National Forum

Late County Finals - Split Season

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Club championships from August to January have a lot on the line. A very active part of the split season. Inter county then has leagues in February and March which aren't so intense. The football provincial championships in April and early May then aren't much better. The top teams are usually already qualified for the championship.
Whether the motion at the end of February to extend the inter county season by two weeks is really needed is debatable. If the football finals are played in the second weekend of August, it means the football semi finals will be a week later in July.
Arguably the national leagues should start a week later in line with that. Mid August to end of December could be for county and provincial club championships. 4 weekends in January then for the All Ireland club championships.
Either way, the club season should not be squeezed out."
Given Jan weather, should that month be reserved for 'warm up, friendly' pre-season games only (pre-season competitions scrapped) - and maybe, have a 6-round league Feb-Mar?

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3375 - 11/02/2026 14:39:44    2655940

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Replying To omahant:  "Given Jan weather, should that month be reserved for 'warm up, friendly' pre-season games only (pre-season competitions scrapped) - and maybe, have a 6-round league Feb-Mar?"
You can't have a 6 round league.
It still takes 7 rounds to play a 7 team Division.
The Leagues are absolutely fine thanks.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 367 - 11/02/2026 16:43:45    2655954

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Replying To omahant:  "Given Jan weather, should that month be reserved for 'warm up, friendly' pre-season games only (pre-season competitions scrapped) - and maybe, have a 6-round league Feb-Mar?"
I think pre-season competitions scrapped is tied in with having the football final on the second weekend of August. Your still going to have pre-season challenge games anyway. If the football semi finals are a week later than current and all rounds prior to that are also one week later, the current league schedule can start a week later and finish a week later.
Depends where that extra week is prioritised. Would seem wrong to squeeze out the club season by two weeks to extend the national league season. Any negative change like that should be met with strong push back by clubs.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9434 - 13/02/2026 00:11:39    2656153

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Kerry GAA will vote against a proposal to move the All-Ireland football final back a fortnight to the second Sunday in August, unless they get assurances that there will still be a 16-week window thereafter to complete their club and county championships.

Cork will vote against the proposed two-week extension after their club delegates voted against the proposed change.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9434 - 18/02/2026 10:41:57    2657093

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I beiieve this is the thin end of the wedge. Ultimately Croke Park want all competitions, club and county completed in the same calendar year. That would really shorten the club championship window if the AIF's are moved out by 2 weeks. Would counties be prepared to complete their club championhsips from mid August to mid October (approx 8 weeks). I beleive that would have a massive negative impact across the board. Thats what is coming down the track!!!

Brendanj (Westmeath) - Posts: 72 - 18/02/2026 12:07:37    2657108

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moving the all ireland back two weeks only works if the county champs of All ireland finalist are allowed enter club championships at provincial finals stage - no ones voting for that

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1680 - 18/02/2026 12:55:51    2657119

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Replying To Brendanj:  "I beiieve this is the thin end of the wedge. Ultimately Croke Park want all competitions, club and county completed in the same calendar year. That would really shorten the club championship window if the AIF's are moved out by 2 weeks. Would counties be prepared to complete their club championhsips from mid August to mid October (approx 8 weeks). I beleive that would have a massive negative impact across the board. Thats what is coming down the track!!!"
My understanding is that completing all in the calendar year is no longer on the agenda. The All Ireland club finals in January are very unlikely to move.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9434 - 18/02/2026 13:50:14    2657131

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HQ fronted by Tom Ryan are the main ones pushing for this and what HQ wants they usually end up getting Congress convinced to vote on what they want. However I can't see it getting the required vote at the upcoming vote so they'll have to do more convincing and reach a compromise before next year's Congress.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3840 - 18/02/2026 14:04:26    2657135

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Replying To Brendanj:  "I beiieve this is the thin end of the wedge. Ultimately Croke Park want all competitions, club and county completed in the same calendar year. That would really shorten the club championship window if the AIF's are moved out by 2 weeks. Would counties be prepared to complete their club championhsips from mid August to mid October (approx 8 weeks). I beleive that would have a massive negative impact across the board. Thats what is coming down the track!!!"
Would be nice if all competitions could be completed in the calendar year.
Present situation is a decent compromise as only a few clubs have to play in January, are delighted to have to of course.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 367 - 18/02/2026 14:04:40    2657136

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Replying To Gaa_lover:  "HQ fronted by Tom Ryan are the main ones pushing for this and what HQ wants they usually end up getting Congress convinced to vote on what they want. However I can't see it getting the required vote at the upcoming vote so they'll have to do more convincing and reach a compromise before next year's Congress."
I think you're hitting the nail on the head. Of the proposed two week extension - it seems one week might used for the league and the other week having a weekend off between the All Ireland finals.
Extending the national league timeframe should not be a reason to cut the club season. The clubs season has championships from August to January. Seems wrong to squeeze that for the national leagues.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9434 - 18/02/2026 14:14:26    2657139

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