Ulster's McKenna Cup

[thewobbler]

Think it was 2007 the last time I went to a McKenna Cup match. Watched Down C play Antrim B. It was mostly a box checking exercise to allow lads who'd trained over the winter to say they'd played county... before being released.

The McKenna Cup was rubbish, it always was, and - thankfully - never will be again.

[JoG2]

Think it was 2007 the last time I went to a McKenna Cup match. Watched Down C play Antrim B. It was mostly a box checking exercise to allow lads who'd trained over the winter to say they'd played county... before being released.

The McKenna Cup was rubbish, it always was, and - thankfully - never will be again.

Think it was 2007 the last time I went to a McKenna Cup match. Watched Down C play Antrim B. It was mostly a box checking exercise to allow lads who'd trained over the winter to say they'd played county... before being released.

The McKenna Cup was rubbish, it always was, and - thankfully - never will be again.

I hindsight Down should maybe have taken the McKenna more seriously

Imo, it will be missed, if not by some supporters, by the county teams / management. I've enjoyed it over the years, comes at the time you've just recharged the batteries and are ready for another year of football. The games between Christmas and the NY when you've got cabin fever were always enjoyable

[Rossfan]

Was it not the County teams' players who wanted them abolished?,

[Wildweasel74]

Come January, you be's crying about nothing to go to. McKenna cup killed the first 2 weeks in the New year.

[EmeraldOpal]

Expand league to 10 teams start it earlier.

[EmeraldOpal]

The mckenna cup  had a good wee format it it wasnt straight knockout but you had to win group to make sure y got through so there was a jeopardy with the context of the tournament the format was different from the ulster championship some of the other province pre season competitions had same format as the provincial championship which was pointless.

[marty34]

The mckenna cup  had a good wee format it it wasnt straight knockout but you had to win group to make sure y got through so there was a jeopardy with the context of the tournament the format was different from the ulster championship some of the other province pre season competitions had same format as the provincial championship which was pointless.

Yeah, decent competition. Managers and counties got what they want from it so it worked grand.

Teams will just organise friendlies now anyway so not sure what the purpose of the motion is.

[Dreadnought]

Let's face it, the McKenna Cup was a series of pumped up challenge games

Yes. That's the point

[Dreadnought]

Think it was 2007 the last time I went to a McKenna Cup match. Watched Down C play Antrim B. It was mostly a box checking exercise to allow lads who'd trained over the winter to say they'd played county... before being released.

The McKenna Cup was rubbish, it always was, and - thankfully - never will be again.

Only gone for 2025. No one has said never. And just because you didn't like it, doesn't mean all others didn't either

[imtommygunn]

I think this will impact the league. This competition was pretty competitive and ulster teams tended to start the league well. Be interesting to see if it makes a difference.

[tbrick18]

I like the mckenna cup. Usually the first chance to see new panel players and by the time Jan comes around, getting out to a competitive match is a tonic.
Nobody really cares about results, it's just good to see how teams are shaping up.
Really disappointed it's cancelled for 2025.

[Armagh18]

That is definitely the plan though, as you say, it'll take a bit of work.

I guess if counties set out say 3 games in January as their season prep series and market accordingly it could work.

Easier to sell Armagh v Dublin than Longford v Leitrim. I guess counties would be agreeing to split gates.

No big deal sure the McKenna cup was a nothing competition anyway. Didn't Armagh play a McKenna cup game one day (with the bones of a team and u20s) and a challenge match the next or did I misremember that??

Yeah maybe was the same day actually. Donegal played our u20's and we played either Mayo or Dublin in a friendly. 

[Milltown Row2]

Are the other pre season competitions 'taking a break'?

[Rossfan]

The statement said "pre season competitions suspended for a year"
So chips off shoulders chaps.
Does it also apply to hurley stuff??

[Mario]

Let's face it, the McKenna Cup was a series of pumped up challenge games

Yeah but you knew when and where they were on so could watch them. It helped satisfy the early season appetite for games. This year would have been a big one too with Armagh being AI champs, Donegal coming off a good year. Tyrone and Derry with new mgmt. I'd imagine it would have drawn some decent crowds.