Ulster SHC revamp

cms88

The Ulster SHC is undergoing a major revamp next season, with the introduction of a two-tier format.

For an initial two-year trial period, Antrim, Derry, Armagh and Down will compete in the top level while Fermanagh, Donegal, Monaghan and Tyrone will face off in the second tier. Cavan have opted out of the competition for the time being.

Semi-finals and a final will be staged in both tiers, with promotion and relegation taking place between the tiers.

In Tier One next year, Antrim will play Derry with Armagh facing Down in the semi-finals. The winners will contest the final and the semi-final losers will meet in a play-off, with the losing side swapping places with the winner of the second-tier competition.


No dates have been confirmed for the competition yet, although it is believed that Ulster Council would like to run it off in July, after the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher Cup competitions have concluded.

Good idea i feel. The more games the likes of Donegal, Tyrone etc get the better. Rather than being put in with the likes of Antrim where they wont get a chance to develop, this way they can. Even if only one of them are able to make the step up i would see it as a success

Prop Joe

Good idea,Think Leinster & Connaught should implement something similar

Rockfish

Prop Joe wrote: »

Good idea,Think Leinster & Connaught should implement something similar

Connaught doesnt have a SHC

Rockfish

Prop Joe wrote: »

Good idea,Think Leinster & Connaught should implement something similar

Connaught doesnt have a SHC and even so, not much point having 2 tiers with only 4 teams

cj maxx

Rockfish wrote: »

Connaught doesnt have a SHC and even so, not much point having 2 tiers with only 4 teams

They really could have a 4 team compition. No need for the winners to go to qf's or anything just a stand alone conpitition
Whether it shold be a league system or just a sf and final should be up to the counties

cjmc

cjmc wrote: »

They really could have a 4 team compition. No need for the winners to go to qf's or anything just a stand alone conpitition
Whether it shold be a league system or just a sf and final should be up to the counties

The difference would be that Galway would be left out.

At least if someone wins the Ulster they can say "we're the champions".
If you did it in Connacht they're saying "we're second best by a country mile".

cj maxx

gilberto_eire wrote: »

The difference would be that Galway would be left out.

At least if someone wins the Ulster they can say "we're the champions".
If you did it in Connacht they're saying "we're second best by a country mile".

Which is the case anyway as ONLY galway would ever win a connaught championship.
Have a 4 team competetion to see whos best of the rest and let them have their day and call it whatever you want.
Difference with ulster is you could see derry or down upsetting antrim every few years but one out of antrim/derry/down will probably win it every year so tier 2 is a 'best of the rest' completion.
Which fine if it gives players from the weaker counties meangful games during the summer rather than one hammering which will undo the work done in those counties.

DEFTLEFTHAND

Speaking of the Connacht SHC I don't think any Galway player ever looked forward to that game with Roscommon. More interested in warping hurls off fellas than playing.

cms88

There has been a Connaught Intermediate championship for the last few years between Roscommon and Mayo. Would be good to get the other 2 involved in it as well

howiya

cms88 wrote: »

There has been a Connaught Intermediate championship for the last few years between Roscommon and Mayo. Would be good to get the other 2 involved in it as well

Will that be done away with under the proposals to get rid of intercounty intermediate and junior grades?

cms88

howiya wrote: »

Will that be done away with under the proposals to get rid of intercounty intermediate and junior grades?

Not sure really. The winners didn't go on to the All Ireland at all