National Forum

Late County Finals - Split Season

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "Waterford exited the hurling championship on the 25th May - nice and early as usual.
They played the first round of the club championship on the 10th August - 11 weeks later.
They weren't in a rush to get started anyway, whatever about finishing."
And will be finished waiting 7 weeks for opposition in the club championship.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 3168 - 20/08/2025 13:28:55    2632835

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Replying To Seanfan:  "To whom exactly?
There's already too much blather and ***** like up for the match! I just watch the games when they're on ( unless Ros are playing).
2 weeks between Qtrs and Semis and between Semis and Finals is plenty for hype generation in the Counties involved"
True too. Personally I don't mind the Finals being on when they are on.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16915 - 20/08/2025 13:41:35    2632836

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Replying To legendzxix:  "The main intercounty season complaint was the provincial championships starting the week after the league finals. It seems that will be solved next year with the All Ireland championship having one round less.
Completing the All Ireland club championships in the calendar year seems to have been abandoned. If that was solved, there would be a good break for Christmas until the leagues start at the end of January."
It's not that it's been abandoned, it just wasn't a realistic goal in the 1st place.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 16915 - 20/08/2025 13:42:33    2632837

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The club championship should be played before the county championships with the team from the previous year representing. This would get them ready to defend their county title. Then shut down everything at the end of October. Scrap the national league and start the inter-county season at the end of March with two division and playoffs. If provinces want a championship go for it. Either pick the top teams in national championships or just fit it in. The current system is ridiculous despite the love in with it and is in reverse. Teams not getting to play in the McCarthy and other teams who would not hold a candle to them in. That is the reality of what we have. Proper promotion and relegation can be achieved also. That is my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 3168 - 20/08/2025 18:57:36    2632873

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Replying To Canuck:  "The club championship should be played before the county championships with the team from the previous year representing. This would get them ready to defend their county title. Then shut down everything at the end of October. Scrap the national league and start the inter-county season at the end of March with two division and playoffs. If provinces want a championship go for it. Either pick the top teams in national championships or just fit it in. The current system is ridiculous despite the love in with it and is in reverse. Teams not getting to play in the McCarthy and other teams who would not hold a candle to them in. That is the reality of what we have. Proper promotion and relegation can be achieved also. That is my opinion and I'm sticking to it."
I'm halfway with you.
provincial & all Ireland club could easily start In July and be over at end of September.
Provincial could be seeded based on county progress in Ireland.
Club who progress past rd 1 of provincial can be given a bye in county championship until final stage.


As for intercounty
Combine London, ULster & Munster (15 teams) into 1 group (then split into A&B)
Combined Connacht & Leinster (16 teams) into anther and do the same exercise

Kerry, Cork, Donegal, Tyrone, Armagh, Monaghan, Derry, Cavan/Down in SAM Group 2
Mayo, Galway, Dublin, Meath, Roscommon, Kildare, Louth, Offaly, Westmeath/Sligo in SAM Group 1

7 rounds + provincial finals - top 2 from each province based on head to head results against teams from own province
The top 2 in each group go to All Ireland q finals - next 3 form each group, plus provincial winners (or RUp if winner qualified in top 2) into prelim 1 finals


7 group matches, 1 provincial final, 3/4 rounds of knock out football - 14 matches in season - over 22 weeks.

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1565 - 22/08/2025 16:29:45    2633133

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "I'm halfway with you.
provincial & all Ireland club could easily start In July and be over at end of September.
Provincial could be seeded based on county progress in Ireland.
Club who progress past rd 1 of provincial can be given a bye in county championship until final stage.


As for intercounty
Combine London, ULster & Munster (15 teams) into 1 group (then split into A&B)
Combined Connacht & Leinster (16 teams) into anther and do the same exercise

Kerry, Cork, Donegal, Tyrone, Armagh, Monaghan, Derry, Cavan/Down in SAM Group 2
Mayo, Galway, Dublin, Meath, Roscommon, Kildare, Louth, Offaly, Westmeath/Sligo in SAM Group 1

7 rounds + provincial finals - top 2 from each province based on head to head results against teams from own province
The top 2 in each group go to All Ireland q finals - next 3 form each group, plus provincial winners (or RUp if winner qualified in top 2) into prelim 1 finals


7 group matches, 1 provincial final, 3/4 rounds of knock out football - 14 matches in season - over 22 weeks."
I do think progress has been made but a long ways to go. Actually football may be a little bit better. The intent should be the best teams are taking part in the National competition. Hurling is way off the mark here. The argument that they are through their province does not hold water when teams from a secondary competition are in. I have no grudge against these teams. In fact I don't like how they get relegated after one season. It will do nothing for Kildare to be sent back down. They are on a high and a chance to lift the boat. The argument of big beatings wrong. Cork got a hefty beating off Tipp. Is that how they should be judged. In fact a few big beatings at the top table this year.
McDonagh teams should win promotion before going into the McCarthy cup. Promotion should be based on two years in the top two. Relegation from the McCarthy cup should be two years bottom finish. An extra team from time to time but deal with that. Maybe going to Munster every second year.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 3168 - 22/08/2025 17:49:37    2633146

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