If winter comes can spring be far behind?
Draw tonight live on RTE2 at 8.30 pm.
Longford hoping to draw anyone but Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Carlow, Louth, Wexford, Westmeath, Wicklow, Offaly tonight!
;)
Hoping for antrim myself
Please not Derry again - we're sick of hammering them.
Monaghan in the preliminary round is what i would like - as I won't be attending next year I don't mind the extra matches as it doesn't add any expense on for me!
Looking forward to the draw but the Leinster championship is now laughable with Dublin V the rest
Quote from: ck on October 19, 2017, 03:22:49 PM
Looking forward to the draw but the Leinster championship is now laughable with Dublin V the rest
Actually that would be a good game.
Cavan will be an excellent draw for everyone, even Antrim.
They should make the draw mid way through the League. Teams become obsessed with who they are playing 7/8 months before they play them in the Championship.
Quote from: rodney trotter on October 19, 2017, 03:43:12 PM
They should make the draw mid way through the League. Teams become obsessed with who they are playing 7/8 months before they play them in the Championship.
Or base it on where you finish in the league. It's not as if they have to make mad travel arrangements.
Quote from: rodney trotter on October 19, 2017, 03:43:12 PM
They should make the draw mid way through the League. Teams become obsessed with who they are playing 7/8 months before they play them in the Championship.
Ara if you did that you couldn't have an Bainisteoir trotting out the "we've had this one marked on the calendar for 8 months...." stuff!!!
I think I'm right in saying we have a revenge mission to Ruislip up first and Laythrum are heading for the Big Apple.
Anything for the GAA to get the focus back on the county teams and away from the clubs... time enough doing this in February... most borefest the football anyway
Quote from: longballin on October 19, 2017, 03:54:57 PM
Anything for the GAA to get the focus back on the county teams and away from the clubs... time enough doing this in February... most borefest the football anyway
I'd have thought it was more to do with getting a master fixtures schedule in place for the following year allowing the counties to know when they will play and in theory plan club fixtures etc around it. I'm sure the gaa would get more exposure out of the draw if it was closer to championship time but it just isn't appropriate. I don't see tonight's draw having a huge impact on the focus on club games.
Quote from: Redhand Santa on October 19, 2017, 04:00:45 PM
Quote from: longballin on October 19, 2017, 03:54:57 PM
Anything for the GAA to get the focus back on the county teams and away from the clubs... time enough doing this in February... most borefest the football anyway
I'd have thought it was more to do with getting a master fixtures schedule in place for the following year allowing the counties to know when they will play and in theory plan club fixtures etc around it. I'm sure the gaa would get more exposure out of the draw if it was closer to championship time but it just isn't appropriate. I don't see tonight's draw having a huge impact on the focus on club games.
Of course it. longballin, do you actually believe what you've just typed or are you just being mischievous?
Quote from: Esmarelda on October 19, 2017, 04:03:30 PM
Quote from: Redhand Santa on October 19, 2017, 04:00:45 PM
Quote from: longballin on October 19, 2017, 03:54:57 PM
Anything for the GAA to get the focus back on the county teams and away from the clubs... time enough doing this in February... most borefest the football anyway
I'd have thought it was more to do with getting a master fixtures schedule in place for the following year allowing the counties to know when they will play and in theory plan club fixtures etc around it. I'm sure the gaa would get more exposure out of the draw if it was closer to championship time but it just isn't appropriate. I don't see tonight's draw having a huge impact on the focus on club games.
Of course it. longballin, do you actually believe what you've just typed or are you just being mischievous?
I believe GAA has little regard for club games and view them as a necessary nuisance even to point of putting on Aussie Rules game right in middle of club championship rather than February or preferably never...
Quote from: longballin on October 19, 2017, 04:29:55 PM
Quote from: Esmarelda on October 19, 2017, 04:03:30 PM
Quote from: Redhand Santa on October 19, 2017, 04:00:45 PM
Quote from: longballin on October 19, 2017, 03:54:57 PM
Anything for the GAA to get the focus back on the county teams and away from the clubs... time enough doing this in February... most borefest the football anyway
I'd have thought it was more to do with getting a master fixtures schedule in place for the following year allowing the counties to know when they will play and in theory plan club fixtures etc around it. I'm sure the gaa would get more exposure out of the draw if it was closer to championship time but it just isn't appropriate. I don't see tonight's draw having a huge impact on the focus on club games.
Of course it. longballin, do you actually believe what you've just typed or are you just being mischievous?
I believe GAA has little regard for club games and view them as a necessary nuisance even to point of putting on Aussie Rules game right in middle of club championship rather than February or preferably never...
The vast majority of players club seasons will be finished up by November and those still playing will be happy to miss the international rules. So maybe with the odd exception (seems unlikely this year) the players playing won't miss any club games as the season is over. The games will be on tv early in the mornings so won't clash with club games. How do you see them impacting the club games? Personally I wouldn't begrudge any player going on the trip to represent their country providing they aren't missing important club games.
Ahhh Redhand you're far too nice for this forum.
You have to be moaning and running down things at all costs.
Seànie you're right about ye're bucks heading to Ruislip and the Laythrums going to NY.
The London CB might lose out on bar takings this year as their Bank Holiday weekend will be gone unless of course it's on 6th May.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 19, 2017, 05:16:20 PM
Ahhh Redhand you're far too nice for this forum.
You have to be moaning and running down things at all costs.
Seànie you're right about ye're bucks heading to Ruislip and the Laythrums going to NY.
The London CB might lose out on bar takings this year as their Bank Holiday weekend will be gone unless of course it's on 6th May.
I doubt that will effect things much. People willing to travel to London already will just take the Monday off if they don't want to come home that evening, or will just get lathered Saturday night.
People criticising the timing of the Aussie Rules really are comical.
Quote from: Shamrock Shore on October 19, 2017, 12:52:43 PM
If winter comes can spring be far behind?
Draw tonight live on RTE2 at 8.30 pm.
Longford hoping to draw anyone but Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Carlow, Louth, Wexford, Westmeath, Wicklow, Offaly tonight!
;)
Ah Jesus no, we can't have another bloody Laois Longford game.
I'd like I'd to get Wexford. Just for a change.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 19, 2017, 05:16:20 PM
Ahhh Redhand you're far too nice for this forum.
You have to be moaning and running down things at all costs.
Seànie you're right about ye're bucks heading to Ruislip and the Laythrums going to NY.
The London CB might lose out on bar takings this year as their Bank Holiday weekend will be gone unless of course it's on 6th May.
There are plenty of things to complain about when it comes to the scheduling of club football with the fault lying between central gaa, county boards and clubs themselves (not taking games/competitions seriously when county players not involved and getting games called off). But I don't think tonight's championship draw or the international rules are huge issues when it comes to the lack of clear club fixtures. If anything the early draw should help club fixture planning.
Quote from: Syferus on October 19, 2017, 05:20:14 PM
Quote from: Rossfan on October 19, 2017, 05:16:20 PM
Ahhh Redhand you're far too nice for this forum.
You have to be moaning and running down things at all costs.
Seànie you're right about ye're bucks heading to Ruislip and the Laythrums going to NY.
The London CB might lose out on bar takings this year as their Bank Holiday weekend will be gone unless of course it's on 6th May.
I doubt that will effect things much. People willing to travel to London already will just take the Monday off if they don't want to come home that evening, or will just get lathered Saturday night.
People criticising the timing of the Aussie Rules really are comical.
Syfīn I'm talking about all the latchicoes turning up for the after match party and nothe having to worry about work on Monday.
I hope we get another crack at the lads who have never seen Sam in Mullingar. ;D
Quote from: longballin on October 19, 2017, 04:29:55 PM
I believe GAA has little regard for club games and view them as a necessary nuisance even to point of putting on Aussie Rules game right in middle of club championship rather than February or preferably never...
What proportion of club players are playing in November?
5%????
Munster as dull as usual.
John P in his usual attire I see ;D
handy for the Rossies again
Rossies getting handy draws the past few years anyway.
Prenty's big head just walked in front of the camera.
Good draw for Tipp with Steven O'Brien back as well.
Leinster will be exciting, let's see who Dublin get.
Quote from: AZOffaly on October 19, 2017, 08:47:21 PM
Good draw for Tipp with Steven O'Brien back as well.
Never mind them.
It's all about US.💚🏐💛
Feck that anyway.
I didn't think I could like Enda Smith any more after the 9th of July but he just keeps on delivering. This guy.
In all likelihood we've a Connacht final to prepare for given Leitrim haven't beaten us in Carrick for nearly 100 years. Let's not fûck this up and make this Super 8 shite.
Kevin McKernan looking not unlike Peter Sutcliffe.
Fermanagh v Armagh will be one to follow on Ceefax
Quote from: Champion The Wonder Horse on October 19, 2017, 08:57:34 PM
Kevin McKernan looking not unlike Peter Sutcliffe.
Jaysus he'd thank you for that!'
Syfīn it was Mick Rock picked out the teams.
Another soft draw so let it roll and give the League and oul rattle too.
A few belters in Ulster :D
Away to Tyrone is a tough aul start. But I've often said I'd prefer to meet Tyrone in the first round than the final, and sure we won the last time we met at that stage!
Wicklow, potentially Dublin.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 19, 2017, 09:01:31 PM
Syfīn it was Mick Rock picked out the teams.
Another soft draw so let it roll and give the League and oul rattle too.
A few belters in Ulster :D
I was having a lovely meal in the Stone House in Ballinlough when the draw was being made so I was relying on young Hugo on the Roscommon Twitter.
I ordered a baked Alaska after I heard the draw to celebrate.
It irks me the way the "Super 8's" term has been adopted wholescale by the media, players etc.
Longford last played Meath in 1991. Got hockeyed that day :-\
Quote from: bennydorano on October 19, 2017, 08:59:26 PM
Fermanagh v Armagh will be one to follow on Ceefax
I'm happy with that draw
Looking at the Super 8's could the Ulster final turn into two teams trying to lose to avoid playing Dublin?
Quote from: Shamrock Shore on October 19, 2017, 09:10:36 PM
Longford last played Meath in 1991. Got hockeyed that day :-\
How did the match go though?
The draw gets less and less meaningful with each passing year.
This format is years past it's sell by date.
Quote from: WT4E on October 19, 2017, 09:14:10 PM
Looking at the Super 8's could the Ulster final turn into two teams trying to lose to avoid playing Dublin?
Doubt that, since Dublin will have to be faced at some stage within the 'Super 8s' -- might be something to be said for facing them sooner rather than later, given that they'll (Ulster & Leinster) be kept apart in the semis (in 2018).
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on October 19, 2017, 10:04:10 PM
Quote from: WT4E on October 19, 2017, 09:14:10 PM
Looking at the Super 8's could the Ulster final turn into two teams trying to lose to avoid playing Dublin?
Doubt that, since Dublin will have to be faced at some stage within the 'Super 8s' -- might be something to be said for facing them sooner rather than later, given that they'll (Ulster & Leinster) be kept apart in the semis (in 2018).
Sure Offaly will have sent them into the qualifiers at that stage.
The dubs will need 5 men alone to stop Allen. Ruairí that is.
Quote from: AZOffaly on October 19, 2017, 10:13:28 PM
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on October 19, 2017, 10:04:10 PM
Quote from: WT4E on October 19, 2017, 09:14:10 PM
Looking at the Super 8's could the Ulster final turn into two teams trying to lose to avoid playing Dublin?
Doubt that, since Dublin will have to be faced at some stage within the 'Super 8s' -- might be something to be said for facing them sooner rather than later, given that they'll (Ulster & Leinster) be kept apart in the semis (in 2018).
Sure Offaly will have sent them into the qualifiers at that stage.
Apologies, taking FAR TOO much for granted there! ;)
Good to play Galway early on, at least if we lose, we go into the first round of the qualifiers
Would it be fair to say the Ulster draw is reasonably well balanced compared to previous years where there was a definite weaker side
The draw is a bit of a farce.
Roscommon for the second year running will be in the last 12 of the All Ireland by virtue of a win over Leitrim (or New York).
Tyrone or Monaghan, on the other hand, will enter the qualifiers at the first hurdle. The provincial draw is what it is but I think teams from the same province should not be allowed draw each other in the qualifiers until as late a stage as possible.
More farcical as time passes. The fact that you can have 4 provincial draws, with each having a different number of teams, shows the stupidity of the present system. Radical overhaul long overdue.
Quote from: balladmaker on October 20, 2017, 01:02:07 AM
More farcical as time passes. The fact that you can have 4 provincial draws, with each having a different number of teams, shows the stupidity of the present system. Radical overhaul long overdue.
Someone got a bad draw.
Good draw for Tyrone. Monaghan are done and it's the better side of the draw. Super 8s here we come!
Quote from: macdanger2 on October 19, 2017, 11:18:09 PM
Would it be fair to say the Ulster draw is reasonably well balanced compared to previous years where there was a definite weaker side
That's because it's the weakest Province. Most teams are at a poor level.
Quote from: Dinny Breen on October 20, 2017, 09:10:21 AM
Quote from: macdanger2 on October 19, 2017, 11:18:09 PM
Would it be fair to say the Ulster draw is reasonably well balanced compared to previous years where there was a definite weaker side
That's because it's the weakest Province. Most teams are at a poor level.
doesn't say much for the country overall when three of them were in the quarter finals in 2017
Quote from: Dinny Breen on October 20, 2017, 09:10:21 AM
Quote from: macdanger2 on October 19, 2017, 11:18:09 PM
Would it be fair to say the Ulster draw is reasonably well balanced compared to previous years where there was a definite weaker side
That's because it's the weakest Province. Most teams are at a poor level.
The Irony.... ;D
Someone from Leinster saying this!!!
Quote from: Fear ón Srath Bán on October 19, 2017, 10:04:10 PM
Quote from: WT4E on October 19, 2017, 09:14:10 PM
Looking at the Super 8's could the Ulster final turn into two teams trying to lose to avoid playing Dublin?
Doubt that, since Dublin will have to be faced at some stage within the 'Super 8s' -- might be something to be said for facing them sooner rather than later, given that they'll (Ulster & Leinster) be kept apart in the semis (in 2018).
If I was coming up with a plan to beat Dublin - I'd only like to be playing them once in the Championship. Thats just my thoughts on it.
Quote from: Il Bomber Destro on October 20, 2017, 12:52:44 AM
The draw is a bit of a farce.
Roscommon for the second year running will be in the last 12 of the All Ireland by virtue of a win over Leitrim (or New York).
Tyrone or Monaghan, on the other hand, will enter the qualifiers at the first hurdle. The provincial draw is what it is but I think teams from the same province should not be allowed draw each other in the qualifiers until as late a stage as possible.
And yet there'll be loads said about Kerry's easy draw as usual
To Bomber and other Ulster whingers - why don't ye put up a motion to either abolish the Provincials or to have them as stand alone competitions with no direct link to the All Ireland Championship.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 20, 2017, 09:28:01 AM
To Bomber and other Ulster whingers - why don't ye put up a motion to either abolish the Provincials or to have them as stand alone competitions with no direct link to the All Ireland Championship.
as an Ulsterman, I like the provincial championships. They are what the are
They are but it's still unfair that we can beat one D4 team and be in the last 12 at worst while Donegal could win 2 games and only get to Round 2 if the Qualifiers.
However I'm not complaining......
Quote from: Rossfan on October 20, 2017, 09:28:01 AM
To Bomber and other Ulster whingers - why don't ye put up a motion to either abolish the Provincials or to have them as stand alone competitions with no direct link to the All Ireland Championship.
I feel in time the Provincial championships will be stand alone as the grey hair men in suits at HQ will broker a deal. A motion should be put in place to give the NFL a direct link to the championship but i doubt Mr Duffys ready made and like for like replacement will have the common sense to do that in the foreseeable future.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 20, 2017, 09:28:01 AM
To Bomber and other Ulster whingers - why don't ye put up a motion to either abolish the Provincials or to have them as stand alone competitions with no direct link to the All Ireland Championship.
They haven't been a direct link to the AI championships since 2001.
Mayo again, Roscommon certainly have had the luck with the draw this decade.
No dates released yet, would imagine it will be mid May at the latest.
Quote from: BennyCake on October 20, 2017, 09:42:50 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on October 20, 2017, 09:28:01 AM
To Bomber and other Ulster whingers - why don't ye put up a motion to either abolish the Provincials or to have them as stand alone competitions with no direct link to the All Ireland Championship.
They haven't been a direct link to the AI championships since 2001.
The provincial winners don't enter the quarter finals of the All-Ireland championship?
Quote from: Esmarelda on October 20, 2017, 10:08:01 AM
Quote from: BennyCake on October 20, 2017, 09:42:50 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on October 20, 2017, 09:28:01 AM
To Bomber and other Ulster whingers - why don't ye put up a motion to either abolish the Provincials or to have them as stand alone competitions with no direct link to the All Ireland Championship.
They haven't been a direct link to the AI championships since 2001.
The provincial winners don't enter the quarter finals of the All-Ireland championship?
Yes, but no matter how far you go in provincial c'ship, you end up in a different competition.
Quote from: Captain Obvious on October 20, 2017, 09:41:22 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on October 20, 2017, 09:28:01 AM
To Bomber and other Ulster whingers - why don't ye put up a motion to either abolish the Provincials or to have them as stand alone competitions with no direct link to the All Ireland Championship.
A motion should be put in place to give the NFL a direct link to the championship
You'd have to have the NFL running later then with maybe Provincials run along with it on alternate weeks.
The present NFL is a pre "the real thing" tournament with teams in different stages of preparation and others missing players involved in AI Club competitions.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 20, 2017, 09:32:43 AM
They are but it's still unfair that we can beat one D4 team and be in the last 12 at worst while Donegal could win 2 games and only get to Round 2 if the Qualifiers.
However I'm not complaining......
Ironically, Connacht has only one less game than Ulster, and we saw last year the standard not that high in Ulster. However while everyone will complain about the amount of games, the real inequity is in population size. Tyrone while not a big population still had a nationalist population over 4 times size of Leitrim and twice that of Ros. So what does it matter if they play an extra game or two - they will always be there or thereabouts. Leitrim nearly never and Ros every 10 or 15 years. Thereabouts = provincial contender.
Great draw for Roscommon. Beat Leitrim/NY and you've two shots at making the last 8. If we get over London, unlike our last trip, then it's one of the big 2. We're due a home game against Mayo but would be away to Galway. If Mayo are sluggish in June like they've been the last couple of years and we have them at home then maybe (I'm expecting us to improve significantly with new management - we were badly hampered by the last guy). If they're not good though then Galway will probably knock them off for the 3rd year running. Great for Connacht Council to have a Mayo/Galway game AND a Connacht Final again this year. :-X
Big 3.
system is a joke when you put it like that. beat leitrim or new york and get 2 shots at super 8. Donegal need to beat 3 teams for there first shot! Roscommon avoid a 1st rd game in connacght but also qualifiers if they were to lose to leitrim/NY.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 20, 2017, 09:32:43 AM
They are but it's still unfair that we can beat one D4 team and be in the last 12 at worst while Donegal could win 2 games and only get to Round 2 if the Qualifiers.
However I'm not complaining......
The standard in Ulster is quite poor, not that the people complaining about how tough it is would admit it.
An open draw in an age where a single team is far bigger and far richer than everyone else is a recipe for disaster. I have interest in winning a provincial title but absolutely zero in being cannon fodder for Dublin.
My bad.
Last Longford v Meath championship was 1995, not 1992.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xandvOgsAX4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xandvOgsAX4)
It's amazing that Marty looks the same 20 years ago as he does now!
Quote from: rrhf on October 20, 2017, 08:54:44 AM
Good draw for Tyrone. Monaghan are done and it's the better side of the draw. Super 8s here we come!
When do they release the dates of the games?
Quote from: Dinny Breen on October 20, 2017, 09:10:21 AM
Quote from: macdanger2 on October 19, 2017, 11:18:09 PM
Would it be fair to say the Ulster draw is reasonably well balanced compared to previous years where there was a definite weaker side
That's because it's the weakest Province. Most teams are at a poor level.
Odd that it had 3 of the 4 up for grabs spots in the last 12.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 20, 2017, 09:28:01 AM
To Bomber and other Ulster whingers - why don't ye put up a motion to either abolish the Provincials or to have them as stand alone competitions with no direct link to the All Ireland Championship.
The provinces can stay but the qualifier system should redress the imbalances of the Provincial system, not compound them.
Quote from: Maroon Manc on October 20, 2017, 09:55:26 AM
Mayo again, Roscommon certainly have had the luck with the draw this decade.
Nos dates released yet, would imagine it will be mid May at the latest.
That's a very pessimistic outlook considering you've been drawn against a team you've beaten for the last two years!
Dates will be released as soon as the gaa and sky tv divide the sweets 8)
Quote from: Il Bomber Destro on October 20, 2017, 01:27:14 PM
Quote from: Rossfan on October 20, 2017, 09:28:01 AM
To Bomber and other Ulster whingers - why don't ye put up a motion to either abolish the Provincials or to have them as stand alone competitions with no direct link to the All Ireland Championship.
The provinces can stay but the qualifier system should redress the imbalances of the Provincial system, not compound them.
Go on give us an oul hint as to how that might be done?
Heres the only way to redress the imbalance and unfairness of the Ulster situation,
Ulster champs go straight to the all-ire final
Runners up to the semi-final
beaten ulster semi-finalists play off for one of the 2 remaining quarter final places.
Sounds about right and fair ;D
I'm content enough with Monaghan getting Tyrone. Get those rascals out of the way as early as possible and hope they don't return through the back door with 2 dozen chips on each shoulder looking to stab you in the back.
Probably it will be a Tyrone team attempting a "transition", a journey into discovering a new ways of playing football, or what ever buzz word is used by some coach Mickey brought in to actify the transition phase.
Beating them in Tyrone would be an added strawberry on the dessert.
I'm missing big Sean already.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 20, 2017, 05:24:46 PM
Quote from: Il Bomber Destro on October 20, 2017, 01:27:14 PM
Quote from: Rossfan on October 20, 2017, 09:28:01 AM
To Bomber and other Ulster whingers - why don't ye put up a motion to either abolish the Provincials or to have them as stand alone competitions with no direct link to the All Ireland Championship.
The provinces can stay but the qualifier system should redress the imbalances of the Provincial system, not compound them.
Go on give us an oul hint as to how that might be done?
Teams from provinces should be kept apart in the qualifiers as far as possible. You will have Tyrone or Monaghan and two of Derry, Cavan and Donegal.
Apart from Connacht where the big two (Galway and Mayo) meet in the QF and one will enter the first round of the qualifiers, the three Ulster sides who enter that first round of the qualifiers will be the best teams in it. I think teams who find themselves in the qualifiers early as a result of the provinicial structure should not have that repeated again as far as possible.
Just having a look at things here, I would wager the first round entrants would be this year in order of ranking teams best to worst:
1. Monaghan
2. Galway
3. Derry (depending on whether they have the majority of their best players making themselves available next year)
4. Cavan
They would be the four likely teams from Round 1 who you would fancy at being capable of getting from R1 of the qualifiers to an AI QF or the Super 8 as it is now termed. 3 of those sides will have been put in there due to the draw in Ulster, in the next round Armagh and Down will probably be joining them. I think it's fair that they should avoid teams from their own Province until the qualifiers have ran their course (ie the Super 8)
Round 1 will have 7 Leinster teams, 5 Ulster and 2 each from Munster and Connacht.
Very hard to avoid same Province clashes with an open draw.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 21, 2017, 08:52:23 AM
Round 1 will have 7 Leinster teams, 5 Ulster and 2 each from Munster and Connacht.
Very hard to avoid same Province clashes with an open draw.
Not that hard in round 1.
That mix means it is fine to have no same province clashes.
Even if the 5 Ulster sides progressed to round two then it should still be able to have no same province clashes.
The only way a same province clash would be possible is if the 7 Leinster sides won their first round qualifiers (never going to happen).
Round 3 is the earliest round you could have a same province clash in probability and it should only happen in the case it's unavoidable.
Same province clashes should not happen as long as it's possible not to happen.
For instance, were there no A or B side to the draw this year then there would have been no All Ulster Clash between Down and Monaghan.
The draw would have been:
Cork/Galway/Kildare v Armagh/Donegal/Monaghan
Down v Mayo
If there is an imbalance in the Provincial system then qualifiers should intend to redress that rather than compound it.
There is no A and B nonsense this year.
Only way to address the imbalances between the numbers in the Provinces is to have no link between the Provincials and the AI.
You'd have to play the Provincials as stand alone so and then start from scratch with an AI.
That will happen many years from now when you have Senior, Inter and Junior AIs.
Meanwhile you'd have to bring in some system where any win in a Provincial let's you jump a round of Qualifiers.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 21, 2017, 09:52:40 AM
There is no A and B nonsense this year.
Only way to address the imbalances between the numbers in the Provinces is to have no link between the Provincials and the AI.
You'd have to play the Provincials as stand alone so and then start from scratch with an AI.
That will happen many years from now when you have Senior, Inter and Junior AIs.
Meanwhile you'd have to bring in some system where any win in a Provincial let's you jump a round of Qualifiers.
There is a way to redress the balance of the Provincials.
Better teams who enter the qualifiers at an earlier stage have done so generally due to the strength of their province. This is compounded by the fact that you can then meet other teams from that province in the middle of June and July.
This should not be the case, teams from the same Province should not be clashing in the qualifiers (where possible).
Just for argument say the teams that go into the R2 draw of the qualifiers next year are:
R1 winners:Cavan
Galway
Derry
Fermanagh
Monaghan
Laois
Louth
Longford
SF Losers:Armagh
Down
Meath
Westmeath
Sligo
Leitrim
Clare
Tipp
In that case the draw is very simple.
Armagh and Down can only face Galway, Laois, Louth or Longford.
Meath and Westmeath cannot face Laois, Louth or Longford.
Sligo or Leitrim cannot draw Galway
Clare and Tipp can draw any of the R1 winners.
So let's say Armagh draw Laois out of the hat and Down get Louth.
Meath and Westmeath then have five possible opponents, for argument sake, we will say they draw Cavan and Galway.
Sligo and Leitrim can then draw any of the 4 opponents and Clare and Tipp likewise.
It's pretty easy to implement and would go some way to redress the imbalance of the Provincial system without having to restructure the current format.
Ros can still get into Round 4 by winning 1 game v a D4 team.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 21, 2017, 12:06:50 PM
Ros can still get into Round 4 by winning 1 game v a D4 team.
We could have just as easily had Mayo, Sligo and Galway to win a Connacht final. In fact it was more likely than the draw we got. It's called a draw for a reason. Some amount of whining done here.
The easy way to solve the inbalances between provinces is to change it from provinces to North, South, East and West. Donegal would move from North to West. Then both Connacht and Ulster would have same with one simple move. Send Wexford to South, etc.
It would still not solve the greatest in-balance - population sizes. That creates an imbalance from player picks, to fundraising ability, and so on.
Abolish Provincial Councils???
Would you do the same for hurling?
Population imbalances - what do we do?
Split Dublin? Amalgamations of the 11 small Counties?
Quote from: mrhardyannual on October 20, 2017, 01:35:26 PM
Quote from: Maroon Manc on October 20, 2017, 09:55:26 AM
Mayo again, Roscommon certainly have had the luck with the draw this decade.
Nos dates released yet, would imagine it will be mid May at the latest.
That's a very pessimistic outlook considering you've been drawn against a team you've beaten for the last two years!
Its not pessimism at all, will probably be a good time to play Mayo. More aimed at Roscommon and coming out on the soft side of the draw again.
Is their definitely no A & B side in the qualifiers? edit, just read they've done away with it.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 21, 2017, 09:52:40 AM
There is no A and B nonsense this year.
Only way to address the imbalances between the numbers in the Provinces is to have no link between the Provincials and the AI.
You'd have to play the Provincials as stand alone so and then start from scratch with an AI.
That will happen many years from now when you have Senior, Inter and Junior AIs.
Meanwhile you'd have to bring in some system where any win in a Provincial let's you jump a round of Qualifiers.
seed the All Ireland draw, seeding based on National League and Provincial champ performances. then No 1 team play No 32 etc.
That way all league games impact actual AI championship draw.
That would also stop the cry about not enough championship games.
Quote from: Kickham csc on October 23, 2017, 11:54:38 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on October 21, 2017, 09:52:40 AM
There is no A and B nonsense this year.
Only way to address the imbalances between the numbers in the Provinces is to have no link between the Provincials and the AI.
You'd have to play the Provincials as stand alone so and then start from scratch with an AI.
That will happen many years from now when you have Senior, Inter and Junior AIs.
Meanwhile you'd have to bring in some system where any win in a Provincial let's you jump a round of Qualifiers.
seed the All Ireland draw, seeding based on National League and Provincial champ performances. then No 1 team play No 32 etc.
That way all league games impact actual AI championship draw.
That would also stop the cry about not enough championship games.
Making sure the big boys have an even easier ride is not a solution anyone but Zulu wants.
Quote from: Kickham csc on October 23, 2017, 11:54:38 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on October 21, 2017, 09:52:40 AM
There is no A and B nonsense this year.
Only way to address the imbalances between the numbers in the Provinces is to have no link between the Provincials and the AI.
You'd have to play the Provincials as stand alone so and then start from scratch with an AI.
That will happen many years from now when you have Senior, Inter and Junior AIs.
Meanwhile you'd have to bring in some system where any win in a Provincial let's you jump a round of Qualifiers.
seed the All Ireland draw, seeding based on National League and Provincial champ performances. then No 1 team play No 32 etc.
That way all league games impact actual AI championship draw.
That would also stop the cry about not enough championship games.
How would it give more Championship games than the present system?
Quote from: Rossfan on October 23, 2017, 05:31:13 PM
Quote from: Kickham csc on October 23, 2017, 11:54:38 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on October 21, 2017, 09:52:40 AM
There is no A and B nonsense this year.
Only way to address the imbalances between the numbers in the Provinces is to have no link between the Provincials and the AI.
You'd have to play the Provincials as stand alone so and then start from scratch with an AI.
That will happen many years from now when you have Senior, Inter and Junior AIs.
Meanwhile you'd have to bring in some system where any win in a Provincial let's you jump a round of Qualifiers.
seed the All Ireland draw, seeding based on National League and Provincial champ performances. then No 1 team play No 32 etc.
That way all league games impact actual AI championship draw.
That would also stop the cry about not enough championship games.
How would it give more Championship games than the present system?
If both the NFL league and prov champ games impacted your overall seeding for an AI championship draw, then the 8 league games are championship level games, obviously building up to the the All Ireland draw.
This would provide clarity and reduce the backdoor concept and increase the profile of the NFL. It would also free up weekends for the club.
So for Ulster counties
min county games - 7 league plus 1 prov and 1 All-Ireland = 9 championship games
Max county season 7 league plus 4 prov and 5 All-Ireland = 16 championship games
Played in NY, the championship mentality covered the league games before the knockout rounds. All the games were full on and must win.
Quote from: Kickham csc on October 24, 2017, 03:18:32 PM
Quote from: Rossfan on October 23, 2017, 05:31:13 PM
Quote from: Kickham csc on October 23, 2017, 11:54:38 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on October 21, 2017, 09:52:40 AM
There is no A and B nonsense this year.
Only way to address the imbalances between the numbers in the Provinces is to have no link between the Provincials and the AI.
You'd have to play the Provincials as stand alone so and then start from scratch with an AI.
That will happen many years from now when you have Senior, Inter and Junior AIs.
Meanwhile you'd have to bring in some system where any win in a Provincial let's you jump a round of Qualifiers.
seed the All Ireland draw, seeding based on National League and Provincial champ performances. then No 1 team play No 32 etc.
That way all league games impact actual AI championship draw.
That would also stop the cry about not enough championship games.
How would it give more Championship games than the present system?
If both the NFL league and prov champ games impacted your overall seeding for an AI championship draw, then the 8 league games are championship level games, obviously building up to the the All Ireland draw.
This would provide clarity and reduce the backdoor concept and increase the profile of the NFL. It would also free up weekends for the club.
So for Ulster counties
min county games - 7 league plus 1 prov and 1 All-Ireland = 9 championship games
Max county season 7 league plus 4 prov and 5 All-Ireland = 16 championship games
Played in NY, the championship mentality covered the league games before the knockout rounds. All the games were full on and must win.
Do you really think it would bother the division one teams which of the division 4 teams they'd be playing in the first round?
Effectively division two and three teams would be playing each other, with a lot around the same level again meaning which you drew wouldn't be that big a deal. I don't think it would lead to teams going all out during the league or matches feeling anything like a championship game.
You'd have to limit the AI to the 4 Provincial Champions and say the top 3 in each Div of the NFL to make League games relevant.
Also the NFL and Provincials would have to be happening over the same months say April, May , June.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 24, 2017, 03:37:31 PM
You'd have to limit the AI to the 4 Provincial Champions and say the top 3 in each Div of the NFL to make League games relevant.
Also the NFL and Provincials would have to be happening over the same months say April, May , June.
I would def support that approach.
Have a really active county period league and provincial championships tightened up.
Regarding limiting the AI, you could keep all the teams in, but have a pre-seeded draw structure like what is used for March madness in college basketball.
Or you could limit the AL draw to a reduced number.
With a seeding system, the importance of the provincial championships is increased, as a smaller county should be rewarded for a shock result, and jump significantly up the standings
But overall, the GAA do have options to make the entire season really exiciting
Pa Power has the odds up already for the first round games :o !
2010 was the last time a Division 4 side beat a Division 1 side in the championship.
There have been 160 championship games in the senior football championship from 2010 to 2017.
A system where the number 1 seed played the number 32 seed and so-on would be an absolute disaster.
Any dates set for these games yet? Surely to God they know what they're at over a week after the draw has been done.
I expect -6th May NY game, 13th Sligo/ London, 20th Galway v them crowd, 27th Laythrum v Ros, Bank holiday weekend Sligo v Galway and final 17th June.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 28, 2017, 11:55:57 PM
I expect -6th May NY game, 13th Sligo/ London, 20th Galway v them crowd, 27th Laythrum v Ros, Bank holiday weekend Sligo v Galway and final 17th June.
Those dates are confirmed the rest TBC...
Quote from: Farrandeelin on October 28, 2017, 10:56:24 PM
Any dates set for these games yet? Surely to God they know what they're at over a week after the draw has been done.
The dates are set now. http://www.gaa.ie/mm/Document/GaaIe/GAANews/15/11/47/MasterFixturesGrid(2)_English.pdf
Quote from: Blowitupref on October 31, 2017, 03:19:09 PM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on October 28, 2017, 10:56:24 PM
Any dates set for these games yet? Surely to God they know what they're at over a week after the draw has been done.
The dates are set now. http://www.gaa.ie/mm/Document/GaaIe/GAANews/15/11/47/MasterFixturesGrid(2)_English.pdf
that's a horrific layout of a document >:(
Quote from: sambostar on October 31, 2017, 04:26:02 PM
Quote from: Blowitupref on October 31, 2017, 03:19:09 PM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on October 28, 2017, 10:56:24 PM
Any dates set for these games yet? Surely to God they know what they're at over a week after the draw has been done.
The dates are set now. http://www.gaa.ie/mm/Document/GaaIe/GAANews/15/11/47/MasterFixturesGrid(2)_English.pdf
that's a horrific layout of a document >:(
I could live with the layout if the programme of games is an improvement for clubs.
Quote from: sambostar on October 31, 2017, 04:26:02 PM
Quote from: Blowitupref on October 31, 2017, 03:19:09 PM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on October 28, 2017, 10:56:24 PM
Any dates set for these games yet? Surely to God they know what they're at over a week after the draw has been done.
The dates are set now. http://www.gaa.ie/mm/Document/GaaIe/GAANews/15/11/47/MasterFixturesGrid(2)_English.pdf
that's a horrific layout of a document >:(
Shocking for an organisation as big as the GAA to come out with that rubbish for what is actually an important document.
Quote from: OgraAnDun on October 31, 2017, 09:14:48 PM
Quote from: sambostar on October 31, 2017, 04:26:02 PM
Quote from: Blowitupref on October 31, 2017, 03:19:09 PM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on October 28, 2017, 10:56:24 PM
Any dates set for these games yet? Surely to God they know what they're at over a week after the draw has been done.
The dates are set now. http://www.gaa.ie/mm/Document/GaaIe/GAANews/15/11/47/MasterFixturesGrid(2)_English.pdf
that's a horrific layout of a document >:(
Shocking for an organisation as big as the GAA to come out with that rubbish for what is actually an important document.
Yeah, the question marks don't inspire confidence either. As for the layout - it's just amazingly bad. There are lots of people employed by the GAA with excellent IT and Admin skills who could have tidied that up in 5 minutes. Sloppy.
The layout is as bad as the CPA's last attempt. How on earth do they create this particular rod for their own back?
However, layout aside, surely the condensing of the season, as was announced last January, is a good thing.
The April window is and always was going to be a red herring. As Duffy says himself, what county is going to play a league final four weeks before their first championship game and allow that window to be exclusive to clubs? Surely there'll be at least county training every weekend of April.