Clubs in Westmeath have been given the option of choosing a similar football championship to 2019, with two groups of six and five championship games guaranteed.
The proposal, sent to clubs ahead of next Friday’s first County Board meeting of the year, follows a good discussion on the matter at County Convention, with some expressing the view that the 2020 format, which involved groups of three, was more successful.
However, there was opposition to that view and it was felt that clubs should be afforded the extra group games if the window allows for it. Last year’s format was introduced in the face of the covid-19 crisis and clubs were allowed just 12 weeks to play their games.
The Tang GAA Club felt strongly on the issue and put down a motion for County Convention which succeeded in generating debate.
The motion read: ‘Tang GAA wish to propose that the senior and intermediate football championship will remain in the current format (that was set up for the 2020 season). The current format of four groups of three teams provided very competitive games and championship at both grades.’
Delegate, Laura Donoghue said: “It’s very self explanatory and we propose that it would go to planning and be spoken about in detail there.”
OPPOSED TO CHANGE
The Downs had an opposing view, though and stressed that just because last year presented an emergency situation, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the old forward (two groups of six) be cast to one side.
Aidan McGuire said the club is opposed to deviating from what was the original championship.
“We as a club would be opposed to that (Tang) motion. Don’t forget that 2020 was an extraordinary and exceptional year, requiring extraordinary manoeuvring to get championships played. It wasn’t normal; it wasn’t an agreed championship, according to planning. It was an emergency type of action in order to play the championships,” he noted.
“So, I think we’d have to look very long and hard at running a similar type championship again, throwing out what was, in effect, the agreed format for championships. Also, it may have a very detrimental affect on county finances as well. Something that happens in an emergency doesn’t necessarily mean it should continue after the emergency is over.”
He felt Westmeath would need to consider the split season and when the club championships will actually take place.
Joe Scally of Bunbrosna reminded clubs that the 2020 format increased the threat of relegation. Despite being in Group 1 of the Intermediate Championship for 2020 (old format), which would have kept them safe from relegation, Bunbrosna ended up being relegated to the junior grade, which could happen to other clubs going forward.
“We, this year, fell victims to the new system. Under the old system, clubs who did well the previous year (and got to Group 1) were safe from relegation. We would have been in that position coming into 2020, where we were in the top half of the intermediate section. As it played out, we had a very poor year and we ended up being relegated from that, whereas if the old format had been used, we would still be an intermediate team,” he observed.
EVERY GAME MATTERED
Rosemount’s Niall O’Brien was very positive about the 2020 format and felt, despite Bunbrosna’s concerns, it should continue.
“This year’s championship was an absolutely brilliant spectacle; every game mattered; there was no dead rubber games. While I would feel for the teams that were relegated, and Joe (Scally’s) point about being in the upper section, I think the point is lost on why there is no relegation from the top section under the old format,” he remarked.
“The reason is that the stronger teams are playing each other and it would be unfair to have one of them in a relegation play-off. That’s why the relegation comes out of the weaker group, because there are so-called weaker teams in that section and they played against each other. I wouldn’t agree with the fact that clubs should be safe for a year.”
Contrary to The Downs, he felt the 2020 championship would boost finance.
“There are nine games less in the championship format for 2020, but I would argue that if attendances were allowed, gate receipts would go up because the games were more important, more exciting and I think they would result in better attendances. That’s my view,” he said.
Tang’s Laura Donoghue felt the quality of the championship in 2020 was better and the system is fairer to dual players.
However, Coralstown/ Kinnegad’s Jim Rock noted that the system in 2020 suited the year and the circumstances that prevailed, but if we can go back to normal, the 2019 system was better. He felt it allowed weaker teams to make progress over a period of time when they win promotion to the higher grade.
“If we get back to normal playing conditions, we should go back to that,” he added.
Clubs are due to debate the issue on Friday evening.
Proposed SFC for 2021 (Group 1): St Loman’s, Tyrrellspass, The Downs, Athlone, Garrycastle, Coralstown/Kinnegad.
(Group 2): Rosemount, Killucan, Caulry, Shandonagh, Mullingar Shamrocks, Moate All Whites.
