Replying To 2maroonjerseys: "Merit is needed to win the championship not just because they're successful in the past means nothing. Championship is designed by nature for the best teams to win. If anything this new system has shown has much coasting was done in the previous format. Do enough to get to the knockout and then go flat out. It's been remarked on here that lomans look flat unfit in games. Probably they haven't adjusted to the new system however flawed it is. 4 draws tells its own story regarding the table. No doubt whichever two don't get through will be clamouring to get the old system back next yr. If anything I'm surprised they've all been caught napping regarding getting out off the group. Real bite has been added to the group stages and it's only now we can see that. Being the 4th best team in group A and not getting out should be painful and focus the mind on dog eat dog championship football not happy clappy let's all get medals football. Someone will always be unhappy with formats it's up to teams to get to grips with it straight away and play what's in front of you. Who knows the whole thing might change totally again next yr."
The new system is atrocious. As was expected by everyone that had actually thought it through.
If you want to prevent coasting by having 3 from each group, then fair enough. But the groups have to be equally strong in that case. Personally I don't think it would be as good as the format we had, but I can see the argument for it.
This weekend has half the teams in the championship with nothing to play for. Shamrocks, Caulry, Tubberclair, Athlone, Moate, Killucan all know their fate. And barring a bizarre outcome you can add CK to that list too. So more than half the teams, realistically, have nothing on the line in the last game.
Replying To dec: "Was at double header in the Bridge, nice setup there now with the new pitches, a PA system and electronic scorebaoard needed. Athlone deserved winners over Kilucan, took control in the last 10-15 mins and won handy enough in the end, Garrycastle fully deserrved winners, they always seem to have the measure of Shamrocks, in my opinion Shamrocks management has been poor and very slow to make changes, Dolan cleaned up around the middle yesterday they tried nothing to stop him, defenders being left on for 60mins when being roasted, Shamrocks have a habit of running into traffic and getting turned over, some of the older players are finished, had no impact yesterday, very poor in the forward line, positives that they have blooded so many young players. Garrycastle will give the Downs a good game but The Downs will have to much. And after seeing a good few championship games The Downs will win it handy enough."
Its a 50/50 shoot out with the Downs and Garrycastle.....all on the day.......the big question is , will Caulry bend the knee and allow Lomans to win by 16 point.....cause that will tip the scales to Lomans should the Downs lose.....or does anyone know at this stage what the permutations would be on the final day with results in both games?