Replying To Tadhg2020:  "[quote=Pikeman96:  "Starting new thread on this as I think maybe deserves separate consideration from other format discussions, and is probably a more realistic proposal than a 16-team All-Ireland SHC. Relates to Neil McManus's suggestion of a two-group Leinster Championship, with eight teams. Take the final standings from this year's table, and then consider the top two in the McDonagh Cup (Carlow & Laois) as numbers 7 and 8. Put 1, 3, 5, 7 into Group A, and 2, 4, 6, 8 into Group B, and what you'd get is this: <b>Group A</b> Dublin, Offaly, Wexford, Carlow <b>Group B</b> Galway, Kilkenny, Kildare, Laois Winner of Group A would play runner-up of Group B in a semi-final, and vice versa. The two bottom teams would play off in a relegation final. Consider what that would mean for the teams that would normally be the ones expected to fluctuate between this championship and the Joe McDonagh (i.e. Carlow, Kildare, Laois. And yes, I know that in the current state of affairs, Wexford are perilously close to joining that group, but we're not there yet!) Pro: Just one of them would make the drop in any given year. The others would get at least one more year in the higher tier. Con: Unless they unexpectedly made a semi-final, just three games per year that they'd actually want, rather than five. They wouldn't want to be in the other type of possible fourth match (i.e. the relegation final). Would obviously have a knock-on effect on the McDonagh Cup and other lower tier competitions too, but won't drill into that at this stage. Anyone any thoughts?"</div>I dont know why you would want this? It diminishes the Leinster hurling Championship even further. You mention Wexford not being down at joe mcdonagh cup level yet. Thats because of the insurance policy that the 6th team already gives you. This proposal is designed to protect the strong under the guise of promoting the weak. Whats so wrong with winning the Joe McDonagh Cup and being promoted. Yes you may be relegated again but you get to go again and win another All Ireland the following year if you stick together. Whats so wrong with that? For Laois, Carlow, Kildare, Westmeath, Antrm(i note you didnt include them) and others the Joe is as good as it gets for winning a medal and an All Ireland. You may not value it in wexford but I can assure you that these counties do just as Ring, Rackard and Meagher winners do too. For many this is the pinnacle of their career and that shouldn't be dismissed. We have a good system. Yes its flawed at the top end but it works very well in division 2, 3, 4 and 5. Everyone knows and understands the system because its a basic pyramid. Roscommon, where I live, are disappointed to be relegated back to Rackard after 1 year in Ring. The jump in standard was just too high this time as it was for kildare. Its not the end of the world though, as portrayed by most, as they get to go again next year. If they are good enough they will get back to CP, win another all ireland and have another go the following year. Thats how it should be."

Replying To Pikeman96:  "Starting new thread on this as I think maybe deserves separate consideration from other format discussions, and is probably a more realistic proposal than a 16-team All-Ireland SHC. Relates to Neil McManus's suggestion of a two-group Leinster Championship, with eight teams. Take the final standings from this year's table, and then consider the top two in the McDonagh Cup (Carlow & Laois) as numbers 7 and 8. Put 1, 3, 5, 7 into Group A, and 2, 4, 6, 8 into Group B, and what you'd get is this: <b>Group A</b> Dublin, Offaly, Wexford, Carlow <b>Group B</b> Galway, Kilkenny, Kildare, Laois Winner of Group A would play runner-up of Group B in a semi-final, and vice versa. The two bottom teams would play off in a relegation final. Consider what that would mean for the teams that would normally be the ones expected to fluctuate between this championship and the Joe McDonagh (i.e. Carlow, Kildare, Laois. And yes, I know that in the current state of affairs, Wexford are perilously close to joining that group, but we're not there yet!) Pro: Just one of them would make the drop in any given year. The others would get at least one more year in the higher tier. Con: Unless they unexpectedly made a semi-final, just three games per year that they'd actually want, rather than five. They wouldn't want to be in the other type of possible fourth match (i.e. the relegation final). Would obviously have a knock-on effect on the McDonagh Cup and other lower tier competitions too, but won't drill into that at this stage. Anyone any thoughts?"</div>I dont know why you would want this? It diminishes the Leinster hurling Championship even further. You mention Wexford not being down at joe mcdonagh cup level yet. Thats because of the insurance policy that the 6th team already gives you. This proposal is designed to protect the strong under the guise of promoting the weak. Whats so wrong with winning the Joe McDonagh Cup and being promoted. Yes you may be relegated again but you get to go again and win another All Ireland the following year if you stick together. Whats so wrong with that? For Laois, Carlow, Kildare, Westmeath, Antrm(i note you didnt include them) and others the Joe is as good as it gets for winning a medal and an All Ireland. You may not value it in wexford but I can assure you that these counties do just as Ring, Rackard and Meagher winners do too. For many this is the pinnacle of their career and that shouldn't be dismissed. We have a good system. Yes its flawed at the top end but it works very well in division 2, 3, 4 and 5. Everyone knows and understands the system because its a basic pyramid. Roscommon, where I live, are disappointed to be relegated back to Rackard after 1 year in Ring. The jump in standard was just too high this time as it was for kildare. Its not the end of the world though, as portrayed by most, as they get to go again next year. If they are good enough they will get back to CP, win another all ireland and have another go the following year. Thats how it should be."