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Holding Draw Before Provincial Finals A Mistake

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So GAA will hold draws tomorrow for group stages.

I think it's a big mistake as it's going to tell teams that by winning a province they could end up in a harder group. Just another problem with this new blitz style tournament and devaluing trophies.

Put a gap of two weeks between round 1 and Leinster final and hold draw the Monday morning and fixtures set Monday afternoon.

Imagine the motivation for Donegal v Armagh if winner knew they'd end up in a group with Galway, Dublin and Derry and loser ended up in with Louth, Roscommon and Cavan. This is a distinct possibility and GAA thereby have again weakened another great product.

I'm assuming but could be wrong that Dublin should not be able to end up in same group as Meath but open to correction. Again a once in a generation Leinster final better not be ruined with winners looking at a group of death as prize of victory.


See details below.


The GAA have confirmed the seedings for the Group Stage Draws in the Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cups, which will take place at 1.30pm on Wednesday next, April 30th and will be broadcast live on GAA.ie and the GAA YouTube channel.

The confirmed seedings are:

ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

First/second seeds: Clare/Kerry; Galway/Mayo; Armagh/Donegal; Louth/Meath.

Third seeds: Dublin, Monaghan, Roscommon, Tyrone.

Four seeds: Cavan, Cork, Derry, Down.

TAILTEANN CUP

First seeds: Fermanagh, Kildare, Offaly, Westmeath.

Second seeds: Laois, Limerick, Sligo, Wexford

Third seeds: Antrim, Carlow, Leitrim, Wicklow.

Fourth seeds: Longford, London, Tipperary, Waterford.

shaggykev (Donegal) - Posts: 312 - 29/04/2025 11:47:13    2605307

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Replying To shaggykev:  "So GAA will hold draws tomorrow for group stages.

I think it's a big mistake as it's going to tell teams that by winning a province they could end up in a harder group. Just another problem with this new blitz style tournament and devaluing trophies.

Put a gap of two weeks between round 1 and Leinster final and hold draw the Monday morning and fixtures set Monday afternoon.

Imagine the motivation for Donegal v Armagh if winner knew they'd end up in a group with Galway, Dublin and Derry and loser ended up in with Louth, Roscommon and Cavan. This is a distinct possibility and GAA thereby have again weakened another great product.

I'm assuming but could be wrong that Dublin should not be able to end up in same group as Meath but open to correction. Again a once in a generation Leinster final better not be ruined with winners looking at a group of death as prize of victory.


See details below.


The GAA have confirmed the seedings for the Group Stage Draws in the Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cups, which will take place at 1.30pm on Wednesday next, April 30th and will be broadcast live on GAA.ie and the GAA YouTube channel.

The confirmed seedings are:

ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

First/second seeds: Clare/Kerry; Galway/Mayo; Armagh/Donegal; Louth/Meath.

Third seeds: Dublin, Monaghan, Roscommon, Tyrone.

Four seeds: Cavan, Cork, Derry, Down.

TAILTEANN CUP

First seeds: Fermanagh, Kildare, Offaly, Westmeath.

Second seeds: Laois, Limerick, Sligo, Wexford

Third seeds: Antrim, Carlow, Leitrim, Wicklow.

Fourth seeds: Longford, London, Tipperary, Waterford."
Yes it's a terrible idea having draw down to logistics to get hotel booking etc.

Even time of draw stupid 1.30 Wednesday least have it in evening when most arnt working

They could throw it on at 7pm before champions league on Rte 2.

It's like they are purposely trying to not market it.

It's like someone standing outside Parnell Park All Ireland final day trying to sell hats flags headbands.

jm25 (Galway) - Posts: 1476 - 29/04/2025 12:03:40    2605314

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Replying To jm25:  "Yes it's a terrible idea having draw down to logistics to get hotel booking etc.

Even time of draw stupid 1.30 Wednesday least have it in evening when most arnt working

They could throw it on at 7pm before champions league on Rte 2.

It's like they are purposely trying to not market it.

It's like someone standing outside Parnell Park All Ireland final day trying to sell hats flags headbands."
The GAA and marketing/promotion don't go together.
A new improved football game, the most open AI in years should be a marketing promotion dream.
Instead we have the draws hidden away on a Wednesday lunchtime.....
Can they not get some of the sponsoring companies to do promotion etc.

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 2268 - 29/04/2025 12:11:56    2605318

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Replying To Seanfanbocht:  "The GAA and marketing/promotion don't go together.
A new improved football game, the most open AI in years should be a marketing promotion dream.
Instead we have the draws hidden away on a Wednesday lunchtime.....
Can they not get some of the sponsoring companies to do promotion etc."
Heard a bit on a pod this morning what with legal letters people are getting who use GAA in their brand name as it's a trademark

jm25 (Galway) - Posts: 1476 - 29/04/2025 13:11:09    2605350

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This is the third year in a row for this conversation. The GAA are saying it is down to logistics so that teams can book accommodation etc. if needed.
We'll have to wait until this time next year to know if they'll do something similar for the Round 1 draw of the new format.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8751 - 29/04/2025 13:18:53    2605354

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No choice due to logistics

Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 403 - 29/04/2025 13:27:35    2605358

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Replying To legendzxix:  "This is the third year in a row for this conversation. The GAA are saying it is down to logistics so that teams can book accommodation etc. if needed.
We'll have to wait until this time next year to know if they'll do something similar for the Round 1 draw of the new format."
That doesn't hold water as teams only get six days notice on prelim quarter finals and quarter finals.

The whole thing is a mess and then they wonder why attendances are down.

Just another reason why provinces need to be moved to start of season and have a league and All Ireland with minimum two weeks between every match for each team especially knock out rounds

shaggykev (Donegal) - Posts: 312 - 29/04/2025 13:28:44    2605363

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@shaggykev (Donegal) - Posts: 307 - 29/04/2025

Simple solution - draw a Prov Final to each group!

There are other anomalies - 3rd/4th seeds have a 25% chance of drawing Clare (and an almost a guaranteed KO berth) but 2nd seeds have to avoid Clare (and draw a 3rd seed instead (all tough).
We could go on....

Separately, I like many, have bought into the 2026 format being better - more streamlined with one less round.

BUT - I can imagine the 2025 group stage being the best yet - so will I experience "buyer's remorse" in the end?

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3222 - 29/04/2025 13:35:25    2605369

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Replying To shaggykev:  "That doesn't hold water as teams only get six days notice on prelim quarter finals and quarter finals.

The whole thing is a mess and then they wonder why attendances are down.

Just another reason why provinces need to be moved to start of season and have a league and All Ireland with minimum two weeks between every match for each team especially knock out rounds"
prelim quarter finals and quarter finals are just 4 matches each weekend much easier to arrange.

The_analyser (Roscommon) - Posts: 4021 - 29/04/2025 13:49:13    2605378

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Gonna get abuse for this but Donegal fans have lost the run of themselves. I get the excitement with McGuinness back but yis are in no position to be indifferent to an Ulster title or sneer at 4th seeds. You've won nothing in ages but seem to have decided you're favourites for Sam and are winning games in 2nd gear. Saying it now as I'm not the type to say I told ya so when it goes wrong.

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12295 - 29/04/2025 13:53:07    2605380

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Replying To shaggykev:  "So GAA will hold draws tomorrow for group stages.

I think it's a big mistake as it's going to tell teams that by winning a province they could end up in a harder group. Just another problem with this new blitz style tournament and devaluing trophies.

Put a gap of two weeks between round 1 and Leinster final and hold draw the Monday morning and fixtures set Monday afternoon.

Imagine the motivation for Donegal v Armagh if winner knew they'd end up in a group with Galway, Dublin and Derry and loser ended up in with Louth, Roscommon and Cavan. This is a distinct possibility and GAA thereby have again weakened another great product.

I'm assuming but could be wrong that Dublin should not be able to end up in same group as Meath but open to correction. Again a once in a generation Leinster final better not be ruined with winners looking at a group of death as prize of victory.


See details below.


The GAA have confirmed the seedings for the Group Stage Draws in the Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cups, which will take place at 1.30pm on Wednesday next, April 30th and will be broadcast live on GAA.ie and the GAA YouTube channel.

The confirmed seedings are:

ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

First/second seeds: Clare/Kerry; Galway/Mayo; Armagh/Donegal; Louth/Meath.

Third seeds: Dublin, Monaghan, Roscommon, Tyrone.

Four seeds: Cavan, Cork, Derry, Down.

TAILTEANN CUP

First seeds: Fermanagh, Kildare, Offaly, Westmeath.

Second seeds: Laois, Limerick, Sligo, Wexford

Third seeds: Antrim, Carlow, Leitrim, Wicklow.

Fourth seeds: Longford, London, Tipperary, Waterford."
Only counties due to meet each other in a provincial final will be precluded from being in the same group, so Meath as seeds 1 or 2, could be in the same group as Dublin seeded 3.

sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 874 - 29/04/2025 14:03:50    2605384

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Replying To Breffni40:  "Gonna get abuse for this but Donegal fans have lost the run of themselves. I get the excitement with McGuinness back but yis are in no position to be indifferent to an Ulster title or sneer at 4th seeds. You've won nothing in ages but seem to have decided you're favourites for Sam and are winning games in 2nd gear. Saying it now as I'm not the type to say I told ya so when it goes wrong."
Who said anything about Donegal winning Sam?

I just said it's kinda joke that winning your competition could put you into a harder path in All Ireland.

Same for all four provinces, not just Ulster.

shaggykev (Donegal) - Posts: 312 - 29/04/2025 14:13:53    2605390

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Replying To shaggykev:  "Who said anything about Donegal winning Sam?

I just said it's kinda joke that winning your competition could put you into a harder path in All Ireland.

Same for all four provinces, not just Ulster."
"Imagine the motivation for Donegal v Armagh if winner knew they'd end up in a group with Galway, Dublin and Derry
and loser ended up in with Louth, Roscommon and Cavan. This is a distinct possibility and GAA thereby have again weakened another great product."

What exactly is the implication here? Your motivation to win Ulster shouldn't be conditional

Breffni40 (Cavan) - Posts: 12295 - 29/04/2025 14:52:00    2605403

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Replying To shaggykev:  "Who said anything about Donegal winning Sam?

I just said it's kinda joke that winning your competition could put you into a harder path in All Ireland.

Same for all four provinces, not just Ulster."
I suppose the point is an Ulster Champ could deplete the tank prior to the 'level' AIC group stage (while Kerry etc is fresh).

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3222 - 29/04/2025 15:00:54    2605406

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Having the draw before all the provincial finals are over is a complete joke… what's their hurry..? But then again this is the GAA so it's hardly surprising that they make a hames of it… Can these clowns get even the simplest of things right…?

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3764 - 29/04/2025 15:28:46    2605421

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They should play provincials during break weeks of the league with no qualifying or seeding basis from provincials for Tailteann or All Ireland. It's daft having Provincial Finalist seedings based on reaching a final but there are different levels and number of teams per province. Seed the All Ireland solely on league position and Tailteann Cup winners from previous year. Or go back to 4 provincial winners getting a bye to quarter final. Have knockout rounds from remaining 12 to get to quarter final, provincial losers bye to quarter final playoff. In 2025 any provincial finalists taking their eye off winning their province, by looking at potential group opponents, aren't confident and focussed on going far in the All Ireland Series. I think very few teams think that way but plenty of supporters on forums can look for negatives when there's loads of positives when confidence is high.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7926 - 29/04/2025 15:45:26    2605427

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Replying To sligo joe:  "Only counties due to meet each other in a provincial final will be precluded from being in the same group, so Meath as seeds 1 or 2, could be in the same group as Dublin seeded 3."
Think it is between Galway and Kerry for Sam tbh.

Donegal should make the semi, and after that, it depends on the draw.

Armagh and Tyrone will be there or thereabouts.

And Mayo - well you never know...

Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4171 - 29/04/2025 16:43:10    2605453

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "Having the draw before all the provincial finals are over is a complete joke… what's their hurry..? But then again this is the GAA so it's hardly surprising that they make a hames of it… Can these clowns get even the simplest of things right…?"
Given that it is a hugely successful sporting organisation that reaches in to every part of the country I would suggest to you that The GAA, those who have administered the organisation in the past and those who administer the organisation today get an awful lot right.

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6178 - 29/04/2025 16:50:19    2605457

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Replying To Greengrass:  "Given that it is a hugely successful sporting organisation that reaches in to every part of the country I would suggest to you that The GAA, those who have administered the organisation in the past and those who administer the organisation today get an awful lot right."
When they are holding a draw before the provincial finals which makes no sense I would suggest to you that they have got this very wrong…. and when you get something as simple as this wrong I would suggest to you that they get an awful lot wrong…

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3764 - 29/04/2025 17:00:02    2605461

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "When they are holding a draw before the provincial finals which makes no sense I would suggest to you that they have got this very wrong…. and when you get something as simple as this wrong I would suggest to you that they get an awful lot wrong…"
You have all the answers. I think they should have the draw after the provincial finals, but it's not the biggest issue in the world.
As sporting organisations go, the GAA is incredibly well run. The amount of moving parts from grassroots all the way up to national level is incredible.
Have they made mistakes? Plenty. Anyone trying to run an organisation of that scale and deal with challenges which are often external, is going to make mistakes.
It has been a massive success story, and as an amateur sporting organisation, it has achieved an incredible amount. We have sports which are so intertwined with their communities.
I'm sure you would have done a better job though.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2296 - 29/04/2025 17:58:47    2605492

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