All Ireland Championship 2025.

[Captain Obvious]

But the overall championship had a lot more better games... do we just judge it on QFs and SFs??

Any new rules or new formats are ultimately judged on knock out championship football.

[OakLeaf]

Lads, its the first year of the new rules. Some teams have adapted quicker than others, but its hard to argue that they haven't opened up the game. In my view the new rules are a huge success, and will only enhance the game further as teams get used to them. Some chaps are hard to please.

[bennydorano]

I've said it a few times this year, with the new rules we'll have as many rubbish, middling and good games as under the old rules. Nothing I've seen this year has changed my mind, but I do think the game will improve as the rules bed in over time.

I would have been happy enough to have left the old rules in place but for Ulster schools & colleges football, I watched a lot over the past few years and it genuinely needed saving from itself.

[Blowitupref]

I've said it a few times this year, with the new rules we'll have as many rubbish, middling and good games as under the old rules. Nothing I've seen this year has changed my mind, but I do think the game will improve as the rules bed in over time.

I would have been happy enough to have left the old rules in place but for Ulster schools & colleges football, I watched a lot over the past few years and it genuinely needed saving from itself.

More tweaks will probably be needed to hope things improve over time.  At the moment things are too in favour of forward play,  truly good games has a good balance between defence and attack in matches. 

[weareros]

The main problem is the lack of seeding to placate provincial championships, and it will be a problem again next year because the eight provincial finalists will be drawn against the remaining top ranked team in the first round. It really should be the 4 provincial winners + next 4 based on league against the next 8 ranked teams. But they can't get away from treating a provincial loser with a top 8 ranking even thought apart from Ulster, and sometimes Connacht, it's likely they are Div 2/3 teams.

[Rossfan]

I've said it a few times this year, with the new rules we'll have as many rubbish, middling and good games as under the old rules. Nothing I've seen this year has changed my mind, but I do think the game will improve as the rules bed in over time.

I would have been happy enough to have left the old rules in place but for Ulster schools & colleges football, I watched a lot over the past few years and it genuinely needed saving from itself.

More tweaks will probably be needed to hope things improve over time.  At the moment things are too in favour of forward play,  truly good games has a good balance between defence and attack in matches. 

How do we rebalance to  help defenders?
Strict enforcement of the 4 step rule? Good luck with that!
Allow 1 man to hold the opponent with  the ball? Smacks of rugger/AFL.
Allow stripping the ball from opponents hand? Why not?
Any thoughts?

[Wildweasel74]

But do defenders need help, might actually have to learn to defend? Back on the 90's most battles were 1 on 1 with the forward and the back

[Blowitupref]

I've said it a few times this year, with the new rules we'll have as many rubbish, middling and good games as under the old rules. Nothing I've seen this year has changed my mind, but I do think the game will improve as the rules bed in over time.

I would have been happy enough to have left the old rules in place but for Ulster schools & colleges football, I watched a lot over the past few years and it genuinely needed saving from itself.

More tweaks will probably be needed to hope things improve over time.  At the moment things are too in favour of forward play,  truly good games has a good balance between defence and attack in matches. 

How do we rebalance to  help defenders?
Strict enforcement of the 4 step rule? Good luck with that!
Allow 1 man to hold the opponent with  the ball? Smacks of rugger/AFL.
Allow stripping the ball from opponents hand? Why not?
Any thoughts?

That's what the FRC need to look at. They were first brought in to move away from a defensive and possession focus game and now need to strike a balance.

This year was basically trial year to see what does and doesn't work before the rules are locked in for a few years.

[Sideline12]

'To those who insist on keeping the old rules:the game was dying. The new rules have saved it.They've brought fresh energy, new fans, and the future for something we all care about.long may this progress continues.

[Cunny Funt]

'To those who insist on keeping the old rules:the game was dying. The new rules have saved it.They've brought fresh energy, new fans, and the future for something we all care about.long may this progress continues.

Has anybody done that?  Too many new rules changes in short space of time has naturally left things unbalanced and no doubt that will be discussed by HQ as they look to the future and before 2026 inter county season gets up and running.   

[marty34]

Are the pre-season competitions gone for good now e.g. Mc Kenna Cup and O'Byrne Cup etc.?

[Armagh18]

The media have hyped it up as the best championhsip in years. More high scoring.but even the quarter final games weren't great. Monaghan v Donegal maybe the best game. Galway v Meath was mostly poor fare. Armagh were flat as a pancake. Tyrone v Dublin was poor.

only saw the second half of Meath and Galway but thought it was enjoyable and plenty of excitement, Morris was amazing to watch that day. Armagh Kerry wasn't much of a contest but some of O'Sheas scores were top class and I'm sure great for the neutral. The Saturday games were hampered by the slippy pitch.   

[tiempo]

Are the pre-season competitions gone for good now e.g. Mc Kenna Cup and O'Byrne Cup etc.?

The GPA lobbied for retaining them on player welfare grounds, therefore they were retained
The GPA lobbied for removing them on player welfare grounds, therefore they were removed

In short, whatever way the wind is blowing

[Joeythelips]

The main problem is the lack of seeding to placate provincial championships, and it will be a problem again next year because the eight provincial finalists will be drawn against the remaining top ranked team in the first round. It really should be the 4 provincial winners + next 4 based on league against the next 8 ranked teams. But they can't get away from treating a provincial loser with a top 8 ranking even thought apart from Ulster, and sometimes Connacht, it's likely they are Div 2/3 teams.

Totally agree with this in regards to lack of seeding and clinging to provincial structures is what prevents it. The same happens in hurling.

They should playoff provincials as a stand alone tournament. Seedings for AI championship are based on last year's championship, league position and provincial form. Then do a draw based for AI series based on seeding, proper knockout.

Maybe even run off the Taitleann cup first, winners get into AI preliminary round. That way every county is in the AI race theoretically. A nice carrot for the winners

[bennydorano]

Are the pre-season competitions gone for good now e.g. Mc Kenna Cup and O'Byrne Cup etc.?

The GPA lobbied for retaining them on player welfare grounds, therefore they were retained
The GPA lobbied for removing them on player welfare grounds, therefore they were removed

In short, whatever way the wind is blowing

Has there been one admission from anyone in GPA / GAA that this was a huge mistake? It was so obviously needed this year it should raise questions about the competency of those who were the decision makers.