Here we are now again at the knockout stages of the league. Teams involved are the three who came out of Munster in 2023 and the other was in the All-Ireland final. So in that regard the best from last year are still the best so far this year.
I think we can all agree we have had a much more meaningful league this year thus far, with some keenly contested battles as a result of the real threat of relegation. This will continue next year, with two teams being relegated out of the top seven so that should keep that competitive factor in the games. There will also be no semi-finals next year, which for me makes total sense as it will allow an extra weeks' grace for managers to get championship-ready. The final will remain but I would ask why?
Take this weekend’s games: should the two favourites in the form of Limerick and Clare win their respective semis then the league final will see them challenge each other for a national title. However, with the same fixture due to take place two weeks later the challenge could be loose at best. Neither would want to give away too much before the big show in championship and nobody can blame them for this.
Should Tipperary and Kilkenny come out on top I think it would make for a more honest and open league final as neither will face each other again unless in the All-Ireland series, so no need to hold back there really. Tipp will be the last team to puck a ball in the Liam MacCarthy and Kilkenny’s first game is against Antrim so that window for recovery is good for both those teams. So from a neutral viewpoint we all want a Kilkenny and Tipp win this weekend...
I think the winner of the league should be just that: the top team at the end of the group league games, no semis, no final. Straight away you’ve knocked off two weeks of games and thus allowed at least a four-week break for teams to fine tune for the championship. A chance for them to let the hair down, take a break away from the cauldron of inter-county life for a few days, maybe even a week, recharge the batteries and go at it full tilt again, just like the good old days!
I can only see the benefits of this for all involved and especially for the players. It could mean some rip-roaring final-round league games where teams are trying to avoid relegation or become champions. The excitement of where the cup will be going - they’ll probably have to get a second just in case - the crowds at the games with so much at stake and all safe in the knowledge it will be four weeks before we see these players in action again. A win-win.
The cons for some would be the loss of gate receipts for a league final, while some may also bemoan the fact that payers would love the opportunity to play in Croke Park but let’s be honest most teams in the top tier have played there or will play there sooner rather than later. The case for the day in Croker might be a stronger one for the teams in the lower divisions.
If the league final is to remain a permanent fixture there must be some incentive for the top-placed team after the group phase. If you finish top you should be at home for that final. Gate receipts and the incentive of your home crowd cheering you on, I think that’s tempting enough as a reward for finishing top of the pile.
"For many players and management teams this is now a pre-season tournament in all but name"
Speaking recently about the stop-start nature of his team so far in the league, Kilkenny's legendary goalkeeper Eoin Murphy said: "I’m a huge fan of the split season. Probably not a huge fan of such a short break between league and championship because you’re in such a hard block of training now. It’s just a block of training that you’re in now that’s really your pre-season and it’s quite tough on the guys. No excuses because you still want to perform on match-days but it’s really prepping for the Leinster Championship."
So we can see that for many players and management teams this is now a pre-season tournament in all but name. Allowing them more time to get that block of training in pre-championship could mean players being fresher for the league games, meaning higher quality contests. Removing two weeks of fixtures with the semis and final gone would only add to this freshness and eagerness to go at it. We know it’s the league and championship is where it’s at but let’s make it the best we possibly can and the way we can is by offering the less is more approach to this competition.
If you’re heading to the games this weekend enjoy them, be safe and please God it will stop raining someday. Our pitches need it and the first person who complains it is too warm during the summer is entitled to a good dig.
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