Another one of those fucking Ulster football threads - don't let the first post fool you

Sport
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The proposals put forward for the reform of the Football Championship. Some garish presentations include, particularly the one on powerpoint with the black background - bloody hell.

The actual changes mentioned are particularly useless as well and will do little to improve any perceived wrongs with the current format.

I instantly stopped reading any proposal which recommended the use of groups. The last thing we need is a smattering of dead rubber games. The majority of proposals put forward include a two-tier Championship - there is no need for this, the players from the weaker counties would seem to be vehemently opposed to it and I don’t it will only serve to widen the gulf between the big counties and smaller ones.

The problems stemming at the moment seem to be exasperated by Mayo and Dublin sprinting away in Connacht and Leinster. Munster is still a two-horse race (with one being a race horse and the other a gypsy horse), Ulster is still very competitive. I don’t see this lasting that much longer in Connacht but Leinster is a huge worry.

Dublin, without question, hold huge advantages over the rest of Leinster in terms of resources (financial, playing numbers and other amenities). Something needs to be done about this, particularly the financial aspect of it and weaker counties should be getting a lot of what Dublin receive by way of grants etc, they also need to be taken out of Croke Park and have a home/away venue allotment the same as any other county - screw the financial aspect of it to bring back a more level playing field. But that is not the only issue, the paucity of the performances of the other Leinster counties is embarrassing of late - particularly the likes of Kildare and Meath. If teams like Tyrone, Kerry, Donegal and Mayo can compete with Dublin then so too should Kildare and Meath. Counties with the population of Wicklow and Louth also need to get their house in order although both would probably be soccer counties.

If there’s an imbalance in the Provncial Championship structure then let the qualifers redress that by segregating counties from the same province meeting each other the qualifiers have ran their course and we’re into the All Ireland series.

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Strange logic there nimby. If all other provinces are weaker by far yiu want an advantage for ulster teams by ensuring that they are drawn against ‘weaker’ ones.

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You idiot. What have you done? :anguished:

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Incorrect, I want the imbalance of the Provincial system redressed. Teams like Cork and Kerry only need win one game against Div 3 or 4 teams to seal a place in the last 12, while 4 Ulster counties in the top 2 Divisions go into the first round of the qualifiers where they can draw each other.

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its disgusting that the Ulster counties are punished for being competitive

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Just as well you have nothing to do with GAA.

Some interesting if repetitive proposals. I would go a completely different way myself but it would never happen.

I would look at something like the NZ rugby model where the seasons are staggered. Basically the Senior IC. (in whatever format you want essentially) runs before major club competition. I think there is a huge need to move club competitions away from exam times and the start of the year.

I would abolish county minor as u18 and make u21 the only real large competition outside of senior. I would creat an u19 competition but make it more tournament like. Played quickly over a few weekends.

As a general structure. I think you have to plan the big picture first, get agreement on that and then talk about competitions. Running important club & county concurrently does not work.

This is important though. No u21’s (or maybe you go u20 and abolish u18/19 idea) play senior IC. They just don’t.

Senior IC
March - early August 》 done & dusted. Whatever format you want. Thats 5 and a bit months. Not many competitions around the world take much longer. I would certainly 2 tier it. Provincials could stay but they have to have a reward.

IC U21
June & July 》 Games can be played alongside Senior.

Club u21
March & April 》 As is the way in some counties anyway. May can be prep for u21 IC and allow lads concentrate on exams etc

Club Senior/Intermediate Pre-Season Cups
March & April

Club Senior/Intermediate/Junior Leagues
May - Early August

Club Senior/Intermediate/Junior etc Championships
Mid/late August to October

There are counties who actually have aomething like this in place already and the clubs just get in with it without county players. Its counties like Cork that cause all the issues as they want county players playing league games. And of course they would as relegation is involved. Kerry the same.

Its a leap of faith and i am expecting the usual plonkers to pick holes in it. But it does make sense.

If course, we have to stop this dual farce for adukts as well.

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Spoken like a lad that couldn’t hack it at minor level.

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What???

Your intent to attack everything i say has you saying some of the dumbest shit i have seen in years on here.

What has my talent (or lack of) as a player got to do with the proposal.

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you arent addressing the lack of competitiveness of the championship at all

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But i think you need a macro plan before a micro one.

People get too much into the nitty gritty first. Horse before the cart stuff.

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You want to ditch minor.

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@Juhniallio, I hope you’re happy.

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As a serious competition played alongside senior games ya.

I would consider either getting rid of it and having an u20, or retaining u21 and having u19. But i would put u19 in a decelooment bracket almost a bit like u17 is now with most counties develooment squads and periododically placed tournaments.

The Leaving Cert and the time lads leave school has changed. The pressures are unbelievable now. I think we ignore that too much. I have seen young lads stressed out of their heads with LC and trying to make a county Minor squad. With the u17s in Cork for instance there is a revolving door and i think throughout the year they may have 40-50 lads come in and out and its less pressure and less exposure. I think thats whats needed till they mature a bit more.

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You know it.

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You want to guarantee ‘strong’ teams safer passage against ‘weaker’ teams. It’s like you only care about ulster sides.

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Haha. Its like he does?

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I want to redress the provincial imbalance. I think what is more pressing is why you would be against it. Their is an imbalance in the Provincial setup so why not use the qualifiers to redress it.

How is what I proposed unfair?

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Are Ulster teams not at a huge advantage in the qualifiers given the competitiveness of the Ulster championship and the good quality games they get earlier in the year.

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Of course they are. Huge advantage.

They just, generally are not as good as other teams.

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No.

How could they be at an advantage when they are thrown in at last chance saloon at an earlier stage.

4 Ulster teams from the top 2 divisions are guaranteed to be in the first round qualifier draw where they face the chance of being drawn together. How is that an advantage?