The 2023 All Ireland Senior Football Championship (Sam Maguire Cup)

I prefer even the traditional qualifier setup where teams got a second chance but you still had shocks. Small counties got home matches against big favourites and beat them. The good in that is gone now.

The only thing I like about the new setup is the likes of Galway having a big championship match against Tyrone in Salthill instead of Croke Park in hopefully good weather. That's a big thing.

Croke Park is drab unless it's at least 3/4 full. These home matches will be good days out.

No reason that a "small" county can't do the same over three games. Shouldn't be too difficult to finish third in a four team league. They should all be regarded as "big" counties, because the also rans are gone to the Tailteann.

It is like sports in most other competitions and in other countries. Celtic, Rangers etc. In football Kerry have 38 titles and Dublin 30. Next best is Galway with 9. The championship format was flawed from the start, with such unequal provinces. They made an effort in the last 20 years or so, to give the majority of teams more than just one game per year. But it will never turn Wicklow or Fermanagh into All Ireland winners. Enjoy it for what it is.

Yeah exactly it doesn't draw the neutrals in. I don't know about anyone else but if my own team wasn't playing. And there were two teams who were well met in terms of standard, I would sit down and watch it. I didn't pay heed to a large chunk of 'championship' matches so far I didn't even switch the screen on.

It seems to me that the GAA have caught themselves between a rock and hard place. They want better quality games but they want to 'include' every county regardless of ability. But the latter part seems like that attitude of sports day in primary school IMO.

Surely a seeded weighting of teams based on performance in league and championship would be much better. They do it in soccer where teams have to earn the right to get that higher seeding. And the bigger teams suffer the consequences if standards slip. I know they are trying to tie in league and championship to some extent but to me it seems half assed.

There is more matches and mismatches will happen regardless of format. Cork in recent past brought Mayo to extra time, Louth held their own in Div 2 this year with Dublin and Derry. Sligo will aim to finish 3rd in that group. I'd expect Clare to finish 3rd with the shape Donegal are in this year.

That is a great bonus tbf, almost all county grounds will get a proper summer championship match. Great for the counties, towns and supporters

I actually meant to say small counties knocking out bigger counties/favourites. In a one off game it can be remembered for years. Not the same when it's part of a mini league. Not the same excitement.

GAA statement

https://www.gaa.ie/news/gaa-corrects-record-on-vmtv-statement/

The suggestion that "more games is better" is total bullshit, and it is unfortunate that many in power don't seem to understand why.

Any chance we can put a ban on the constant regurgitating of the format arguments on the competition threads for football and hurling. It's so fuking tedious.

*I'm aware I'm guilty of it too.

Lee is probably a nice guy, but gives the impression of not going on between the ears from an analytical point of view - reminds me of Harry Enfield and his nice but dim 'character from years ago. Nice smile on him,the housewife's choice I'd imagine.

He's harmless enough though, in contrast to his team mate Alan Dillon who has joined the political ranks now off ld his mayo GAA fame. I heard him on the last few days about the GAA go - Jesus he's a right clown. Playing the populist gmse about ould lads not being able to work the internet and moaning about this and that gif course no solutions forthcoming, no brainwave as to how the GAA would finance anything, or why it's being held to different standards to other organizations, or how the GAA pay wall is different from the Sky pay wall.... Guy came across as a right idiot.

At least Leroy has no power and is unlikely to get any, Dillon is a different kettle of fish.

Is it me or does Keegan talk way too fast at times? It's like several of his words blend into one when he gets a bit animated.

I wonder do RTE give these guys any media training at all.

I often wondered that myself, Michael Duignan is a bit like that for the hurling, tries to say as much as he in one breath like he is running out of phone credit or something.

I wouldn't say most of the ex players are bothered with media training. The likes of Wooly Parkinson who went of and did media course are few and far between.

If he is on the line on Sunday I cannot see that as doing Derry any favors, but Gallagher being Gallagher I would not see him stepping down voluntarily.