Are the GAA qualifiers a fix?

cournioni

I've noticed over the past while, that there are alot of Ulster vs Ulster clashes in the qualifiers. As a matter of fact two teams so far have been knocked out so far in Ulster vs. Ulster games in the QF's (Antrim and Cavan so far) and either Down or Donegal will go out in the next round. All the Ulster teams except one (Monaghan) are still in the qualifiers after playing teams from opposing provences.

I'm wondering if the GAA are heeding Mr Spillane's comments on Ulster football by trying to dump them out one way or another. Or maybe they are afraid that the rest of the country will lose interest. What do you think? Should there be an open draw for the All Ireland title and have the provincial titles as a seperate competition or what?

PH01

First of all, I don't think that any of the Qualifiers are fixed. Those fine gentlemen in the GAA would never stand for it, and I'm surprised at you for even suggesting such a thing. And if the GAA was into 'fixing', Dublin would still be in the Championship

The reason why there are so many Ulster teams still in the championship is because there are many Ulster teams (9 in all) and many of them are very good. The cream always rises to the top, and all that.

I'd like to see the qualifiers going a step further. They have been hugely beneficial promoting the game in the middle ranking counties like Sligo. Remember the time when those counties would only get one game a year!? One game a year isn't enough to keep interest in the game.
Each county should get at least four games in the championship every year, imo. To do this they'll have to split up the All Ireland and the Provincial championships into separate streams. Keep the provincials a knockout competition, and turn the All Ireland into a league with a knockout competition for the best 8 teams.
I've put a little thought into this me.

Imposter

I think it's always too easy to shout fix when a dodgy fixture shows up. It's bound to happen at some stage. Are the provincials fixed?

I'd like to see the provincial championships played seperately as a knock-out competitionlike they are now.

I'd change the championship though to have 8 groups of 4 or 5 (in football) with possibly seeded teams from the previous year. These play each other once and then everyone gets at least 3 games. The top 2 go into opposite sides of a knock-out series where winners play against second teams. Gives everyone more games. Allows no back door after the initial mini leagues. You could also go like the champions league with a second group stage but that I think would only favour the bigger teams by giving them a back door.

To do this i'd scrap the league as well. It's worthless and it only serves the purpose of bringing new players through. Friendlies (if such a concept is possible) could also do this. I'd play the provincials in March if possible, or at least finished by mid April when the champ starts.

Hurling I'd have 2 bigger groups (maybe 6 in each in the A) and the same with a B champ and possibly a C champ with relegation/promotion etc. That way teams like Dublin, Laois, Kerry and Ulster teams play decent opposition in 5 games every year. Weaker teams also have something meaningful to aim for. Then play quarters with a 1 V 4, 2 V 3 system for the 2 groups. Lots of more high profile games but no more games for players than before (no League).

All that crap about traditional championships obviously doesn't work and imo it's time ot bite the bullet and make radical changes before hurling dies and the back-door system leads to more teams winning the 'traditional' All- Ireland by this way.

AthAnRi

What ever about the Football The Hurling has to change. I know every one in munster will be cringing at this suggestion but Munster is only one province.

I agree that the Munster championship should be left as it is, but in a seperate competition.

Then the 16 top teams should be divided into 4 groups of 4. And the rest into another division.

The first year this should be done randomly, but every other year it should be done by seeds. For example if Kilkenny win the AllIreland they should be number 1 seeds, runners up number 2 seeds etc.

2 teams from each group in division 2 go into 1/4 finals and the bottom 2 teams play a relagation play off. Eventual loosers go into division2.

Same Idea with division 2. Winner can be announced All Ireland B Cahmpions and they can gain access into the All Ireland A competition. The first year the teams could be divided as follows

Div 1 Div2
Kilkenny All The Rest
Tipp
Cork
Waterford
Limerick
Clare
Wexford
Offaly
Galway
Antrim
Down
Derry
Dublin
Laois
Kerry
Meath

uRbaN

i dont think its fixed..but i certainly wouldnt call the gaa an honest organisation. It is too seeped in ancient irirsh social legacies to be in touch with contemporary overpriced cappuccino in pretentious coffeeshop ireland.

Big Ears

No its not fixed and i think that things are good the way they are people are talking about makiny the all ireland a league format but we already have a league just put a little more emphasis on it make it more important and thats problem solved.

McG

I don't believe the qualifiers were fixed but I'm seriously suspicious at the GAAs idea that Castlebar is a fair neutral venue for the Galway v Donegal replay.

I've heard rumours from senior county players that a leak from the GAA council said that they are trying to give every advantage possible to Galway as they don't want 3 Ulster teams in the last 4.