Proposals to change the All Ireland Football structures

[Kuwabatake Sanjuro]

Like all other sporting codes such as Rugby, Soccer etc, Gaelic football has been entering into a new era of MONEY. Money has changed the game of Soccer in England, grass root football is diminishing. Most of the clubs have imported players from Europe, Africa, South America and Asia. The player pool to buy from is unlimited. Rugby although new to the Money game, is already picking up pace. New franchised clubs have been created in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Players are coming also from abroad, and the local smaller clubs are diminishing.

Unfortunately in places like Kildare and the midlands Rugby is far from diminishing and is taking over from GAA clubs in some areas. This is mainly due to the way that they have logical competition structures in place and their facilities have improved dramatically thanks to Money granted by the IRFU.

Also in soccer in England grass roots isn't diminishing, the opposite in fact.
http://www.thefa.com/news/my-football/2015/jan/football-participation-on-rise

[Rossfan]

GPA saying players may boycott the new Div 4 Competition.

[twohands!!!]

GPA saying players may boycott the new Div 4 Competition.

They were saying that they would definitely boycott it.

County teams directly affected by the introduction of a B football championship have agreed unanimously that they will not participate in any new structure if this format is approved by Congress later this month.

Fill statement at the link

https://www.gaelicplayers.com/WhatsHappening/LatestNews/TabId/86/ArtMID/421/ArticleID/475/SFC-Proposals-for-GAA-Congress.aspx

Can't help think this is a serious blow to the GAA officials. It does beg the question did those who proposed the B championship structure ask any of the teams/players involved? Surely Congress won't be as daft as to go ahead and approve this?

[AZOffaly]

I thought we were told all these players were only mad keen to play in a competition they could win.

[drici]

Division 4 Counties May Reject Hope and Excitement

Aogán Ó Fearghail:

"And that's a proposal that will go before Central Council,"

"I believe it's a good one. I think it would offer a lot of hope and excitement for Counties in Division 4."

"Let's see what Central Council's view on that is."

http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0113/759946-gaa-president-new-champions-structure-division-4/

[Rossfan]

If the winners were let enter the race for Sam in the Round before the Quarter Finals it might have had some chance.....
I see the Add Stiùrthóir says in his report that if people don't vote for change at this Congress it's time to put all suggestions for change to bed.

[rrhf]

If the winners were let enter the race for Sam in the Round before the Quarter Finals it might have had some chance.....
I see the Add Stiùrthóir says in his report that if people don't vote for change at this Congress it's time to put all suggestions for change to bed.

the clamour for change dosent mean a bad idea should be accepted!
Our decision making has been poor for a while now.  From the simple stupidity of Hawkeye in one ground /GPA in Cork park offices/ new National GAA Centre of excellence in Dublin / Over resourcing of Dublin/ Underresourcing of other counties, Lack of effort in Belfast, Fenway hurling classic, Overstaffing and beurocracy, €5 to take a 4 year old into Croke Park, the lack of a sensible rule book and discipline procedure, The pulverising of the club game, the club footballer and the club unit itself by taking it's fixtures schedules and stamping over them, taking the sponsors and money out of clubs, Within 10 years this will completely demoralise the club's membership base, the grassroots and ultimately leave the county game with thousands less travelling to games.  Can we have a strategy first and leadership second please, because leadership are making a balls of this.   

[armaghniac]

If the winners were let enter the race for Sam in the Round before the Quarter Finals it might have had some chance.....

Putting teams back in the qualifiers is all very fine, but there is no reason to believe they can do well there and all it would mean is that one team would draw a soft draw, so affecting the course of the competition.

[6th sam]

If the winners were let enter the race for Sam in the Round before the Quarter Finals it might have had some chance.....

Putting teams back in the qualifiers is all very fine, but there is no reason to believe they can do well there and all it would mean is that one team would draw a soft draw, so affecting the course of the competition.

Would disagree. I think a concerted AI IFC campaign with guaranteed entry into say AI SFC round of 12, would liven up the AI championship. This would be the controversial bit, only Leinster and ulster winners get a guaranteed SFC qf place . The remaining 6 qf places are decided between the Munster & Connacht winners, the Leinster & ulster runners up, 3 A qualifiers and 1 B qualifier . With the Munster & Connacht winners & Leinster & ulster runners up having guaranteed  home games. This would reward provincial winners/finalists. It would also redress the current provincial imbalance against Leinster & Ulster . 

[Kuwabatake Sanjuro]

101 people in attendance for the Carlow Antrim game last week, at least with the GPA proposal a guaranteed home game against  top 8 side every year might draw a crowd and promote interest in the games.