Replying To arock:  "Nothing sinister in it, this was decided last January apparently, not many people in the GAA know the rules of the competitions they watch (or care until they see the opportunity to put on the tinfoil hat). They get outraged only when its pointed out by two lads in the RTE studio. BTW the operation of the league is pathetic, the greatest danger to the GAA is the GAA, nonsensical rules (the mark free kick!), Black cards and revised Yellows. But the competiton structures are rubbish, wait until you see the way home advantage is spread around in championship, shocking."