football League has a consistent format. So much so that the league has been elevated to providing qualifiers. The hurling championship has a consistent format now, bar the covid years. The old Christy Ring format is tried and tested. Kerry had the format this year. Down have had that format as well. I saw some mention that provincial finalists will have home advantage in Round 1. No word on any particular advantage for winning a provincial title. Do the GAA not want to offer an incentive for Dublin to win a Leinster final?!"
Especially now that Paul Flynn thinks the Dubs will be challenged in Leinster following Brian Fenton's departure. I'm not convinced.
Replying To legendzxix: "The Allianz Football League has a consistent format. So much so that the league has been elevated to providing qualifiers. The hurling championship has a consistent format now, bar the covid years. The old Christy Ring format is tried and tested. Kerry had the format this year. Down have had that format as well. I saw some mention that provincial finalists will have home advantage in Round 1. No word on any particular advantage for winning a provincial title. Do the GAA not want to offer an incentive for Dublin to win a Leinster final?!"
Maybe seeing as crowds at Dublin games in Croke Park were way down this year.