The provincial championships..

[Wildweasel74]

The Ulster championship has always been the most competitive with all-Ireland winner tending to get the chop in ulster before meeting other provincial teams, Down 92, Donegal 93, Derry 94, Down 95, Armagh 2003, Tyrone 2006, Donegal 2013, In mo other province would the all-Ireland champs have as hard a time to get out of it. Who can knock Mayo out, probably only Galway. who can knock kerry out likely only Cork. It take 1 real game to win that province, i think it only been once in 40yrs since 3 in a row has been done. Dublin clocking out 8 title in 9 nine yrs or sthing down south.

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

Ulster football blaw blaw blaw, what a boring shower. The All-Ireland is going to Dublin.

[trileacman]

Ulster football blaw blaw blaw, what a boring shower. The All-Ireland is going to Dublin.

Defeatist attitude, no wonder youse win fcuk all.

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

Ulster football blaw blaw blaw, what a boring shower. The All-Ireland is going to Dublin.

Defeatist attitude, no wonder youse win fcuk all.

We won the War of Independence 

[Zulu]

It's nonsensical because you can't take the odd result and hold it up as a reason for retaining them. It would be just as nonsensical for me to highlight the Connacht final as a reason to abolish them. Neither the Monaghan result or Mayo stroll are reasons to retain or abolish the provincial championships and to try and make an argument on that basis is madness.

I'm arguing for their retention on the basis that they have an unrivaled capacity to bring sheer unadulterated joy to counties that more than likely will not win an All-Ireland any time soon.
You need to understand how important that is; from a social, community and games promotion perspective.

True, but they cause all sorts of other problems for both club and IC football/hurling so the chance of days like today once every decade or so is not a good argument for their retention.

[Jinxy]

There are plenty of changes that can be made within the present structure to improve it.
No need for the nuclear option.

[Zulu]

Like what? I don't see why getting rid of the provincial championships is a nuclear option.

[Jinxy]

The senior intercounty scene is the tip of the iceberg but it is the major promotional tool we have.
That win today did more for Monaghan club football than any amount of money.
Young lads are going to want to be the next Kieran/Darren Hughes.
I can't remember what your alternative system was but if there was only one cup to play for, I'm not in favour of it.

[Zulu]

So you don't have any suggestions? I don't mind if you retain the provincials but it can't be linked to the All Ireland as this results in too many problems but  if it could then fine. Monaghan's win will be a great (temporary) boost to football at club level but if they have no football to play while the IC team plays it won't be long dissipating. My system was only a suggestion, I don't care what is done as long as it is good for club and IC GAA, what we have now isn't, despite the odd great result.

[Jinxy]

So you don't have any suggestions? I don't mind if you retain the provincials but it can't be linked to the All Ireland as this results in too many problems but  if it could then fine. Monaghan's win will be a great (temporary) boost to football at club level but if they have no football to play while the IC team plays it won't be long dissipating. My system was only a suggestion, I don't care what is done as long as it is good for club and IC GAA, what we have now isn't, despite the odd great result.

Why would I be making suggestions when I'm not the one advocating change?

[Syferus]

It's the mad schedule that needs to be fixed, not the format. Too many people mistake stupid fixture lists for an unworkable format.

[Zulu]

No they don't. Having 12 teams in one group and 6 in another is nuts. Saying local rivalries is important while denying local match ups like Waterford Kilkenny or Westmeath Roscommon is nonsense. It's a failed format and the odd fairy tail like today does't justify it.

[Jinxy]

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Attendances aren't the only, or even the most important thing, but even if they were it's overall attendances that count not one off ones. The current system falls short on that count.

Why would I be making suggestions when I'm not the one advocating change?

You said this -

There are plenty of changes that can be made within the present structure to improve it.

So what are they?

a) How does the current system fall short on attendances?
b) In terms of organising the club season in such a way that lads aren't sitting on their hands for the summer. Plenty of counties play club championship games during their county campaigns.

To be honest Zulu, I have my doubts that concern for the club player is the root cause of this push for change.
It's primarily driven by the GAA media and a small number of GAA people who desire a better 'product'.
The assumption seems to be, get the top teams playing each other more regularly and push the weaker teams to one side altogether so nobody has to look at them.
The basis of the success of the GAA is local rivalry and the idea that you might win f*ck all, but you could beat the shower from down the road.
Without a crystal ball I can't be sure, but my gut feeling is that ditching the provincial championships would be hugely negative in terms of attendances and interest levels.
The game would become a television sport where people would no longer bother paying €25/30 to go watch their county play some crowd they have absolutely no history with.
And sure why would they?
They haven't a hope of winning anything anyway.

[Zulu]

A valid concern Jinxy and one I can't dispel. Nobody can be sure a change would improve things but I don't think the current format is doing us no favours.

On attendances, more games should mean bigger crowds overall so I think that's straight forward.

I know of no county that plays its club championship in a structured way over the course of an IC season.

Do or die games create emotion and crowds while more games give players and supporters more value so the challenge is to get the balance but I think we are way off at the moment. If Tipp, Kilkenny (hurling) and Donegal won their provincial titles then we'd be into late July without one single thing to talk or get excited about and tat is a flawed system IMO.