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Is obvious too many games... I think you can lose three games and remain in the championship. Is hardly 'championship' football. People be inclined to wait to quarter-finals.

I'd be the same id rather go to quarter finals in croke park than round one or two of the group support my own county.

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. 

I find it hard to get enthusiastic about the group stages and the amount of games with no jeopardy.  Should improve after next weekend you would hope. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c1vv4qlv077o

Martial gone. That's one  piece of deadwood gone  anyway

I wonder who  will follow
[/quote]

"It's with great emotion that I write to you today to say goodbye," he wrote on social media.

"After nine incredible years at the club, the time has come for me to turn a new page in my career.

"Since I arrived in 2015, I have had the immense honour of wearing this shirt and playing in front of you, the best supporters in the world. Manchester United will always be in my heart."

I am sure the feeling is mutual.  Been better saying nothing.

Did anyone really think we could beat donegal tonight.  Seriously.  We have better players but vast difference on the sideline.  My god

They were in good positions to win against them 6 weeks ago twice so I would presume so. 

And didn't. And yet another second half collapse this time. Did you really think Tyrone would win?

Said it often enough but while we should be eternally grateful to Dooher and Logan for taking the shackles off Mickey's team and leading them to Sam in 2021, everything since has been miles from the required standard. A rudderless ship and a team which is way less than the sum of their parts. Individual talent keeps them competitive but lack of a coherent plan and identity so clear against anyone half decent. With the talent coming through Tyrone really need to have a rethink.

This wasn't a David v Goliath game Tyrone have thrived as underdogs in the past and it was well within their capability to win the game. to suggest Tyrone didn't expect to win the game I don't think is correct. 

The younger Canavan seems over hyped from what I have saw to date. Darragh and McCurry could do with some support up top.  McGeary at last showing a bit of form is a positive for them moving forward. 

[I would have thought that clubs would be accomodating to one another regarding weddings]

Didn't know fleadhs and weddings were grounds to have games called off.

Ccc meeting with clubs in February it was agreed that clubs could request dates for weddings or special circumstances (golf classics etc) and county board would refix the game if the two clubs didn't come to an agreement on a refixture

I would have thought that clubs would be accomodating to one another regarding weddings surely as it would be swings and roundabouts as you would expect most clubs will have a wedding every year or two and the date of the wedding wont come out of the blue. 

My experience is the exact opposite. Clubs see weddings as an opportunity of playing a weakened opponent and would only accommodate if it was in their interests e.g. injuries etc. Very rarely have i seen clubs accommodate a request for a fixture change for a wedding months in advance.

Ideally clubs should be allowed one "free" weekend a season where they can request a fixture be changed but i do appreciate the issues that would cause with fixtures that are already a problem so understand why its not the case albeit I think the Fermanagh and Western allow this?

In Armagh as far as I am aware the request goes to the county board and they approve the request and reschedule the fixtures accordingly.  There are generally a couple of re-fixture dates put in the calendar.  In Tyrone, I don't suppose it helps the normal club player the fact that the league starts so late in the season so probably limited room for movement for any refixtures and it is tough going playing Fri/Sun in the same weekend. 

Didn't know fleadhs and weddings were grounds to have games called off.

Ccc meeting with clubs in February it was agreed that clubs could request dates for weddings or special circumstances (golf classics etc) and county board would refix the game if the two clubs didn't come to an agreement on a refixture

I would have thought that clubs would be accomodating to one another regarding weddings surely as it would be swings and roundabouts as you would expect most clubs will have a wedding every year or two and the date of the wedding wont come out of the blue. 

Michael O'Neill must be putting in serious shifts in training

How this lad gets lining out at 11 for Tyrone is a mystery don't see what he brings to the table. 

Did anyone really think we could beat donegal tonight.  Seriously.  We have better players but vast difference on the sideline.  My god

They were in good positions to win against them 6 weeks ago twice so I would presume so. 

The team isn't developing though. Terrible on a consistent basis and still no style of play after 2 seasons. United have had injuries but he has spent more than enough to have cover but most of his signings have been bad.

Most of the consistent terrible stuff has been seen this season due to a lot of disruption going on without a settled starting 11 and forced to play 15 different centre back pairings and no natural left back,  it's more survival mode than be able to have a consistent style of play in that situation.  Yesterday especially 1st half and in the majority of the Old Trafford games last season I believe is the style of play Ten Hag wants which is a compact,organised defensively and good on the transition and his signings has played their part in finishing 3rd in the table last season and winning two trophies.

Surely being organised defensively should be a given with any team. Yesterday's first half was just similar to what Mourinho or any other coach would do against a superior team.

His signings haven't been great either. Malaria, Martinez, Antony, Casemiro, Eriksen, Amrabat, Mount and Onana have all not delivered.

Martinez has been an excellent signing after a ropey start just poor injury record.Casemiro was good first season but age has caught up with him.

My biggest grounch is again. this year we haven't a big panel. Armagh have a def. 43.Think players outside the top 30 may be available for club games. Derry should blooded alot more players through the McKenna Cup and League.If you take the best 30 players in the county, there a fair lot not on the panel. Armagh can get the players to bye in,winning nothing, we can't.

Who not on the panel improves Derry?

Is there any reason with games being played next week why the GAA can't confirm the dates and times of next weekends fixtures so that supporters can sort travel/accomodation if required.  I understand last round of games are neutral and undecided but why could they not announce the venues/times for the first two rounds at one time. 

who decided England are favourites

Rio Ferdinand.

Hope he isn't involved in any coverage across bbc/itv think everyone needs the summer off. 

England have a very good chance. Their defence isn't as bad as its made out albeit they seem to have no natural left back. Their front 4 of Foden/Kane/Bellingham/Saka is as good as what is at the tournament.

Looking forward to it. I've always favoured the Euros over the World Cup for some reason.

Me the same, but the increase in teams and reduced jeopardy in group stages has lessened the appeal.  16 teams 4 groups of 4 should been left like that top two into last 8. 

who decided England are favourites

Patrick Power.