Money, Dublin and the GAA

[6th sam]

What "top Counties" asked the GAA to bring in the so called Super 8s?

The super 8 concept was designed to make hay when the sun shines , capitalising on Dublin's crowd pulling power. Counties that Get a relatively easier run in their provinces, again due to the lobsided unfairness of the provincial structures ( eg Kerry, Dublin , Mayo ) backed the super 8s as they were confident that it would be easier for them to get to super 8s. History has shown that  Central council can be very persuasive and incredibly several less successful counties also voted for Super 8s, talk about turkeys voting for Christmas !
Whilst I would consider a tiered championship for first round championship losers, and trying to redress provincial anomalies ( not get rid of provincial championships). The super 8s is unfair and will result in the elite getting stronger ( especially the likes of Kerry and Dublin who will be guaranteed August football every year, due to their provincial advantages )
I think Dublin have maximised on their advantages in recent years and fair play to them, I don't blame them in anyway for using the system to their advantage, but that system that must change .Employed GPOs in Dublin seems to work, it provides employment, it improves governance and participation, as well as football development. Therefore rather than cut these in Dublin, I feel that the GAA should be looking to provide every club in the country with an employed GPO( in rural area clubs could pool together to have a "cluster" GPO) . Perhaps Dublin's sponsorship monies( which are commensurate with their success) could be redistributed amongst other counties to make it a more level playing field. The issue around home advantage is farcical. Dublin should have to travel like everyone else, and though that would result in less games in a half-empty Croke Park , it would remove the stench of unfairness and reinvigorate the championship .
Interestingly a tiered championship could help redress provincial unfairness, eg if Kerry Dublin or  Mayo had to pit their wits against a division 1 Ulster team to qualify for July/August football , then they could prove their worth, or otherwise. This tiering should also serve to re-invigorate the NFL, rewarding performance in a totally fair NFL structure

[Zulu]

The super 8's were brought in on the back on a long GAA-wide consultative process that attempted to give the GAA community what it said it wanted. That's why the provincial championships were retained and why there are groups at the end of the championship rather than the start. It's not perfect, but there isn't any alternative that is, but it's not something pushed through on a whim by the suits (whoever or whatever they are).

[manfromdelmonte]

The super 8's were brought in on the back on a long GAA-wide consultative process that attempted to give the GAA community what it said it wanted. That's why the provincial championships were retained and why there are groups at the end of the championship rather than the start. It's not perfect, but there isn't any alternative that is, but it's not something pushed through on a whim by the suits (whoever or whatever they are).

What consultative process?

[Rossfan]

There were about 20 possible systems circulated a few years ago to County Boards.
I think most of them ignored the whole thing and nothing mterialised .
"HQ" came along with the present system and went around the Country to Co Boards to outline/sell the system.
Congress voted it through.

[Zulu]

The super 8's were brought in on the back on a long GAA-wide consultative process that attempted to give the GAA community what it said it wanted. That's why the provincial championships were retained and why there are groups at the end of the championship rather than the start. It's not perfect, but there isn't any alternative that is, but it's not something pushed through on a whim by the suits (whoever or whatever they are).

What consultative process?

Can't remember the exact details but every club, county board, provincial body, gaa member and joe public were all offered the opportunity to submit their views. I think you could submit your thoughts online or email a certain address. There was also a group who went around the country to meet with county boards and collate their views. Basically, anyone with a view on the inter-county fixtures programme could submit their thoughts.

The proposal for the super 8's was by Padraic Duffy after this and was then brought around the country to county boards to promote it.

[Hound]

What "top Counties" asked the GAA to bring in the so called Super 8s?

The super 8 concept was designed to make hay when the sun shines , capitalising on Dublin's crowd pulling power. Counties that Get a relatively easier run in their provinces, again due to the lobsided unfairness of the provincial structures ( eg Kerry, Dublin , Mayo ) backed the super 8s as they were confident that it would be easier for them to get to super 8s. History has shown that  Central council can be very persuasive and incredibly several less successful counties also voted for Super 8s, talk about turkeys voting for Christmas !
Whilst I would consider a tiered championship for first round championship losers, and trying to redress provincial anomalies ( not get rid of provincial championships). The super 8s is unfair and will result in the elite getting stronger ( especially the likes of Kerry and Dublin who will be guaranteed August football every year, due to their provincial advantages )
I think Dublin have maximised on their advantages in recent years and fair play to them, I don't blame them in anyway for using the system to their advantage, but that system that must change .Employed GPOs in Dublin seems to work, it provides employment, it improves governance and participation, as well as football development. Therefore rather than cut these in Dublin, I feel that the GAA should be looking to provide every club in the country with an employed GPO( in rural area clubs could pool together to have a "cluster" GPO) . Perhaps Dublin's sponsorship monies( which are commensurate with their success) could be redistributed amongst other counties to make it a more level playing field. The issue around home advantage is farcical. Dublin should have to travel like everyone else, and though that would result in less games in a half-empty Croke Park , it would remove the stench of unfairness and reinvigorate the championship .
Interestingly a tiered championship could help redress provincial unfairness, eg if Kerry Dublin or  Mayo had to pit their wits against a division 1 Ulster team to qualify for July/August football , then they could prove their worth, or otherwise. This tiering should also serve to re-invigorate the NFL, rewarding performance in a totally fair NFL structure

Some excellent points. Nice to see that not everyone is driven by the Spewan nonsense and can focus on the real inequalities. Hard to disagree with anything you've said.

Also interesting that so many clubs throughout the country can find the funds to pay for a coach to train their adult first team.

[priceyreilly]

The elite 8's were brought in because attendances were falling off a cliff. It's as simple as that. It was a money making invention. It was miserable last year and hopefully it falls flat again this year. The Dublin president and others are actively clambering for 16 counties to get booted out of the championship. Tommy Murphy cup part 2 is their first plan, soon it will be complete separation and not just of 16 teams. They will not tackle the real problem, that being the doping Dubs.
By the way, all these problems have been spoken about by some of us for years. The Dublin domination and what it would lead to was predicted almost a decade ago. Back then no one took it serious, I'm delighted to see that has changed now but it's important that we push on it. Get onto our county boards etc. We can't let them wreck our games anymore.

[Zulu]

The elite 8's were brought in because attendances were falling off a cliff. It's as simple as that. It was a money making invention. It was miserable last year and hopefully it falls flat again this year. The Dublin president and others are actively clambering for 16 counties to get booted out of the championship. Tommy Murphy cup part 2 is their first plan, soon it will be complete separation and not just of 16 teams. They will not tackle the real problem, that being the doping Dubs.
By the way, all these problems have been spoken about by some of us for years. The Dublin domination and what it would lead to was predicted almost a decade ago. Back then no one took it serious, I'm delighted to see that has changed now but it's important that we push on it. Get onto our county boards etc. We can't let them wreck our games anymore.

Simply not true but carry on.

[priceyreilly]

The elite 8's were brought in because attendances were falling off a cliff. It's as simple as that. It was a money making invention. It was miserable last year and hopefully it falls flat again this year. The Dublin president and others are actively clambering for 16 counties to get booted out of the championship. Tommy Murphy cup part 2 is their first plan, soon it will be complete separation and not just of 16 teams. They will not tackle the real problem, that being the doping Dubs.
By the way, all these problems have been spoken about by some of us for years. The Dublin domination and what it would lead to was predicted almost a decade ago. Back then no one took it serious, I'm delighted to see that has changed now but it's important that we push on it. Get onto our county boards etc. We can't let them wreck our games anymore.

Simply not true but carry on.

What's not true?

[Zulu]

That super 8's were brought in simply because attendances were dropping.

[omaghjoe]

That super 8's were brought in simply because attendances were dropping.

Yes and he was making an additional point that it was to get more competitive games for Dublin to draw in the crowds...

He said Dublin are destroying our games which isnt really true, but they are destroying the blue ribbon competition.

[Main Street]

The super 8s have also vitalised the 2nd 3rd and 4th qualifying rounds.

[From the Bunker]

This is the reason for the Super Duper 8's!

[RedHand88]

The elite 8's were brought in because attendances were falling off a cliff. It's as simple as that. It was a money making invention. It was miserable last year and hopefully it falls flat again this year. The Dublin president and others are actively clambering for 16 counties to get booted out of the championship. Tommy Murphy cup part 2 is their first plan, soon it will be complete separation and not just of 16 teams. They will not tackle the real problem, that being the doping Dubs.
By the way, all these problems have been spoken about by some of us for years. The Dublin domination and what it would lead to was predicted almost a decade ago. Back then no one took it serious, I'm delighted to see that has changed now but it's important that we push on it. Get onto our county boards etc. We can't let them wreck our games anymore.

Simply not true but carry on.

What's not true?

It's not true that last years was miserable.

Tyrone v Dublin in a packed omagh was a special atmosphere. Tyrone beating Donegal in Ballybofey to snatch a semi spot, Galway shocking Kerry in Croke park. Kerry coming to clones and playing out the game of the summer with Monaghan. Give me that anyday over 3 or 4 hammerings in the quarters.

It was great stuff.

[Zulu]

That super 8's were brought in simply because attendances were dropping.

Yes and he was making an additional point that it was to get more competitive games for Dublin to draw in the crowds...

He said Dublin are destroying our games which isnt really true, but they are destroying the blue ribbon competition.

I don't see where he is saying it was brought in to get Dublin more competitive games and it wasn't brought in for that either.

Of course there's an issue with Dublin's dominance but the super 8's was brought in because people were dissatisfied with the old competitive format and after consulatation this was the proposal that was put to counties. That's the simple realtity and if anyone thinks the GAA top brass want Dublin waltzing to All Ireland after All Ireland they are not well.