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Read the other day that the median age of those killed is 5 and a half. Mind boggling and heart breaking what is going on.

[would she go down the route of Health Minister at some stage]

This is the type of candidate that SF are 'going after' now I think.  Moving away, to a certain extent, from the old guard. Pat is new blood, if you pardon the pun!

If she is successful, would she go down the route of Health Minister at some stage? She would have a better knowledge that most of this portfolio.

Maybe some long term planning here but needs to get elected first obviously.

Snapchat might know more?

Can't see her trading being an MP for MLA.

I would be surprised to see her around Stormount that much as she would have ability to make some of her colleagues (dare I say party leader) look very average in terms of how she can handle herself / comes across.

She would be an asset to any political party as she has done the heavy lifting in the real world unlike the rest of them.

First bit- O'Neills improved big time imo since taking the job and comes across really well for the most part these days.

100% on the second.

Ye had similar to that in 2022 and 90% of the GAA couldnt wait to dump it as it wasn't wanted.

Would be my personal preference. What would you suggest? Or keep the current system?

This is the type of candidate that SF are 'going after' now I think.  Moving away, to a certain extent, from the old guard. Pat is new blood, if you pardon the pun!

If she is successful, would she go down the route of Health Minister at some stage? She would have a better knowledge that most of this portfolio.

Maybe some long term planning here but needs to get elected first obviously.

Snapchat might know more?

You'd imagine someone with her background would be a prime candidate down the line. 

Ye had ye're "straight knock out" in 2020 and 2021 and that cured most people of that disease.
Journalists made Refs give yellow cards for pulling jerseys....

Straight knockout after provincials. Top 16 in Sam bottom 16 in TC. Couldn't be any worse than these fecking groups.

In the event that two teams or more finish with equal points, but have been affected by a disqualification, loss of game on a proven objection, retirement or walkover, the tie shall be decided by the following means:

(i) Least number of Walkovers given.
(ii) Score Difference from the games in which only the teams involved, (teams tied on points), have played each other (subtracting the total Scores Against from the total Scores For)
(iii) Highest Total Score For, in which only the teams involved have played each other, and have finished equal in (ii)
(iv) Highest Total Goals For, in which only the teams involved have played each other, and have finished equal in (ii) & (iii)
(v) A Play-Off

From opening page on this thread. Fair chance we lose to Derry and beat Galway and everyone beats Westmeath. In that case score difference only from the games between us, Derry and Galway would come into it. 

[First past the post is bollix.]

On current numbers, the Lib Dems will become the official opposition. First past the post is bollix.
Mind you some of the sitting Conservatives might retain their seats, owing to good local work and perhaps being remainers and anti Johnson, if there are any left.

LAB: 540 (+343)
CON: 29 (-347)
LIB: 46 (+38)
REF: 0 (-)
GRN: 2 (+1)
SNP: 12 (-36)

Still 29 seats too many for the c***ts!

It's almost impossible now for Derry to top the group. Even if Derry beat Armagh, and Armagh beat Galway, the fact we lost by 5 means we're more than likely gonna miss out on top spot on score difference. We probably have to beat Armagh by at least 6 and that just isn't going to happen realistically.

In the event of teams finishing on equal points in a Quarter-Final Group, the tie shall be decided by the following means and in the order specified:
(i) Where two Teams only are involved – the outcome of the meeting of the two Teams in the Group
(ii) Score difference – subtracting the total Scores against from the total Scores for.
(iii) Highest Total Score For
(iv) Highest Total Goals For
(v) A Play-Off

Presumably though Derry could also beat Westmeath by more than Armagh did.

What about 3 teams finishing on 4 pts?

Score difference?

National Service for all 18yo's...
Tax relief on rented property
Cancelling "Mickey Mouse" degrees.

The Torys are throwing out policies two to a dozen to see if any of them will actually get traction with voters.

That'll all go well with their voter base.

[Have Armagh not proved they're a decent team who on their day can go toe to toe with the top teams. We all know we're 2-3 players short of competing for Sam but Armagh on their day can turn most teams over, we can also throw a Regi Blinker in there too like.]

Speaking to a big Derry head earlier he said they're down to one injury and one suspension so they're getting back on track. How can you say Derry beats Armagh 9 from 10 meetings when it took penalties to beat us previously. Have Armagh not proved they're a decent team who on their day can go toe to toe with the top teams. We all know we're 2-3 players short of competing for Sam but Armagh on their day can turn most teams over, we can also throw a Regi Blinker in there too like.
What i have seen from the eye test so far is everyone is vulnerable and beatable, Dublin look to be the strongest and when they get everyone back fit and firing they will be the team to beat. Every other team from Kerry upwards (in the ratings) has a chance with the luck of the draw and a bit of luck on the day.

The thing is has Armagh actually got over the line yet in Championship against a team as good or better than the?? They have certainly put it up to teams but until they can fall over the line the doubts will remain. Its a massive game for both teams this weekend and I would put it at 50/50.

Yeah the only tight win we've had against a strong team in recent years was that Galway group game. I know we beat Tyrone and Donegal well in 22 but they were both poor at the time

Bayern could probably go unbeaten next year!

Derry similar to Donegal are a very good team, but one we should have absolutely no fear of, will be similar to last year I'm sure and could very well end up a draw again, maybe being at home gives Derry a slight slight advantage.

[As for inflation, I doubt if prices are any higher than ever they were and most people have no problem paying for them if they are interested, look at the crowds in the Munster hurling or the quarter of a million people who paid out €150 a go for Bruce Springsteen.]

The fall in attendances are actually incredible in the past 5-10 years, there are too many matches with nothing on the line at high prices in an inflation/cost of living crisis.

So many big staidums now and they forgot to keep the supporters onside

What is needed is competition. Someone noted that Celtic park in Derry had been hardly used for years and this year it has had 3 full house games. The Leinster championship is not getting the crowds of 30 years ago because there is zero chance of a Dublin-Meath game going to extra time. As for inflation, I doubt if prices are any higher than ever they were and most people have no problem paying for them if they are interested, look at the crowds in the Munster hurling or the quarter of a million people who paid out €150 a go for Bruce Springsteen.

Perhaps the price isnt too bad but it's the condensed format that goes along with the price. Big costs for families every week or fortnight is not sustainable for many.

As much as I love the Ulster championship, it is now clear that the provincials have to go.

Mechanisms such as the €50 ticket for the 3 group games are a response to the cost.

As for the provincial championships, when they are abolished people will then be posting that it used to be possible for families to go to Omagh or Clones but the cost of having to go to games in Kerry or Galway is prohibitive.

Thats a very good point that doesn't get mentioned often.

Pundits go on about only 4 being eliminated but a week later another 4 go, and the week after that another 4. It will spring into
life shortly. The jeopardy is on the horizon.

Yeah I actually quite like this current competition format but all the negativity is beginning to wane my enthusiasm for it.

Everybody was giving out about the 10k in Croke Park because it fitted their agenda.

But never mention the full houses in Ballybofey and Iniskeen.

Majority rules at the end of the day though and the majority don't seem to be in favor if this format.

Clearly that game shouldn't have been in Croke Park. Theres probably more positives than negatives, but still issues to be addressed with this format. I'd prefer straight knock out tbh.

A lot of negativity around the current championship format among the media in recent weeks.

I'm wondering would a open draw championship with a back door work?

Round 1 - Open Draw

Round 2 - 8 losers play each other in round two (losers round) and 8 winners play each other in round 2 (winners round).

Round 3 - The 4 winners from the winners round progress to the quarter finals whilst the 4 losers from the winners round play the 4 winners from the losers round. (Slightly confusing but bare with me)

Round 4 - Quarter Finals

See below how it might play out

Round 1
Derry 1-16 v 0-08 Westmeath
Armagh 2-09 v 0-11 Clare
Dublin 3-17 v 1-12 Cavan
Kerry 0-19 v 0-11 Monaghan
Mayo 0-18 v 0-07 Roscommon
Galway 2-19 v 0-04 Meath
Tyrone 0-13 v 0-10 Louth
Donegal 0-17 v 0-09 Cork

** 8 Winners play off and 8 losers play off

Round 2 - Losers round
Cavan 1-16 v 0-08 Westmeath
Monaghan 2-09 v 0-11 Clare
Roscommon 3-17 v 1-12 Meath
Cork 0-19 v 0-11 Louth

** Cavan Monaghan Roscommon and Cork progress to play the losers of the winners round

Round 2 - Winners round
Kerry 1-16 v 0-08 Dublin
Galway 2-09 v 0-11 Mayo
Donegal 3-17 v 1-12 Tyrone
Derry 0-19 v 0-11 Armagh

** Kerry Galway Donegal and Derry progress onto quarter finals.
** Dublin Mayo Tyrone and Armagh play off with Cavan Monaghan Roscommon and Cork in round of 12.

Round 3
Dublin 1-16 v 0-08 Cavan
Cork 2-09 v 0-11 Tyrone
Armagh 3-17 v 1-12 Roscommon
Mayo 0-19 v 0-11 Monaghan

** Dublin Cork Armagh and Mayo progress to quarter finals

Round 4 Quarter Finals
Kerry 3-17 v 1-12 Armagh
Mayo 0-19 v 0-11 Derry
Dublin 0-14 v 0-11 Galway
Donegal 0-17 v 0-11 Cork

Round 5 Semi Finals
Mayo 3-17 v 1-12 Kerry
Donegal 0-17 v 0-11 Dublin

Round 6 Final
Donegal 0-18 v 0-17 Mayo (AET)

I think it this is a decent system where everyone has a second chance but no dead rubbers or meaningless games and every game means something.

Not bad at all,  reduction in games be an issue though for the GAA. Would have to increase prices further to compensate.

If all those games were meaningful/competitive you'd end up with far better total attendances imo.