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How Do We Take Hurling On From Here

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The first three editions of the Tier 2 - Christy Ring Cup had 2 groups of 5. Top 2 from each group into semi finals. Bottom teams into relegation final. They had it too good. A Kilkenny GAA President had to ruin it all.
The Tier 2 - Joe Mac should be something like that. 2 groups of 5. 2nd at home v 3rd in quarter finals. 1st at home v QF winners in semi finals. Joe Mac final as curtain raiser to All Ireland semi final.
Example groups:
A - Antrim, Westmeath, Down, Derry, Wicklow.
B - Carlow, Laois, London, Kerry, Meath.
QFs:
Westmeath v Kerry (pip London to 3rd!)
Laois v Down
SFs:
Antrim v Laois
Carlow v Kerry (shock QF win!)

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9533 - 14/03/2026 14:50:31    2661147

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Replying To legendzxix:  "The first three editions of the Tier 2 - Christy Ring Cup had 2 groups of 5. Top 2 from each group into semi finals. Bottom teams into relegation final. They had it too good. A Kilkenny GAA President had to ruin it all.
The Tier 2 - Joe Mac should be something like that. 2 groups of 5. 2nd at home v 3rd in quarter finals. 1st at home v QF winners in semi finals. Joe Mac final as curtain raiser to All Ireland semi final.
Example groups:
A - Antrim, Westmeath, Down, Derry, Wicklow.
B - Carlow, Laois, London, Kerry, Meath.
QFs:
Westmeath v Kerry (pip London to 3rd!)
Laois v Down
SFs:
Antrim v Laois
Carlow v Kerry (shock QF win!)"
The current system is fine. There is too much of an imbalance in those groups that you have up. Maybe that gives kerry a better chance of winning or something I dont know but the hurling pyramid is almost entirely merit based. That is a good thing. I get that you dont like that but it is.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 80 - 14/03/2026 18:27:20    2661163

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "The current system is fine. There is too much of an imbalance in those groups that you have up. Maybe that gives kerry a better chance of winning or something I dont know but the hurling pyramid is almost entirely merit based. That is a good thing. I get that you dont like that but it is."
Merit based is fine. Doesn't mean the current tiered breakdown is set in stone. There are Tailteann Cup semi finals in Croke Park. With the preliminary quarter finals rightly scrapped, a format where there are at least two Joe Mac semi finals should be brought in.
With home All Ireland preliminary quarter finals rightly scrapped, home Joe Mac semi finals with a good sized crowd in attendance should be the target. Needs to be a bit of consultation between HQ, Joe Mac and Ring counties on shuffling a couple of counties up to Tier 2.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9533 - 15/03/2026 08:05:57    2661210

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Merit based is fine. Doesn't mean the current tiered breakdown is set in stone. There are Tailteann Cup semi finals in Croke Park. With the preliminary quarter finals rightly scrapped, a format where there are at least two Joe Mac semi finals should be brought in.
With home All Ireland preliminary quarter finals rightly scrapped, home Joe Mac semi finals with a good sized crowd in attendance should be the target. Needs to be a bit of consultation between HQ, Joe Mac and Ring counties on shuffling a couple of counties up to Tier 2."
You can't 'shuffle teams' into being competitive at a level they are not at.

Getting rid of the preliminary quarter finals is good idea as it allows the McDonagh winners to enjoy the victory and look forward to being in senior the next year without having to be put to the sword the week afterward,

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 4079 - 15/03/2026 10:50:17    2661226

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Replying To Canuck:  "Hurling unique skills are something that requires learning like ice hockey from when you start walking. If you are not right and left handed you are not going to to excel at it. In football it is helpful to be right and left footed but not as detrimental. There are some contributory to why it does not grow outside the top counties. The biggest is public interest in the secondary competitions. The GAA do z lot of talking but little action. These secondary competition games should be played before the premier ones at the same grounds. Only give tv rights if both games are showed. Have entry tickets at a reduced cost before the so called big game. When the kids can see their team on the big stage interest will change. I know there are many other considerations but interest is where it has to start. Gaelic football has the same issues but maybe not to the same degree."
No offence meant to the poster here but if you want to grow hurling we need to get away from this thinking.

This idea that its unique, can't be learned unless you have a hurl from birth, its not possible unless you've done this or that by whatever age etc etc.

Its the same elitist message hurljng has a tendency to preach which hinders the very development of the game. Clubs hear this and say sure why bother? No point, its too late.

The message should be yes, you can hurl, anyone can hurl, you can start hurling whenever you want, its isnt this mystical achievement beset by rules of engagement, just get them playing the game and jt will grow.

Hurling loves nothing more than putting up barriers of greatness to people and wonder why we can't grow the game.

tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1625 - 15/03/2026 13:03:23    2661250

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Merit based is fine. Doesn't mean the current tiered breakdown is set in stone. There are Tailteann Cup semi finals in Croke Park. With the preliminary quarter finals rightly scrapped, a format where there are at least two Joe Mac semi finals should be brought in.
With home All Ireland preliminary quarter finals rightly scrapped, home Joe Mac semi finals with a good sized crowd in attendance should be the target. Needs to be a bit of consultation between HQ, Joe Mac and Ring counties on shuffling a couple of counties up to Tier 2."
I dont have a problem with semi finals. I do have an issue with increasing the amount of teams in the competition. There are 6 teams in each of the 4 lower tiers atm. They are generally of a similar standard in each competition. I dont see any need to mess with that. By all means have 2nd play 3rd in a semi final with the winners playing 1st in the final or even 1st v 4th and 2nd v 4rd if you must but leave the structure of the Joe, Christy, Nicky and lory alone. Its a success.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 80 - 15/03/2026 16:05:49    2661277

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "You can't 'shuffle teams' into being competitive at a level they are not at.

Getting rid of the preliminary quarter finals is good idea as it allows the McDonagh winners to enjoy the victory and look forward to being in senior the next year without having to be put to the sword the week afterward,"
Meath and Kildare were swapping places between Joe Mac and Ring for a few years. Shuffling Kerry and Meath up to Tier 2 means giving another team like London or Derry the chance to go up to Tier 2 for a year.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9533 - 15/03/2026 16:57:30    2661292

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Replying To tearintom:  "No offence meant to the poster here but if you want to grow hurling we need to get away from this thinking.

This idea that its unique, can't be learned unless you have a hurl from birth, its not possible unless you've done this or that by whatever age etc etc.

Its the same elitist message hurljng has a tendency to preach which hinders the very development of the game. Clubs hear this and say sure why bother? No point, its too late.

The message should be yes, you can hurl, anyone can hurl, you can start hurling whenever you want, its isnt this mystical achievement beset by rules of engagement, just get them playing the game and jt will grow.

Hurling loves nothing more than putting up barriers of greatness to people and wonder why we can't grow the game."
The term is hurling snobbery. Of course you can learn the sport through repetition - just like anything else (8000hrs and all that)

As for growing the game.

A lot of counties cant even grow the game outside its tradititional (former cricket playing) areas.
The hurling board in Galway are aren't trying to get a senior club in North or West Galway.

Coaching resources are a major stumbling block - adults who haven't played rarely volunteer to coach a sport they haven't played.

In an non hurling area - to start off, you have to pay 100 quid membership and €80 for equipment - more expensive than any other sport - 50% of matches are 1hr + drive away
Its a lot easier stick to football for half the price, and matches under 1hr away

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1711 - 18/03/2026 13:22:16    2661680

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Meath and Kildare were swapping places between Joe Mac and Ring for a few years. Shuffling Kerry and Meath up to Tier 2 means giving another team like London or Derry the chance to go up to Tier 2 for a year."
I wouldn't mind Dublin being "shuffled" up to a semi final but am content that they have to earn it by beating teams rather than it becoming an administrative stroke of the pen.

What exactly would the point be of having teams promoted without merit into a grade where they would be subject to demoralising batings?

The difference between Kildare and Meath and Kerry is that Kildare not only earned the right to promotion by beating teams that were once - but no longer - on the same level, but by preparing very well for what faced them in the league and what faces them in championship.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 4079 - 18/03/2026 14:17:44    2661689

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "I wouldn't mind Dublin being "shuffled" up to a semi final but am content that they have to earn it by beating teams rather than it becoming an administrative stroke of the pen.

What exactly would the point be of having teams promoted without merit into a grade where they would be subject to demoralising batings?

The difference between Kildare and Meath and Kerry is that Kildare not only earned the right to promotion by beating teams that were once - but no longer - on the same level, but by preparing very well for what faced them in the league and what faces them in championship."
It'll probably take Antrim being relegated from the Joe Mac for a tiered review to determine that the Joe Mac probably should increase to 8.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9533 - 18/03/2026 15:59:19    2661712

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Replying To legendzxix:  "It'll probably take Antrim being relegated from the Joe Mac for a tiered review to determine that the Joe Mac probably should increase to 8."
Problem there is that if you propose increaing the Joe McDonagh to 8 teams (Whilst also increasing Leinster to 8 teams), you probably have to do away with one of the Christy Ring/Nicky Rackard/Lory Meagher

Not saying that your proposals are wrong but you would need to get rid of one of those competitions to bring in your proposals

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 970 - 18/03/2026 18:52:41    2661730

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