Provincial Championships - is this the beginning of the end?

[Rossfan]

It would be bad for the human race

[seafoid]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2023/04/17/big-days-out-for-monaghan-clare-roscommon-and-new-york-wont-save-the-provincial-championships/

But it doesn't take a degree in physiology to see that Tyrone and Monaghan players were falling down with cramp everywhere you looked in Omagh as the game wore into its 78th minute, while their counterparts in Kerry and Dublin were at home on the couch. Structural imbalance is still written into the DNA of the competition, handing a clear advantage to the two counties least in need of it.
It could well be, therefore, that we need to enjoy this interlude of highly entertaining provincial matches while they last. The reality of modern sport is that they are an inefficiency that will likely be squeezed from the system before too long.

[Sportacus]

When a team doesn't get games they complain because they are going into the next match not battle hardened.
When a team does get games they complain about being tired.

Is there a clear view on which is right?

[Armagh18]

When a team doesn't get games they complain because they are going into the next match not battle hardened.
When a team does get games they complain about being tired.

Is there a clear view on which is right?

Ask any player snd they'd rather be playing big games than tramping up and down training fields!

[twohands!!!]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2023/04/17/big-days-out-for-monaghan-clare-roscommon-and-new-york-wont-save-the-provincial-championships/

But it doesn't take a degree in physiology to see that Tyrone and Monaghan players were falling down with cramp everywhere you looked in Omagh as the game wore into its 78th minute, while their counterparts in Kerry and Dublin were at home on the couch. Structural imbalance is still written into the DNA of the competition, handing a clear advantage to the two counties least in need of it.
It could well be, therefore, that we need to enjoy this interlude of highly entertaining provincial matches while they last. The reality of modern sport is that they are an inefficiency that will likely be squeezed from the system before too long.

I couldn't understand the logic of the Ulster counties who killed the move to break the link between the provincials and the All-Ireland.
I said at the time they would come to regret it and lo and behold.
I'd say Kerry and Dublin can't believe their luck at how things worked out.
Clerkin is well wide of the mark if he thinks the provincials are going to be changed any time soon - the provincial councils know well that if the provincial championships go, they will be in the firing line straight away.

[Eire90]

are you saying if provincial championships go then provincial councils would then go  would that then mean the club championship would become a an open competition between the country champions.


I think provincial club competions are better than inter county as you have to win multiiple games just to qualify for provincial club.

[twohands!!!]

are you saying if provincial championships go then provincial councils would then go  would that then mean the club championship would become a an open competition between the country champions.


I think provincial club competions are better than inter county as you have to win multiiple games just to qualify for provincial club.

The thing is from an admin point of view the provincial councils are pretty inefficient.
There's a lot of unnecessary dupilcation of work, roles and wasted money.
It would make far more sense to scrap the provincial councils and divide their roles between Croke Park and the counties.

The provincial senior intercounty championships are the big money-makers for the provincial councils if they get reduced in importance i.e. the link with the championship is broken/the provincials made the equivalent of the pre-seasons game in importance, the provincials flow of money would take a big hit and as soon as they have less money the importance/power of the provincial councils would decrease as well.

All the same competitions would be run - just probably more efficiently, cheaper and fairer if there were being run from Croke Park.

You could still have it run the club championships along the provincial lines - just Croke Park would be running the provincial stages as opposed to 4 different councils.
In terms of history and crowds I don't think it would make any sense to have an open draw in the club championship as you'd imagine that the crowds attending would take a bit hit with the likely longer distance to travel to games.

[Captain Obvious]

are you saying if provincial championships go then provincial councils would then go  would that then mean the club championship would become a an open competition between the country champions.


I think provincial club competions are better than inter county as you have to win multiiple games just to qualify for provincial club.

The thing is from an admin point of view the provincial councils are pretty inefficient.
There's a lot of unnecessary dupilcation of work, roles and wasted money.
It would make far more sense to scrap the provincial councils and divide their roles between Croke Park and the counties.

The provincial senior intercounty championships are the big money-makers for the provincial councils if they get reduced in importance i.e. the link with the championship is broken/the provincials made the equivalent of the pre-seasons game in importance, the provincials flow of money would take a big hit and as soon as they have less money the importance/power of the provincial councils would decrease as well.

All the same competitions would be run - just probably more efficiently, cheaper and fairer if there were being run from Croke Park.

You could still have it run the club championships along the provincial lines - just Croke Park would be running the provincial stages as opposed to 4 different councils.
In terms of history and crowds I don't think it would make any sense to have an open draw in the club championship as you'd imagine that the crowds attending would take a bit hit with the likely longer distance to travel to games.

So you actually do understand the logic .  Needed more than just Ulster in that Congress vote BTW.

[seafoid]

The super 8s were a flop because there weren't 8 decent teams and a lot of matches were lopsided.
Lopsided matches are of no interest to casual viewers . 32 county pairings may have no history.

The provincial system has fabulous rivalries built over a century. That will always stand to the provincial championships.

[Armagh18]

The super 8s were a flop because there weren't 8 decent teams and a lot of matches were lopsided.
Lopsided matches are of no interest to casual viewers . 32 county pairings may have no history.

The provincial system has fabulous rivalries built over a century. That will always stand to the provincial championships.

Aren't 16 either and Westmeath, the Connacht runners up plus maybe the Leinster runners up as well will get a tanking or 2. Although back then Roscommon took a few trimmings I think it it overall a more level playing field now and there wouldn't be a whole pile between this years division one plus Derry and Dublin if any 2 played tomorrow.   

[Eire90]

one of the reason super 8s flopped was dead rubbers

[seafoid]

one of the reason super 8s flopped was dead rubbers

It will be the same this year.

[Armagh18]

one of the reason super 8s flopped was dead rubbers

It will be the same this year.

Saying as 3 teams get out of the group surely there won't be any dead rubbers as 1 win can see you come third?

[seafoid]

one of the reason super 8s flopped was dead rubbers

It will be the same this year.

Saying as 3 teams get out of the group surely there won't be any dead rubbers as 1 win can see you come third?

There will still be a lack of balance given that there aren't 8 good teams. It will get interesting at QF stage but even there there may be hammerings.
Last year Derry/Clare and Dublin/ Cork were non events
The GAA funded Dublin without looking after the competitive interests of the other 11 counties in Leinster. It's their own fault.

[Rossfan]

There's a top 10 out there so far this year.
Might be a 9 if Donegal continue sliding.
The weakest 4 will be eliminated after the Group games while the "Preliminary Quarter Finals"* will take care of the rest.

*Are Quarter Finals now Preliminary Semi Finals?