Knockout plans a big hit with chiefs
ANOTHER helping of knockout championship football — and perhaps a further ration of shocks?
Ulster Council PRO Declan Woods was in understandably positive mood following yesterday’s confirmation that the provincial and All-ireland series, with no qualifiers or Tailteann Cup, will once again carry a sudden-death element.
There is also the possibility that fans may be permitted to attend games as time passes, but there are no indicators in this connection just yet.
With last year’s fascinating Ulster Championship still fresh in the mind, Woods believes that a similar format will once again bring added allure to the province’s showpiece competition.
“We are all cognisant that we are still in a very difficult space and it’s incumbent on us that we adopt a competition model that will enable our games to be played,” points out Woods.
“Now that we know matches will be on a knockout basis, we can finalise preparations for our Ulster Championship fixtures draw, which will take place shortly.”
He added: “Obviously the interest is beginning to build up but we must take one step at a time. Last year’s Ulster series proved hugely successful and hopefully it will be a case of same again this year.”
With Cavan having surged to a surprising title success last November, the spotlight is beginning to focus on this year’s competition. The inter-county season will run from May 8/9 to the weekend of August 28/29 when the All-ireland football final will be played.
But, firstly, the not insignificant matter of the Allianz League has to be confronted. Each team is guaranteed four games, with the competition running from May 15/16 to June 19/20, with the Ulster Championship following afterwards.
Divisions 1 and 2 of the Allianz Hurling League will run from the weekend of May 8/9 to the weekend of June 12/13. Division 3 will run from the weekend of May 15/16 to the weekend of June 19/20.
The fact that the provincial club football and hurling championships did not take place last year was a huge disappointment, but it has been confirmed that this year’s competitions will get under way in mid-november.
As things stand, the All-ireland senior club finals in both codes have been provisionally scheduled for the weekend of February 12/13, 2022 — which is perhaps only a dot on the horizon at the minute but at least provision has been made.
Antrim have good reason to look forward to the All-ireland Senior Hurling Championship having won the Joe McDonagh Cup last year, and they will take part in the Leinster series along with Kilkenny, Galway, Wexford, Dublin and Laois.
This will be played with back door qualifiers but also with the introduction of relegation to the Joe Mcdonagh Cup.
The Leinster arena will be a much more demanding environment for Antrim given the quality of opposition they are likely to encounter, but manager Darren Gleeson will be optimistic that his side can meet the challenge head-on.