Controversial All-Ireland SFC group stage format may survive another year
Delegates could still choose to back the proposed qualifier system for next year, which would then be deliberated at a Special Congress later in the year, but the CCCC’s influence will carry significant weight.
The much-criticised All-Ireland SFC group format may yet be retained for the 2025 season.
The structure, which sees three teams qualify for the knockout stages from a group of four, has been panned for its lack of competitiveness, with 24 games required to eliminate just four teams. A similar model exists for the Tailteann Cup.
It has been in place for the last two seasons though change seemed to be afoot for next year after a qualifier-style system was put forward, which would see the 16 teams play off against each other to determine the last eight and would eliminate the situation that occurred in this year’s Championship whereby Roscommon and Derry reached the quarter-finals despite losing three games.
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But the Central Competitions Control Committee is to propose at this Saturday’s Central Council meeting that a vote on a format should only come into force in 2026 to allow counties to plan their season accordingly, reports the Irish Examiner.
Delegates could still choose to back the proposed qualifier system for next year, which would then be deliberated at a Special Congress later in the year, but the CCCC’s influence will carry significant weight.
It is also to be proposed that a provision be made for provincial final replays, with two of the last three Ulster football deciders being determined by a penalty shootout, along with All-Ireland finals going straight to a replay instead of extra-time.
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