Some complain lower division finals are a waste of time as both are already promoted. In hurling then the winner of the final doesn't even gain promotion!
As some teams have 1 less home game. Top 2 in a final is fair on that score. The semi-finals are a bit much though.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8739 - 23/04/2014 15:58:35    1579134

I think some posters make a good point about having lower div sfs in NFL - two sf winners go up; keeps league more interesting for more teams, lessens dead rubbers.
As an alternative, I would like 3 up/ 3 down - so Div 2 winner auto up, next 4 playoff for 2 promotion places, and bottom 3 down. Tighter and more exciting than current NHL Div 1a ?

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3214 - 24/04/2014 16:54:46    1579564

Leave it alone now, it's back to the original 1,2,3 & 4 format and should never have changed from that, all this 1a and 1b malarkey was a total mess, if you want semi finals in the lower divisions ok but otherwise leave it alone, two up two down format works fine and the hurling league would go well to go with this structure too

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3747 - 24/04/2014 17:04:16    1579570

In the NHL, weaker teams need help to develop - that's why I'd have a 'Super 14' in the NHL, with teams 1, 2, 3, 4 and 12, 13, 14 in 1A, avoiding each other,
but playing all those in 1B, teams ranked 5 to 11. This ensures a middle-ranked team for both the strongest
and weakest counties, reducing one-sided games. After all have played 7 matches, have 6 or 8 of the 14 going to
the knockout stage (in lieu of 3 or 4 from each group). The strongest match ups are reserved for this KO stage
(eg KK v Tipp).

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3214 - 24/04/2014 19:09:57    1579641

To Legendzxix -
1) NFL finalists go up/ NHL final winner might not- good point - solution should be table topper is champ and promoted; and next two 2 or 4 playoff for 1 or 2 additional promotion spots.
2) Final to make up for one less home game - the final won't address this, if both finalists have played one less, or one more home games - better solution, adopt the Mexican or Colombian league
format = play everyone once and then one team (say, local rival)for a 2nd time, so each team plays an equal number of matches, home and away.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 3214 - 24/04/2014 19:24:49    1579646