New football structure for 2026
Geezer says it’s a joke. Where do we stand?
I think they have jumped the gun a touch.
The major problem of the 4x4 groups is that the 4th team tends to be a whipping horse with no chance of getting through, so the others were just competing for the manner in which they progress to the next round.
We don’t know if the new rules cure that problem or emphasise it, and a change now really prevents more radical change like a third tier if we see some massive hammerings in the groups this year.
The lack of jeopardy will still exist in this format so long as the provincial championships aren’t seeded. Whoever draws Clare effectively gets a bye, the same can happen in Connacht if the draw falls a certain way. It’s a bit of a farce that this hasn’t been corrected yet.
Geezer says it’s a joke. Where do we stand?
I think they have jumped the gun a touch.
The major problem of the 4x4 groups is that the 4th team tends to be a whipping horse with no chance of getting through, so the others were just competing for the manner in which they progress to the next round.
We don’t know if the new rules cure that problem or emphasise it, and a change now really prevents more radical change like a third tier if we see some massive hammerings in the groups this year.
The lack of jeopardy will still exist in this format so long as the provincial championships aren’t seeded. Whoever draws Clare effectively gets a bye, the same can happen in Connacht if the draw falls a certain way. It’s a bit of a farce that this hasn’t been corrected yet.