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How Do We Take Hurling On From Here

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Replying To legendzxix:  "That would be a Munster matter. They could either match Leinster with top 2 only or else facilitate 2nd v 3rd if that is their preference. Provinces should have some leeway to get the more competitive structure that suits them.
The Joe Mac is adopting a 2nd v 3rd semi final from next year. Ring and lower will still have top 2, except for the facilitation of New York."
It would be more than a Munster matter. The format of the All-Ireland Championships (including what happens the second- and third-placed team in each provincial championship) is set out in Part 1 of the Rule Book. That could only be changed at Congress, by delegates from the entire Association, rather than by Munster themselves. Similar to how the change in the Joe McDonagh Cup that you mention had to be approved at Congress.

In any case, question remains - if it was the case the runner-up in the supposedly weaker province was guaranteed and All-Ireland semi-final spot, but the runner-up in the supposedly stronger province wasn't, how do you think that would go down?

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3427 - 25/03/2026 14:56:36    2663114

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It's grand as it is! Best structure they've had since end of straight knockout. That's my take on it.

You won't bring 'weaker' counties up by lowering the standard of what is the elite level. No one gains from that.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 4108 - 25/03/2026 15:33:54    2663132

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Get refs to pull overcarrying absolutely assiduously, and get them to do their best to eradicate 'throwball'. Those two applications would 'take hurling on' no end from it's current state.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4624 - 25/03/2026 15:40:04    2663133

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "It would be more than a Munster matter. The format of the All-Ireland Championships (including what happens the second- and third-placed team in each provincial championship) is set out in Part 1 of the Rule Book. That could only be changed at Congress, by delegates from the entire Association, rather than by Munster themselves. Similar to how the change in the Joe McDonagh Cup that you mention had to be approved at Congress.

In any case, question remains - if it was the case the runner-up in the supposedly weaker province was guaranteed and All-Ireland semi-final spot, but the runner-up in the supposedly stronger province wasn't, how do you think that would go down?"
A question to be directed at the Munster Council if they were adamant on retaining 2nd v 3rd. Top 2 only will suit Leinster if they are brave enough to push for that game changer to really light up their championship. Sin é.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9579 - 25/03/2026 16:01:48    2663138

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "A lad i know from Wexford always refers to it as the Bob O Keeffe. He says it stopped being the Leinster Championship when Galway were let in. Im not sure if Antrim came in at same time or not but he only ever referenced Galway. Hes still very against it Iwhile think it was a good move for the championship he has a point when he says its not the leinster championship anymore. Then you added the 6th team and it became a lesser competition in my view so I call it the Bob O Keeffe now too."
For the record, I think Galway played in Munster for a few years in the 1960s so using similar lines of logic, the Munster Championship wasn't really the Munster Championship back then

ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 1007 - 25/03/2026 16:36:24    2663147

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Replying To bloodandbandage:  "BTW - Absolute madness having Dublin/Clare on in the same venue with Cork/Lim for league final. Surely, Thurles would have made more sense. I appreciate these decisions are probably made well in advance of the final, but how about the application of some common sense for a change? Obviously, Clare are very happy."
Are you saying you expected better? The Munster counties call all the shots. They were never going to drag anybody but Dublin the whole width of the country.
Whatever chance they had to get Dublin supporters (albeit a small but committed bunch) or Dublin clubs to throw on buses for youngsters for a match in Portlaoise, there is not a hope in hell of them bringing busloads to Limerick.
GAA don't care about promoting the game outside of the traditional counties.
It was ever this way though, nothing has or will ever change until the Leinster counties start to grow a bit of backbone.

ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1574 - 25/03/2026 16:41:58    2663150

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Replying To Tadhg2020:  "A lad i know from Wexford always refers to it as the Bob O Keeffe. He says it stopped being the Leinster Championship when Galway were let in. Im not sure if Antrim came in at same time or not but he only ever referenced Galway. Hes still very against it Iwhile think it was a good move for the championship he has a point when he says its not the leinster championship anymore. Then you added the 6th team and it became a lesser competition in my view so I call it the Bob O Keeffe now too."
Pretty sure the Bob O'Keefe Cup thats currently used has only been used since around the turn of the Millennium. It used to be some English Horse Racing Cup?
Bob O'Keefe was from Kilkenny originally, won an AI playing for Laois in his mid 30s, and was Uachtaran before WW2.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18908 - 25/03/2026 17:03:50    2663156

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Leinster currently:
1, 2, 3, off, 4, 5, off, FINAL, off, AI QF, off, AI SF.

Leinster with top 2 only getting out of the group:
1, 2, off, 3, off, 4, off, 5, off, FINAL, off, AI SF.

Munster and Leinster finals could both be held on Sundays. All 6 Leinster counties playing up until the second weekend of June, four weeks before All Ireland semi finals. No month of May exit.

Concerns currently around low crowds for Leinster finals. Having to get top 2 to get out of Leinster would add to Leinster final intrigue. A solution for many problems.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9579 - 25/03/2026 17:50:38    2663167

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Replying To ExiledInWex:  "Are you saying you expected better? The Munster counties call all the shots. They were never going to drag anybody but Dublin the whole width of the country.
Whatever chance they had to get Dublin supporters (albeit a small but committed bunch) or Dublin clubs to throw on buses for youngsters for a match in Portlaoise, there is not a hope in hell of them bringing busloads to Limerick.
GAA don't care about promoting the game outside of the traditional counties.
It was ever this way though, nothing has or will ever change until the Leinster counties start to grow a bit of backbone."
Or until the Leinster counties start to grow a bit of a challenge and start reaching National finals!!

Why would you bring 3 Munster counties to a venue in the east of Leinster??

Goreylad1985 (Wexford) - Posts: 19 - 25/03/2026 18:33:27    2663177

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "But having Kerry in there would also make it more intense? If Kerry win Joe Mac - and best of luck in that - then they should be promoted to Munster with either bottom team relegated or extended to six. Last would surely be acceptable."
Kerry aren't in the Joe Mc. Thats why the kerryman wants it extended to 8.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 120 - 25/03/2026 19:47:51    2663185

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Replying To legendzxix:  "That's already been ruled on. Joe Mac winner determines which province has 6 teams. If Kerry ever win the Joe Mac - Munster will have 6 and Leinster will have 5 for a year."
Are you sure about thst? Thats a decision for the munster council afaik and im not aware of that decision being made.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 120 - 25/03/2026 19:49:08    2663187

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Replying To ElGranSenor:  "For the record, I think Galway played in Munster for a few years in the 1960s so using similar lines of logic, the Munster Championship wasn't really the Munster Championship back then"
They did and they left without winning a game afaik. Im not sure why you brought it up but im not against Galway playing in Bob o keeffe. I thought it was good for the competition and still do. Its the 6th team that weakened it and its standing imo.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 120 - 25/03/2026 19:51:45    2663188

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Replying To Goreylad1985:  "Or until the Leinster counties start to grow a bit of a challenge and start reaching National finals!!

Why would you bring 3 Munster counties to a venue in the east of Leinster??"
I actually agree with Shane McGrath on this. The hurling league finals( all of them) are just as important as the football league finals. They take qualifying for and are national competitions. They all should be played in Croke Park. The players earned the right to play there. It shouldn't be about anything else.

Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 120 - 25/03/2026 20:21:58    2663194

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Leinster currently:
1, 2, 3, off, 4, 5, off, FINAL, off, AI QF, off, AI SF.

Leinster with top 2 only getting out of the group:
1, 2, off, 3, off, 4, off, 5, off, FINAL, off, AI SF.

Munster and Leinster finals could both be held on Sundays. All 6 Leinster counties playing up until the second weekend of June, four weeks before All Ireland semi finals. No month of May exit.

Concerns currently around low crowds for Leinster finals. Having to get top 2 to get out of Leinster would add to Leinster final intrigue. A solution for many problems."
There were only around 8000 less at the Leinster final than the Munster final last year, which wasnt bad considering one of the counties isnt even from Leinster and many supporters there have no interest in Leinster.
The 2 biggest attendances for Munster and Leinster finals over the last 10 years were both in Leinster finals.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 18908 - 25/03/2026 21:03:35    2663197

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