logo
All-Ireland football group stage draw proves format is a failure – it's unnecessary distraction for provincial finalists

All-Ireland football group stage draw proves format is a failure – it's unnecessary distraction for provincial finalists

The Irish Sun04-05-2025

THE only good thing about the draw for the All-Ireland SFC group stages being made this week was it served as a reminder that this is the final edition of this failure of a format.
While there are logistical reasons for having the Championship mapped out this far in advance, the draw is an unnecessary distraction for the provincial finalists.
1
Graham Geraghty slammed the current All-Ireland SFC format
Credit: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
A revamped system will be in place in 2026, yet the method of separating the Sam Maguire counties from their Tailteann Cup counterparts is to remain the same.
And the flaws of linking it to the provincial competitions have been exposed again this year.
This should not be interpreted as any form of criticism of Clare, for they merely capitalised on the opportunity presented to them like any other team would be happy to do.
But the fact that a win against Tipperary, a Division 4 outfit, was all the Banner needed to secure their place in the All-Ireland series is a joke.
Read More on GAA
Antrim got the better of Clare when the teams met in Division 3 of the National League earlier this season.
But for Andy McEntee's side to compete in the Sam Maguire, victories over Tyrone and All-Ireland champions Armagh would have been required, as well as beating Cavan.
To reach the same destination, Antrim were tasked with surviving shark-infested waters but Clare barely got their feet wet crossing a stream.
As long as they persist with a two-tier Championship, the GAA have to find a way of levelling the playing field for teams with ambitions of being in with the big boys
Most read in Sport

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Galway boxer 'devastated' as historic GAA Stadium bout cancelled on short notice
Galway boxer 'devastated' as historic GAA Stadium bout cancelled on short notice

Irish Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Galway boxer 'devastated' as historic GAA Stadium bout cancelled on short notice

Galway boxer Kieran Molloy has said he is 'devastated' after his Pearse Stadium bout has been cancelled just over two weeks before it was due to take place. Molloy boasts an 11-0 professional record and was set for a headline bout against Kaisee Benjamin at Galway GAA's home stadium but the bout has been called off just 17 days before it was due to take place. The Oughterard man told the Irish Mirror just last week: "I've been dreaming of moments like this since I was a kid." But now his dreams have been shattered. Molloy shared a statement on social media, saying: "I'm devastated to share that my upcoming European Title Fight at Pearse Stadium has been cancelled. The decision was made by the promoter, GBM Sports, and came as a complete shock to me and my team. "This was more than just a fight for me — it was a dream come true to headline a major event in my home county, in front of the people who've backed me from the very start." Molloy added that he sold 2,100 of the 2,500 tickets he had received and that demand was 'growing significantly each day'. "I'm really sorry for the upset, cost and frustration this cancellation has caused." Molloy said that refunds will be issued in due course and that he has parted ways with GBM Sports following the announcement. "This is a tough one to take, but we'll bounce back. Better nights are ahead — and I promise we'll bring something special to Galway one day in the future when the time is right. "Míle, míle buíochas. Gaillimh Abú." The undercard was set to include the likes of Belfast's Sean McComb, Westmeath's Joe Ward, and Hughie Fury, the cousin of heavyweight king Tyson. GBM have now put on a different fight night in Hull on the same night.

Ireland battle but fall short against World No.1 Netherlands in close first encounter
Ireland battle but fall short against World No.1 Netherlands in close first encounter

Irish Examiner

timean hour ago

  • Irish Examiner

Ireland battle but fall short against World No.1 Netherlands in close first encounter

Netherlands 2-0 Ireland Ireland resumed their FIH Pro League season with a close encounter against World No.1 and Olympic champions the Netherlands in Amstelveen. A strong performance from a battling Ireland saw them enjoy long periods of possession and create several chances in front of goal. However, two fortunate goals for the Netherlands saw the home side secure a 2-0 win. The Netherlands threatened from early in the match, with defender Lee Cole called into action almost immediately to clear the ball off the line from an early chance. Ireland responded positively, holding possession well and managing to progress into the Dutch final third, with Ben Walker making his way into the circle, followed by a blocked shot from Alistair Empey. Ireland continued to dominate possession, but a rare chance for the Dutch called Jaime Carr into action to make a smart save. Thierry Brinkman thought he had broken the deadlock with a reverse stick shot but Ireland immediately opted to refer for backstick, which the video umpire agreed with chalking the goal off, seeing the sides end the opening quarter locked at 0-0. Early Dutch pressure again forced Ireland to defend resolutely, answering any questions asked from them. Luke Madeley responded by dribbling out of defence to break the Dutch press, allowing Ireland to mount an attack that ended in Ali Empey drawing a clumsy challenge and winning the first penalty corner of the tie. Luke Madeley's subsequent effort was well blocked by the Dutch first runner. Ireland continued to ask questions of the Dutch, with incisive runs from Fearghus Gibson and Daragh Walsh providing chances. However, a controversial penalty corner for the Netherlands offered them a chance to open the scoring, which Luke Dommershuijzen dispatched to score his first senior goal. Late pressure from the Netherlands in the first half threatened to widen the gap, but a superb block from Matthew Nelson and further defending denied them their second as the sides went into the break. Ireland got the second half underway and immediately looked to attack. Positive play in the final third led to a shot from Lee Cole inside the first minute, but his strike was deemed dangerous, and the Netherlands were given a free out. Patience in possession for Ireland continued to pay dividends, as Matthew Nelson attacked the circle and was unlucky not to get an outcome. The Netherlands, however, showed their goalscoring prowess to double their lead from their first chance of the second half, Steijn van Heijningen deflecting the ball into the net with the deftest of touches. Ireland, though, were determined to continue their positive performance, immediately winning a penalty corner which, again, the Netherlands defended well. Ireland followed this up with another well-worked attacking move which, again, the Dutch cleared. A late flurry of penalty corners before the end of the third quarter called the Irish defence into action again, denying the hosts on three occasions to keep the score at 2-0 at the end of quarter 3. The Netherlands found a higher gear in the final quarter, enjoying longer periods of pressure and manufacturing a handful of shots at goal which Jaime Carr was alive to. Ireland's determination would continue to show with Ali Empey winning Ireland their third penalty corner of the game. Lee Cole's resulting effort was saved and cleared. A penalty corner for the Netherlands inside the final five minutes offered the last moment of note of the game, with Jaime Carr again making a save, to see the game finish in a two-nil win for the Dutch, with the result seeing them extend their lead at the top of the FIH Pro League table to 7 points. The pair will meet again tomorrow, June 12, at 7pm.

Battling Ireland fall to defeat against world No 1 Netherlands
Battling Ireland fall to defeat against world No 1 Netherlands

RTÉ News​

timean hour ago

  • RTÉ News​

Battling Ireland fall to defeat against world No 1 Netherlands

Netherlands 2-0 Ireland Ireland fell to a 2-0 loss against world No 1 and Olympic champions the Netherlands in Amstelveen on Wednesday at they resumed their FIH Pro League season. Ireland played well for large spells, fashioning some good opportunities. However, the Dutch showed their ruthlessness streak to nick two goals that swung things in their favour, albeit they enjoyed the rub of the green for both. The Netherlands threatened from the off, with defender Lee Cole called into action almost immediately to clear the ball off the line. Ireland responded well, holding possession and managing to progress into the Dutch final third, with Ben Walker making his way into the circle, followed by a blocked shot from Alistair Empey. Thierry Brinkman thought he had broken the deadlock with a reverse stick shot but Ireland immediately opted to refer for backstick, which the video umpire agreed with chalking the goal off. Early Dutch pressure in the second quarter again forced Ireland onto the back foot, but Ireland continued to ask questions of their vaunted opponents, with incisive runs from Fearghus Gibson and Daragh Walsh providing chances. However, a controversial penalty corner for the Netherlands offered them a chance to open the scoring, which Luke Dommershuijzen dispatched to score his first senior goal. Ireland started the second half brightly. Positive play it the final third lead to a shot from Lee Cole inside the first minute, but his strike was deemed to be dangerous, and the Netherlands were given a free out. Patience in possession for Ireland continued to pay dividends, as Matthew Nelson attacked the circle and was unlucky to not get an outcome. The Netherlands, however, showed their goalscoring prowess to double their lead from their first chance of the second half, Steijn van Heijningen deflecting the ball into the net with the deftest of touches. They found a higher gear in the final quarter, though Ireland battled to the end. Ultimately the Dutch closed it out to extend their lead at the top of the nine-country FIH Pro League table to seven points. England are second, ahead of Belgium on goal difference. Ireland are bottom with one point from nine matches to date. Ireland will play the Netherlands in Amstelveen again tomorrow at 7pm.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store