National Hurling League 2023 Discussion

When the presenter of a show that promotes a national sport (our oldest and most valuable) that a state broadcaster has bought the rights to, I'd expect that presenter to treat the sport and competition to promote respect and value for the sport.

Snide bullshit about it, making jokes about the state of the competition, won't cut it. It's actually very damaging. Whatever about social media complaints on here or elsewhere, that's a different format and can be taken likely. This is the national broadcaster, denigrating the sport. There's kids waiting all week, begging to stay up to watch that show and the someone comes out with that. That's bullshit of the highest order and it doesn't help anyone, especially the sport.

Two of the four semi final spots in the Hurling league were decided at the weekend.

We'd be better off if the hurling and football rights were separated out and there were dedicated hurling shows.....the league sunday/Sunday game format doesn't work as they don't have the time to show everything. It's going to be a big issue this year with the substantial increase in the number of football matches.

One thing that is never mentioned with all the complaining about the league is the huge numbers of kids that are at these matches (free) and the enjoyment they get from running on to the pitch at the end to meet players. Was at Limerick v Westmeath in mulligar, there were a bus load of kids from Westmeath on the terrace beside me, they spent the day discussing whose autographs they might be able to get after the match.

Ah I think its great, they are genuinely excited and I don't think it bothers the players too much.

The galway one was gas, coach left about 30 sliothars down for a drill, walked away for 5 minutes and the whole lot were swiped by a swarm of kids.

Yeah, not a bad idea in an ideal world.

Hurling has 35 teams if you count the three across the water. A 12 team senior championship, a 12 team intermediate championship, and an 11 team junior championship. Top two in the SF's, 3-6 in the QF's for each tier. Bottom team relegated, champions promoted.

Do something similar with football, two 16 team divisions. Teams 1-8 face each other in QF's. Bottom 3 in Div 1 relegated. Two finalists and winner of promotion playoff (two losing semi-finalists) promoted from Div 2.

Run direct knockout Cup competitions based on provincial system in both codes (solves the New York conundrum in football).

Yeah, I suppose. It'd be 24 weeks in total if you count a cup competition in football. A bit mad alright. Might be for the professional era as you say.

Hurling could technically be run at the moment as a 12 Senior/12 Intermediate/11 Junior and amalgamate the provincials into it seeing as they basically have that many games anyway between the league and championship.

If you win the league you play seven games. Round robin in munster is another four or five games if Kerry come into it. Then you're into knock out games in championship. If you got rid of championship and league as it is, and put them into a championship league you could have games every week and force a county to use its panel and extended panel. That way lads are not training for nothing.

Why not have a game every week in a championship league- you'd be forced to rotate the panel in a proper manner, players will get a lot of games, and the best panel of players will win. Counties go too long not playing each other - does nothing to build up rivalries or get other counties involved. A lot of counties are out too soon after putting in too much effort.