National Forum

Motion Of 4 National League Games To Play

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To legendzxix:  "BREAK WEEKS
2 of 7 weekends listed. Re-read previous comments.

National league should not mean inter county players being unavailable for a few county league rounds. That part of the season needs to be re-evaluated. Clontarf are honing in on an area that has to be addressed. Clubs have been too passive in accepting a flawed arrangement."
Replying To legendzxix: "1. Jan 25 to Apr 26 is 14 weekends.
2. 7 weekends for county league but 5 of the 7 would be required for the Clontarf motion if players are guaranteed 3 club championship games.
3. Not for county league. Explained already. Realism v idealism."

No mention of break weeks here in your last post on this?
Agree the current arrangement isn't ideal, for clubs or counties, but the alternative is to go back to what we had in the 90s. Knockout Championships, county League games spread out over the winter, maybe a back door for losing finalists as there was in the late 90s.
What we had in the noughties started stretching the whole thing thin for clubs, then what we had in the teens was killing the club game altogether.
A thing to consider is that income from gate receipts will be massively down if we go back to the intercounty calendar we had in the 90s, although I suppose the 50 million euro currently being spent on intercounty teams would also be reduced significantly.
On the other hand Spectators, and therefore treasurers, like the round robin format of the Munster hurling championship, so you will get resistance to going back to the 90s there. All the Football provincials are knockout anyway. And someone has yet to come up with a satisfactory arrangement for the AIFC. Way too many games to eliminate too few counties. Supporters voted with their feet.
So it all circles back to the current system being the best possible. An awful lot of lads thought about all this for years, probably more able administrators than the 2 of us Pat. And ehat we have is what they came up with, and all the stakeholders agreed. So I guess we be best leave it all as it is.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18553 - 24/02/2026 11:47:24    2658327

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "BREAK WEEKS
2 of 7 weekends listed. Re-read previous comments.

National league should not mean inter county players being unavailable for a few county league rounds. That part of the season needs to be re-evaluated. Clontarf are honing in on an area that has to be addressed. Clubs have been too passive in accepting a flawed arrangement."
Replying To legendzxix: "1. Jan 25 to Apr 26 is 14 weekends.
2. 7 weekends for county league but 5 of the 7 would be required for the Clontarf motion if players are guaranteed 3 club championship games.
3. Not for county league. Explained already. Realism v idealism."

No mention of break weeks here in your last post on this?
Agree the current arrangement isn't ideal, for clubs or counties, but the alternative is to go back to what we had in the 90s. Knockout Championships, county League games spread out over the winter, maybe a back door for losing finalists as there was in the late 90s.
What we had in the noughties started stretching the whole thing thin for clubs, then what we had in the teens was killing the club game altogether.
A thing to consider is that income from gate receipts will be massively down if we go back to the intercounty calendar we had in the 90s, although I suppose the 50 million euro currently being spent on intercounty teams would also be reduced significantly.
On the other hand Spectators, and therefore treasurers, like the round robin format of the Munster hurling championship, so you will get resistance to going back to the 90s there. All the Football provincials are knockout anyway. And someone has yet to come up with a satisfactory arrangement for the AIFC. Way too many games to eliminate too few counties. Supporters voted with their feet.
So it all circles back to the current system being the best possible. An awful lot of lads thought about all this for years, probably more able administrators than the 2 of us Pat. And what we have is what they came up with, and all the stakeholders agreed. So I guess we be best leave it all as it is.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18553 - 24/02/2026 11:56:25    2658329

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "BREAK WEEKS
2 of 7 weekends listed. Re-read previous comments.

National league should not mean inter county players being unavailable for a few county league rounds. That part of the season needs to be re-evaluated. Clontarf are honing in on an area that has to be addressed. Clubs have been too passive in accepting a flawed arrangement."
Seems that what you're talking about is shelving the split season. Something that was the sole purpose of the CPA, and that 90% of GPA members support.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3363 - 24/02/2026 12:25:15    2658341

Link

1/25 NFL 1
2/1 CLF 1
2/8 NFL 2
2/15 CLF 2
2/22 NFL 3
3/1 CLF 3
3/8 NFL 4
3/15 CLF 4
3/22 NFL 5
3/29 CLF 5
4/5 NFL 6
4/12 CLF 6
4/19 NFL 7
4/26 CLF 7

At least two of the county league rounds could be rest weekends, as only 5 county league rounds are needed for the Clontarf motion. National league finals scrapped.
No point splitting hairs over minor details. The GAA want to extend the inter county season by two weeks. Kerry's response is for the Munster club championship to be trimmed by two weeks to make up the gap. The minor details will be discussed at congress.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9482 - 24/02/2026 12:28:12    2658342

Link

Replying To Pikeman96:  "Seems that what you're talking about is shelving the split season. Something that was the sole purpose of the CPA, and that 90% of GPA members support."
The championship part of split season is fine. Players being available for national league but unavailable for county leagues should be reassessed.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9482 - 24/02/2026 14:43:12    2658371

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "1/25 NFL 1
2/1 CLF 1
2/8 NFL 2
2/15 CLF 2
2/22 NFL 3
3/1 CLF 3
3/8 NFL 4
3/15 CLF 4
3/22 NFL 5
3/29 CLF 5
4/5 NFL 6
4/12 CLF 6
4/19 NFL 7
4/26 CLF 7

At least two of the county league rounds could be rest weekends, as only 5 county league rounds are needed for the Clontarf motion. National league finals scrapped.
No point splitting hairs over minor details. The GAA want to extend the inter county season by two weeks. Kerry's response is for the Munster club championship to be trimmed by two weeks to make up the gap. The minor details will be discussed at congress."
1-The clontarf motion doesn't specify a need for any intercounty player to play any club league games. It now just says 8 games.
2-There are no breaks in the above schedule you put up.
3-What about the club players who are training in the muck but don't get to play games at the weekend becauselads who are away with the county just come in and take their places?
4-Where are you going to find enough pitches to play the early rounds?
5-When are you going to play the hurling? Alot of clubs here, and in many clubs in other counties, won't be able to field seperate hurling and football teams, especially at that time of year. Why should they change their system to suit a bunch of half gaels? Should John Mcgrath, Con Callaghan, Brian Hayes etc be made choose which code they want to play in the mud on the odd occasion there's actually a playable pitch?
6-Some counties already run their Leagues in the club window as it is, with their intercounty players playing a full part in them. Kilkenny, Tyrone etc.
7-Others like Wexford offer plenty of club championship games in their club windows. Why should these counties change this around just because some other counties can't get their act together for their clubs and provide enough games in the club window?

In summary you made the point earlier in this thread- realism v idealism. You need to take that on board yourself. In your ideal world everyone would just play Football. The reality is that plenty of lads in the country enjoy playing both hurling and football.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18553 - 24/02/2026 15:25:45    2658382

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "1/25 NFL 1
2/1 CLF 1
2/8 NFL 2
2/15 CLF 2
2/22 NFL 3
3/1 CLF 3
3/8 NFL 4
3/15 CLF 4
3/22 NFL 5
3/29 CLF 5
4/5 NFL 6
4/12 CLF 6
4/19 NFL 7
4/26 CLF 7

At least two of the county league rounds could be rest weekends, as only 5 county league rounds are needed for the Clontarf motion. National league finals scrapped.
No point splitting hairs over minor details. The GAA want to extend the inter county season by two weeks. Kerry's response is for the Munster club championship to be trimmed by two weeks to make up the gap. The minor details will be discussed at congress."
There are 3 other provinces also, 2 of which have more counties than Munster. It won't be as easy just to trim 2 weeks off to make up the gap.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18553 - 24/02/2026 15:27:39    2658383

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "The championship part of split season is fine. Players being available for national league but unavailable for county leagues should be reassessed."
Players being available for national league but unavailable for county leagues should be reassessed. - for as long as County Leagues generally run during the inter-county championship part of the split season, then any attempt like yours to have them "reassessed" to make inter-county players available for them would involve doing away with the split season in the first place.

You'd be making the inter-county player line out with the county one week, then his club the next, then back to the county, and so on.

You'd also be making the ordinary club player line out for matches in February and March, just so the county player can make up his quota. Matches that could be played on better pitches and in better conditions during April and May instead. Where's the benefit of that for the ordinary club player, that makes up more than 90% of the total playing population?

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3363 - 24/02/2026 15:29:00    2658384

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "The championship part of split season is fine. Players being available for national league but unavailable for county leagues should be reassessed."
It shouldn't be, and it won't be. Yes ideally we would go back to the way it was in the 90s, but noone wants that, not even you.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18553 - 24/02/2026 15:29:05    2658385

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "The championship part of split season is fine. Players being available for national league but unavailable for county leagues should be reassessed."
The split season is the split season. you can't have an unsplit part of a split season, it just doesn't make any sense :-D

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18553 - 24/02/2026 15:30:27    2658387

Link

Replying To Viking66:  "There are 3 other provinces also, 2 of which have more counties than Munster. It won't be as easy just to trim 2 weeks off to make up the gap."
Provincial championships can be completed over 5 weekends anyway:
1. Preliminary
2. Quarters
3. Semis
4. Break
5. Finals
That is one weekend accounted for.

I'm don't think there is a need for shaving off a second weekend. Say the championship is starting a week later because the football semi finals are moving to a week later on the current hurling final weekend - the league should start a week later. 4 weekends in January for the following:
1. All Ireland club hurling semi finals.
2. All Ireland club football semi finals.
3. All Ireland club intermediate and junior finals.
4. All Ireland club Senior hurling and football finals.

The current county championship timescale then is not impacted. They just start two weeks later, finish two weeks later, the provincial club championships shortened by 1 week and the All Ireland club series in January.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9482 - 24/02/2026 16:36:49    2658405

Link

Replying To Pikeman96:  "Players being available for national league but unavailable for county leagues should be reassessed. - for as long as County Leagues generally run during the inter-county championship part of the split season, then any attempt like yours to have them "reassessed" to make inter-county players available for them would involve doing away with the split season in the first place.

You'd be making the inter-county player line out with the county one week, then his club the next, then back to the county, and so on.

You'd also be making the ordinary club player line out for matches in February and March, just so the county player can make up his quota. Matches that could be played on better pitches and in better conditions during April and May instead. Where's the benefit of that for the ordinary club player, that makes up more than 90% of the total playing population?"
Currently county leagues are running during the inter county championships. In a discussion on inter county players being more available for their clubs - starting county leagues earlier should be explored and if there is a compromise solution.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9482 - 24/02/2026 16:41:47    2658406

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "Provincial championships can be completed over 5 weekends anyway:
1. Preliminary
2. Quarters
3. Semis
4. Break
5. Finals
That is one weekend accounted for.

I'm don't think there is a need for shaving off a second weekend. Say the championship is starting a week later because the football semi finals are moving to a week later on the current hurling final weekend - the league should start a week later. 4 weekends in January for the following:
1. All Ireland club hurling semi finals.
2. All Ireland club football semi finals.
3. All Ireland club intermediate and junior finals.
4. All Ireland club Senior hurling and football finals.

The current county championship timescale then is not impacted. They just start two weeks later, finish two weeks later, the provincial club championships shortened by 1 week and the All Ireland club series in January."
Thats still not accounting for dual clubs. Castletown and St Martins have both been in Leinster Football and Hurling Championships in the same year the last few years. Loughmore and Eire og in Munster the same. Slaughtneil in Ulster.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18553 - 24/02/2026 18:27:21    2658434

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "
Replying To Pikeman96:  "<b>Players being available for national league but unavailable for county leagues should be reassessed.</b> - for as long as County Leagues generally run during the inter-county championship part of the split season, then any attempt like yours to have them "reassessed" to make inter-county players available for them would involve doing away with the split season in the first place. You'd be making the inter-county player line out with the county one week, then his club the next, then back to the county, and so on. You'd also be making the ordinary club player line out for matches in February and March, just so the county player can make up his quota. Matches that could be played on better pitches and in better conditions during April and May instead. Where's the benefit of that for the ordinary club player, that makes up more than 90% of the total playing population?"</div>Currently county leagues are running during the inter county championships. In a discussion on inter county players being more available for their clubs - starting county leagues earlier should be explored and if there is a compromise solution."
There just won't be enough pitches to play club league games in either code in January or February. Let alone both codes.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18553 - 24/02/2026 18:29:14    2658435

Link

Replying To Viking66:  "Thats still not accounting for dual clubs. Castletown and St Martins have both been in Leinster Football and Hurling Championships in the same year the last few years. Loughmore and Eire og in Munster the same. Slaughtneil in Ulster."
There has to be compromises. The All Ireland club finals are on the same weekend. Stretching out the provincial club championships for low probability scenarios has to be looked at.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9482 - 25/02/2026 01:21:18    2658479

Link

Replying To Viking66:  "
Replying To legendzxix:  "[quote=Pikeman96:  "<b>Players being available for national league but unavailable for county leagues should be reassessed.</b> - for as long as County Leagues generally run during the inter-county championship part of the split season, then any attempt like yours to have them "reassessed" to make inter-county players available for them would involve doing away with the split season in the first place. You'd be making the inter-county player line out with the county one week, then his club the next, then back to the county, and so on. You'd also be making the ordinary club player line out for matches in February and March, just so the county player can make up his quota. Matches that could be played on better pitches and in better conditions during April and May instead. Where's the benefit of that for the ordinary club player, that makes up more than 90% of the total playing population?"</div>Currently county leagues are running during the inter county championships. In a discussion on inter county players being more available for their clubs - starting county leagues earlier should be explored and if there is a compromise solution."
There just won't be enough pitches to play club league games in either code in January or February. Let alone both codes."]Something for fixture makers to consider. The Clontarf motion of county players being available for 8 clubs games annually is good in principle. Fixture makers will have to make it work.
It seems extending the intercounty season by two weeks will be defeated. Condensing the provincial and All Ireland club championships could give an extra two weeks to county club fixture makers. 18 weeks to guarantee 8 games potentially.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9482 - 25/02/2026 01:28:11    2658480

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "
Replying To Viking66:  "[quote=legendzxix:  "[quote=Pikeman96:  "<b>Players being available for national league but unavailable for county leagues should be reassessed.</b> - for as long as County Leagues generally run during the inter-county championship part of the split season, then any attempt like yours to have them "reassessed" to make inter-county players available for them would involve doing away with the split season in the first place. You'd be making the inter-county player line out with the county one week, then his club the next, then back to the county, and so on. You'd also be making the ordinary club player line out for matches in February and March, just so the county player can make up his quota. Matches that could be played on better pitches and in better conditions during April and May instead. Where's the benefit of that for the ordinary club player, that makes up more than 90% of the total playing population?"</div>Currently county leagues are running during the inter county championships. In a discussion on inter county players being more available for their clubs - starting county leagues earlier should be explored and if there is a compromise solution."
There just won't be enough pitches to play club league games in either code in January or February. Let alone both codes."]Something for fixture makers to consider. The Clontarf motion of county players being available for 8 clubs games annually is good in principle. Fixture makers will have to make it work.
It seems extending the intercounty season by two weeks will be defeated. Condensing the provincial and All Ireland club championships could give an extra two weeks to county club fixture makers. 18 weeks to guarantee 8 games potentially."]Should be able to make 8 games in 16 weeks, never mind 18.
But thats not the point. The point is that county boards already have the power to address this. If its a problem in a particular county the clubs in that county already have enough votes to change their structures/formats in their own county to ensure more fixtures in their club window.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18553 - 25/02/2026 11:07:56    2658512

Link

Kerry across 3 championships provide a minimum of 6 club games for the club players playing county championship. Only will need two more games to meet the criteria of 8.
There are some district league games already underway in Kerry. There will be some counties tempted to use the two national league gap weekends for county league.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9482 - 25/02/2026 11:36:45    2658520

Link

Replying To legendzxix:  "Kerry across 3 championships provide a minimum of 6 club games for the club players playing county championship. Only will need two more games to meet the criteria of 8.
There are some district league games already underway in Kerry. There will be some counties tempted to use the two national league gap weekends for county league."
We in Wexford will be having Club League games on those gap weekends all right. Just as we'll also be having them on all the "non-gap" weekends as well.

What we won't be doing is asking or forcing our inter-county players to play in them. Again, that would go right against the whole concept of the split season.

Anyway, let's have a look at Kerry:
- You won the All-Ireland on July 27 last year. Give the lads a week off to celebrate, and then start your club action on the weekend of August 9/10.
- Your senior hurling final was played on August 3. Presume the lower grades were finished at same time. So, the hurling is out of the way, and you've a clear run at football.
- None of your county champions were due into Muster club championships until weekend of November 22/23. So you had until weekend of November 15/16 to get your county finals played.
- From August 9/10 to November 15/16 is fifteen weeks available for club football. Yet you could only guarantee players six club football matches in these fifteen weeks.

If you want them to have a minimum of eight, the solution lies with changing how you do things yourselves in that window. Not with trying to find a way to make lads play club matches in February.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3363 - 25/02/2026 14:23:56    2658566

Link

Knockout club football. It's the time of year for it after the standard group phase. Not all county players will be against a couple of county league games early in the year.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9482 - 25/02/2026 15:26:56    2658590

Link