Should the soccer championship keep the knockout format?

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Dublin’s move to a 10th Leinster SFC crown on the rebound has reignited discussion about the future of provincial football.

Dessie Farrell’s men wiped out Meath by 21 points and are looking further ahead of their Leinster rivals than ever.

This year he has changed the championship to a knockout format: no Super 8, no back door.

Although no one in Leinster has come anywhere near to altering the odds, Cavan and Tipperary have had fairytale hits in Ulster and Munster respectively. Now they can wait for the semifinals of all Ireland.

The Sunday Game panel discussed the situation of the land in this winter championship and asked if the knockout format should be maintained beyond this year impacted by Covid-19.

“Ten years have passed [Dublin] dominance and there’s no real sign that’s going to change anytime soon, “said Sean Cavanagh.

“If I had to bet for another ten years, would there be any other winners besides Dublin? Probably not.

“I’ve been a huge fan of the direct knockout. I think it’s worked really well and you can see the Tipp and Cavan scenes. I think it gives teams hope. As a neutral watching the games, I think it adds to the chances.

“If you add supporters I think it would add even more to that. I guess the flip side is, if you’re a county that’s in Leinster, you’re effectively playing for your league because if you face Dublin at some point you’re going to be removed “.

However, Colm Cooper had reservations about the format.

“I’m not sure that’s the way to go,” he said. “I love the direct knockout, it gives him an advantage. But are teams going to improve if they only have one championship game? It would be a step backwards.

“We need to give the teams games. The biggest concern for me is the prospects. What makes players train for six months out of the year to play, go to the gym, take care of their nutrition, is the prospect of winning something.”

“At this stage, the other teams in Leinster don’t have a chance to pass as a Cavan or a Tipperary, and that’s probably the most worrying point.

“If I were the chairman of the Leinster Council, or indeed the GAA, that’s what I’d be most concerned about.”



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