Replying To ElGranSenor: "IMO, the split season benefits football more than hurling given that a lot of clubs that are dual in theory are really hurling clubs that do a little bit of football here and there
Not saying it's the right or wrong option because it benefits football, just that most of these clubs will do hurling training the same week they actually have a football match
The format where the top 3 go through, 4th plays 5th, and 6th goes straight to relegation is an improvement on what we had although I still think we can do better than this. I think we could do with fewer rounds because there are enough games as things stand but if we are going to do 9 rounds of hurling, then the Aussie double-elimination structure would be better e.g. 1st plays 2nd from the other group with the winner going straight through to the SFs and the lose then playing the winner of 3rd vs 4th in the QFs
Would personally prefer 8 rounds rather than 9; would rather 1st goes straight through to the SFs, with 2nd playing 3rd in the QFs (If you come 4th in your group after 5 games, I'm not sure you should feel entitled to be in the knockout stages)"
Like the sound of that format. There is a real reward for finishing 1st.
Being predominantly hurling orientated county anyone on hurling side will do what they think is best for hurling . Anyone on football side will do what's best for football . A small minority will do what's best for both with compromise if allowed . Clubs will do what's best for them. Outside Coaches will do whats best for them and their prospects of success . County board will do what's best for mostly hurling Players want what's best for them and their lives (without the players buy in nothing and I mean nothing will improve so no matter what we should be listening to them) Everyone has their own agenda and idea of what best for the game but mostly whats best for their success . So yes we ll go with this new format for now until its decided yiu know what I think hurling will improve if we do this instead . Reading between the lines it means our prospects will improve. It will be a perennial problem of coming up with a new better format You cant bring in a hurling first outsider to maybe advise what's best format as his agenda is hurling only . Do we just play both codes in the county and enjoy them for what they are and forget our obsession with being perennial contenders intercounty . Hoping that if county championships are seriously contestd we might just get a good crop of players capable of competing intercounty . Everyone is trying to get format to improve the standard or are they just working on whats best for their agenda . Pikeman again games at 16 and 18 are basically practice matches until championship starts after intercounty u17 ends and leaving cert over . How many walkovers were given in the dev leagues . No finals .either . Was nt hat long ago both ages had 3 games cgzmpionship before intercounty started . Would this still be better and give more playes a chance to put their hand up . County minors play practice matches and possibly 15 to 20 of the extended squad are only making up the numbers . Too much emphasis on intercunty at u17 why are we competitive even most years
@formertownie - re. Minor & U16 games, I was just replying to the poster who thought there might be no matches at those age groups at all until end June/early July, to let him know that there are matches after all.
The Leagues between March and May are second fiddle to the championships every bit as much as the All County Leagues at adult level are second fiddle to the adult championships, but a few points:
- at least they're providing matches in both codes, and lads are continuing to train for those matches. - to the best of my knowledge, county squad players who weren't making the matchday 24 were released back to their clubs last year to play in those matches. But I stand to be corrected on this one. - also to the best of my knowledge, they plan to bring back league finals this year.
And yes, there used to be a system where there'd be two or maybe even three championship games in each code around March and early April, but couple of points on that:
- hasn't happened since before Covid. Last year of it was 2019. - inter-county at the time didn't start until well into April. Now county minor football starts end of March. If you're to allow the county team even a fortnight together before their first match, you'd need these four to six rounds of minor club championship done by middle of March, which means starting them around middle February. - used to be regular complaints about long lay-off with no games between end March/early April and what used to usually be middle of July before club matches resumed. Now at least there are league matches to keep lads occupied.
Like so much else, it's not ideal. But not much is! And again, was really just replying to the poster who thought there might be no U16 or Minor club matches at that time of year at all.
Replying To Formertownie: "Being predominantly hurling orientated county anyone on hurling side will do what they think is best for hurling . Anyone on football side will do what's best for football . A small minority will do what's best for both with compromise if allowed . Clubs will do what's best for them. Outside Coaches will do whats best for them and their prospects of success . County board will do what's best for mostly hurling Players want what's best for them and their lives (without the players buy in nothing and I mean nothing will improve so no matter what we should be listening to them) Everyone has their own agenda and idea of what best for the game but mostly whats best for their success . So yes we ll go with this new format for now until its decided yiu know what I think hurling will improve if we do this instead . Reading between the lines it means our prospects will improve. It will be a perennial problem of coming up with a new better format You cant bring in a hurling first outsider to maybe advise what's best format as his agenda is hurling only . Do we just play both codes in the county and enjoy them for what they are and forget our obsession with being perennial contenders intercounty . Hoping that if county championships are seriously contestd we might just get a good crop of players capable of competing intercounty . Everyone is trying to get format to improve the standard or are they just working on whats best for their agenda . Pikeman again games at 16 and 18 are basically practice matches until championship starts after intercounty u17 ends and leaving cert over . How many walkovers were given in the dev leagues . No finals .either . Was nt hat long ago both ages had 3 games cgzmpionship before intercounty started . Would this still be better and give more playes a chance to put their hand up . County minors play practice matches and possibly 15 to 20 of the extended squad are only making up the numbers . Too much emphasis on intercunty at u17 why are we competitive even most years"
Agree on a lit but i think there are a lot more people who want to good for both than what you think. The obsession with the club championship as something that will make us a better intercounty team is unreal. We are talking about an adult championship here, if the ground work is not done at underage no adult championship will help us improve. The championship should be a balance of what is best for the players and supporters, dead rubber games generate little interest but players would rather still be in the championship than out however as a player you also have to accept that if you have 5 games and beaten in all you don't deserve to be still in with a shout, it doesn't put you in the right frame of mind at the start or during the championship. Over 95% of the players are club only players and the bedrock of the GAA.
The draws took place after the Carlow game. Any new coaches involved with teams this year to look out for? Group A of senior hurling championship looks tough, especially on Fethard but wouldn't put it past them picking up a couple of wins they have some very good players now. Group B all team will be happy with there side.