Is the earlier Championship a success or failure?

[From the Bunker]

This weekend has the rugby semis and the second last weekend of the Premier League ahead of the champions league final. Lads will watch any kind of sport.  The GAA are nuts.

Yep, rugby and soccer in centre stage now, GAA left behind.

Even apart from that the GAA have fixed virtually no football next weekend but squashed all 4 Provincial football finals and the Tailteann Cup first round games all on the same weekend. I think the Champions League final also on that day. Madness. Tailteann will get no coverage or attendances that weekend.

GAA in a world of their own where they think the common GAA supporter does not look to be entertained by other sports.

[thewobbler]

This weekend has the rugby semis and the second last weekend of the Premier League ahead of the champions league final. Lads will watch any kind of sport.  The GAA are nuts.

Yep, rugby and soccer in centre stage now, GAA left behind.

Even apart from that the GAA have fixed virtually no football next weekend but squashed all 4 Provincial football finals and the Tailteann Cup first round games all on the same weekend. I think the Champions League final also on that day. Madness. Tailteann will get no coverage or attendances that weekend.

GAA in a world of their own where they think the common GAA supporter does not look to be entertained by other sports.

GAA moaners are in a world of their own too.

There was always championship matches in May.

Always.

[seafoid]

This weekend has the rugby semis and the second last weekend of the Premier League ahead of the champions league final. Lads will watch any kind of sport.  The GAA are nuts.

Yep, rugby and soccer in centre stage now, GAA left behind.

Even apart from that the GAA have fixed virtually no football next weekend but squashed all 4 Provincial football finals and the Tailteann Cup first round games all on the same weekend. I think the Champions League final also on that day. Madness. Tailteann will get no coverage or attendances that weekend.

GAA in a world of their own where they think the common GAA supporter does not look to be entertained by other sports.

GAA moaners are in a world of their own too.

There was always championship matches in May.

Always.

I am old enough to.remember all Ireland semifinals in AUGUST.

[seafoid]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/darragh-%C3%B3-s%C3%A9-gaa-losing-out-as-other-sports-reach-their-endgames-1.4874956

But the issue remains that the provincial championships as it is now has become boring and, while we are not marketing it properly, there's also the point our product isn't good enough to compete with the other sports – in the dodgems – as we speed through May.
The Munster football final will be Kerry versus Limerick or Tipperary in Killarney in a few weeks and that's going to be a three o'clock game because the Champions League Final is on and, with the games we're producing, we can't compete with that. The GAA are dodging going head-on because the product isn't good enough.

[Redhand Santa]

The idea behind the split season was a good one but I don't think the timings work for it to be a great success. The point was the county stuff would be wrapped up by July and then club championships into full swing for the rest of the summer. But most counties will want to finish their leagues first and risk a diluted championship in the summer with so many good players away to America or travelling for the summer. This means half of the summer is lost in terms of big games at both club and county level.

The county season is also up against a lot of other sports to gain media attention, unlike the summer time when it had a relatively free run.

Looking at the new system next year (which I'm not sold on) I would personally change it up. Play the league and provincials first finishing up by May. Then let the clubs have the players for 4 weeks (the way it was anyway) to get a start at their leagues. This will allow time to plan the fixtures for the new inter county championship. It could then start mid June and be wrapped up by the end of August.

[seafoid]

Just in the EPL this weekend, the winners, 4th place and last relegation place have to be decided. Compare that to the level of excitement for Dublin vs Meath last Sunday.

[Farrandeelin]

Sorry, haven't replied. Fair play to Dublin county board. Our football championship doesn't start until the first weekend in September.

[Rossfan]

Obviously allowing for the post AIF celebrations and recovery Farr

[Farrandeelin]

Obviously allowing for the post AIF celebrations and recovery Farr

method to their madness alright...(if only) 

[Jell 0 Biafra]

Just in the EPL this weekend, the winners, 4th place and last relegation place have to be decided. Compare that to the level of excitement for Dublin vs Meath last Sunday.

Umm... we had quite an interesting last day in our league competition, or did you forget?

[seafoid]

Just in the EPL this weekend, the winners, 4th place and last relegation place have to be decided. Compare that to the level of excitement for Dublin vs Meath last Sunday.

Umm... we had quite an interesting last day in our league competition, or did you forget?

We did. But the GAA put its own games in direct competition with soccer and rugby by choosing to start the championship in April. Maybe the football product isn't strong enough for that.

[Rossfan]

Should we only have Inter County Gaelic games when we're absolutely sure no other sport is taking place anywhere?
We'd never play at all if we're trying to avoid other sports.

[seafoid]

Should we only have Inter County Gaelic games when we're absolutely sure no other sport is taking place anywhere?
We'd never play at all if we're trying to avoid other sports.

No. But we shouldn't run the championship when we are in  competition with soccerball and rubby and then leave the months of August and September to other sports.
GAA should be the summer.

[Rossfan]

By "GAA" do you mean inter Co Championships or a mixture of inter Co and Club Championships?
Wasn't the operation of the latter system what had everyone moaning about fixtures, setting up CPA etc?

[Eire90]

Soccer is global sport thats is played throughtout the year  so gaa would be in competition with it any time of the year really and up against a major championship every 2 years (exemption this year because the world cup in november)