The holes in hurling’s new structures could cause problems
WITH the National League over, thoughts are already turning to the Championship and what it all means for the summer ahead. It’s amazing that Kilkenny came to the fore in such a manner — but then, should we really be that surprised when Brian Cody continues to defy convention.
A snapshot of his record caught my eye since the latest success: over the course of his 20 seasons in charge spanning 242 games played in all competitions, Kilkenny have won 177. That’s a staggering 73 per cent win rate.
It shows you that they take every game seriously. While other teams second guess themselves or try take different approaches, Kilkenny’s agenda is simple: go out and try your damnedest.
Their success just adds to the pot that’s simmering nicely ahead of Championship. I have to say I’m really excited about the new round-robin Championship in Leinster and Munster. Nobody knows quite how it’s going to pan out but it’s certainly worth a try.
The top five teams in both provinces will have two home matches which is all about bringing the game to the people.
The flipside of every county getting four serious matches is that two teams will be knocked out by June 9 in Leinster and by June 17 in Munster.
For me the positives far outweigh any negatives. As for the suggestion that four matches in four weeks is too much — nonsense. The problem is there is too much training for too few matches.
If counties simply aren’t good enough to progress, then it gives the local club championships a free run for the summer.
I remember the early 1990s with Offaly. In May 1991 we were beaten in the first round by Dublin. In ’92 and ’93 we were beaten by Kilkenny who went on to win the All-Ireland both years. But it all meant the club scene was hotly contested. Birr won a first Leinster championship in ’91. In St Rynagh’s, we also won Leinster around that time so the club scene was vibrant.
If you’re not good enough to win the All-Ireland at inter-county level, why drag out the summer?
This summer’s schedule will be tough going, will require strong panels. But for the two counties in each province who don’t make it out of the group, the players can go back and enjoy some meaningful club competition.
One of my young fellas said the other day: ‘All I do is play winter hurling — am I ever going to play in summer?’
There is one element to the new format though that perhaps hasn’t been thought out enough. The end game. The final table.
In Leinster, a team is going to be relegated. Unless Kerry win the second tier Joe McDonagh Cup where they face a play-off against the bottom team in Munster to see whether they will be part of the Munster Championship in 2019.
It’s possible for a Leinster team to be automatically relegated but a Munster team gets at least a play-off, which makes it almost impossible to go down.
Two different rules for two different provinces. That’s GAA Congress not doing things right.
It’s the final table that is key for me. The top two teams go through to the provincial final with the third placed team going into the All-Ireland series and a preliminary quarter-final.
But what happens if a number of teams finish on the same points? As per the League, it will then boil down to the head-to-head records first and then score difference.
You could have four teams on four points (two wins, two defeats each) and two of those go out on score difference?
Even the head-to-head poses problems. In Leinster, Dublin and Offaly are favourites for those last two places. What happens if Offaly beat Wexford and have two points? If they lose the head-tohead game against Dublin, they are behind the eight ball. Especially as they have a bye in the last round when Dublin play Galway. What if Galway are already qualified? Dublin could have an easier job in securing a valuable result.
I can see the idea of being relegated on score difference as causing uproar. If the match doesn’t matter to one team, score difference can be warped.
Even head-to-head for teams on similar points will be contentious.
Munster is so competitive so say you end up with four teams on the same points — two of those are going out of the Championship on score difference. Just say Tipperary have topped the group, and ease back on the throttle for their last game. How will that skew the final table?
So here’s my idea to help separate the final placings: introduce a bonus point system. Make it four points for a win, two for a draw, and one bonus point for scoring three goals or more.
It also addresses a number of other issues in the modern game. First, the drop in goal-scoring: the rate in this year’s Division 1A was the lowest since the top flight was split in two, while Galway didn’t score a goal in their last four matches en route to winning the All-Ireland last year. Second, the rise in point-scoring — Galway and Waterford both broke the 30point mark last summer. Third, the tendency for teams to set-up with a sweeper which means less players committed to the fullforward line and less goalmouth action.
Take last summer. Kilkenny scored three goals in the Leinster semi-final against Wexford; Clare hit three in the Munster semifinal against Limerick. Do the same this year and Kilkenny and Clare get a bonus point. It will only make for added excitement.
The game is in a great place. The skill of players is such that the option now with the light sliotar is that players can take a point from 80 to 90 yards. We’ve seen some brilliant scores but you can’t beat a bit of goalmouth action, and the thrill of the crowd when a goal goes in.
A bonus point system could make all the difference.