All Ireland series

Not sure if it’s been mentioned on here but con

Mickey Gormley said:

Is it an open draw for the 2nd v 3rd playoffs or is the decided beforehand

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i think it’ll be a draw and try to avoid repeat pairings from provincials as far as I know.

Not sure if it’s been mentioned on here, but condolences to David and Paudie Clifford and the entire family on the death of their mother. 2 lads showed their class yesterday on a difficult day.

PatMustard said:

Cora Staunton summed up the new format - The group stages will have 24 games. Only 4 teams eliminated at the end of it. That’s a lot of football, and we’re still not really getting anywhere.

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Cora showed her lack of research here in my opinion. There’s a massive difference in the path to the semi final between finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the group and none of that will be settled until the final game.

I find a lot of the analysis on RTÉ lacks knowledge of the format, no one seems capable of explaining the structure or being positive about it. It’s almost as if they’re asking ‘right so, what happens next’ every week. And they’re constantly caught up in the moment, back to questioning the existence of the provincials because of two games. My eyes near rolled out of head listening to those two.

Hoops said:

Cora showed her lack of research here in my opinion. There’s a massive difference in the path to the semi final between finishing 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the group and none of that will be settled until the final game.

I find a lot of the analysis on RTÉ lacks knowledge of the format, no one seems capable of explaining the structure or being positive about it. It’s almost as if they’re asking ‘right so, what happens next’ every week. And they’re constantly caught up in the moment, back to questioning the existence of the provincials because of two games. My eyes near rolled out of head listening to those two.

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Yes, I get that bit, but she was correct in What she said.

4 group of 4 teams, 6 matches in each group. At the end of all those 24 games, only 4 teams gone (the bottom teams in each group).

24 games, and only 4 knocked out. Don’t you think that’s a lot of matches just to eliminate 4 teams?

It’s basically an extension of the Super 8’s. There were some tankings in that, with teams like Roscommon, Meath, Kildare heavily beaten. With Sligo and Westmeath in the group of 16, you’ll see more tankings.

Kerry could win 1 from 3 in the group stage, and still go on and win Sam. It’s mad, Ted.

Opening All-Ireland senior football group fixtures confirmed:

Saturday May 20
Clare v Donegal, Cusack Park, 2pm

Kerry v Mayo, Fitzgerald Stadium, 3pm, GAAGO

Galway v Tyrone, Pearse Stadium, 5.15pm, GAAGO

Sunday May 21
Sligo v Kildare, Markievicz Park, 2.30pm

PatMustard said:

Yes, I get that bit, but she was correct in What she said.

4 group of 4 teams, 6 matches in each group. At the end of all those 24 games, only 4 teams gone (the bottom teams in each group).

24 games, and only 4 knocked out. Don’t you think that’s a lot of matches just to eliminate 4 teams?

It’s basically an extension of the Super 8’s. There were some tankings in that, with teams like Roscommon, Meath, Kildare heavily beaten. With Sligo and Westmeath in the group of 16, you’ll see more tankings.

Kerry could win 1 from 3 in the group stage, and still go on and win Sam. It’s mad, Ted.

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Yeah it's a serious amount of football especially for the teams in ulster that get to the final. The new system is probably in part trying to address the lack of competition in the other 3 provinces. If there were 16 or more teams of a similar level this would be a better approach. Not that long ago we were possibly that pot 4 team although we wouldn't think of ourselves that way!

The tale will be told after a couple of seasons of this. Teams will figure out if it's best to win their province or head off training, if they are developing by being in this series or better off in the Tailteann. Supporters will vote with their feet if the games aren't meaningful and the organisation will count the coppers. How will the impact on club football and player development be assessed?

Taking it at face value the system is trying to deliver a key ethos of the Association; promoting and developing the game. However equality of access to sponsorship and funding for development is more necessary than offering the odd day out in Croke Park.

It's as good as it gets for now and we'll think it's a great approach when we win Sam this summer! The likely outcome is that bar a few exceptions, over time the same teams will come to the fore. The more things change and all that....

I think the 2023 system is worth a rattle and can be judged in the round at the end.

Pure meritocracy would mean we just have the league. The fact that it comes down to a draw and knock out games creates the cup runs, upsets and (un)lucky draws that we love and occasionally hate.

PatMustard said:

24 games, and only 4 knocked out. Don’t you think that’s a lot of matches just to eliminate 4 teams?

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I would agree if that were the only purpose of the group, but it isn’t.

I think there’d be more purposeless games and lopsided results if only the top 2 go through, as more teams will be knocked out before the final game and have nothing left to play for. Which is basically what happened in the super 8s and lead to some of the lopsided results you’re referring to. Allowing 3 teams to go through and placing some meaning behind the final positions maintains the integrity of the group phase.

In your Kerry example, change that Armagh and I’d be happy enough..

So Armagh can win one game lose 2 games & make it out of the group & still have a chance of winning the All Ireland it's a f**king laugh

ragingbull said:

So Armagh can win one game lose 2 games & make it out of the group & still have a chance of winning the All Ireland it's a f**king laugh

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Let's hope we're laughing!

ragingbull said:

So Armagh can win one game lose 2 games & make it out of the group & still have a chance of winning the All Ireland it's a f**king laugh

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Worse than that - a county can actually make the play offs by not winning a match in the round robin. Even one draw might be enough to get through!!

ragingbull said:

Opening All-Ireland senior football group fixtures confirmed:

Saturday May 20
Clare v Donegal, Cusack Park, 2pm

Kerry v Mayo, Fitzgerald Stadium, 3pm, GAAGO

Galway v Tyrone, Pearse Stadium, 5.15pm, GAAGO

Sunday May 21
Sligo v Kildare, Markievicz Park, 2.30pm

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Massive Stewards enquiry going on in the 'nothing is free state' about the amount of games on 'Lady GA GA GO' all the small ball analysts giving it to the GAA and RTE down the Glen, could be a big own goal, Likely our first round match will be on this , the BBC don't have rights until the semi finals I think , there will be a lot of disgruntled people in Kerry and Mayo I feel , rural counties where the WIFI wouldn't be great in many areas , not really ideal for the elderly this forum (not our forum GA GA GO).

Ouch It’s Francie said:

Worse than that - a county can actually make the play offs by not winning a match in the round robin. Even one draw might be enough to get through!!

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Yeah but that's only this year, I thing it will morph into what will be the right way, top 2 through, using league for groups and only provincial winners being top seeds. Them changes and you've a far better all Ireland

Provincial winners can still go out at the round robin stage. I would have them bypass the group stages and preliminary QFS and have them waiting for who comes through. Reduce the four groups to three teams with the winner of each group playing against the provincial champions. Provincial finalists may become a bit stale at that point.

Armagh_paul said:

Provincial winners can still go out at the round robin stage. I would have them bypass the group stages and preliminary QFS and have them waiting for who comes through. Reduce the four groups to three teams with the winner of each group playing against the provincial champions. Provincial finalists may become a bit stale at that point.

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I like that idea better than the one in place.

But that would mean only 12 games compared to 28. The GAA aren’t going to lose out on that much revenue.

Armagh_paul said:

Provincial winners can still go out at the round robin stage. I would have them bypass the group stages and preliminary QFS and have them waiting for who comes through. Reduce the four groups to three teams with the winner of each group playing against the provincial champions. Provincial finalists may become a bit stale at that point.

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I was thinking that myself the other day, but then you’d have Dublin and Kerry in a semi final without breaking sweat and the Connacht winners playing one or two competitive games.

While I don’t like group games in a championship at all, you need the top 3 going through or most final games will be dead rubbers.

Armaghball said:

I was thinking that myself the other day, but then you’d have Dublin and Kerry in a semi final without breaking sweat and the Connacht winners playing one or two competitive games.

While I don’t like group games in a championship at all, you need the top 3 going through or most final games will be dead rubbers.

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Perhaps have a wildcard round where Connacht and Munster have to play against the best two group runner-ups

I would say the aim of getting more games is fine but the problem is there's no jeopardy until after the group stages and the same for most of the big teams in their province. That take the championship feel out of it.

When the provincial finalists are known , add in the Tailteann cup winners with the top 7 seeds knocked out of their championships. Play them off, winner goes into a group with provincial winner and runner up top 2 teams go on to quarter finals.

Essentially pot 3 v 4 to get into the round robin. Probably not a great incentive to win the Tailteann (could the 4 losers drop to the Tailteann?) but maybe a good one to keep the provincial championships relevant.

3 Games Upcoming

Westmeath at Home 27th /28th May (I think in will be Sat Evening )
Tyrone Away 3rd 4th June
Galway Neutral 17th 18th June (Mullingar or Portlaoise ?)

I can see why the team that loses the provincial finals always performed poorly in the qualifiers, if the players feel the way that I feel today its very hard to pick your self up after that match yesterday .

Does the team that comes 2nd get home advantage in the Preliminary playoff ?

William Of Orange said:

3 Games Upcoming

Westmeath at Home 27th /28th May (I think in will be Sat Evening )
Tyrone Away 3rd 4th June
Galway Neutral 17th 18th June (Mullingar or Portlaoise ?)

I can see why the team that loses the provincial finals always performed poorly in the qualifiers, if the players feel the way that I feel today its very hard to pick your self up after that match yesterday .

Does the team that comes 2nd get home advantage in the Preliminary playoff ?

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chatting to joyce coming out of the game yesterday and he reckoned the galway game will be in croke park as part of a double header