Pa Ranahan “2nd Tier Competition inevitable but structure must be right”

“Do you hear that Mr Anderson? That is the sound of inevitability” A memorable line uttered by Agent Smith in “The Matrix”. Aimed at Keanu Reeves, but he could have been talking about the implementation of a two tier intercounty football championship, with discussions picking up pace in the last week.

Where before there would have been a lot of resistance to this, it would appear a majority of players and counties have realised that, in the current climate of lopsided financial support, this is now worth examining. At least under the right circumstances.

As reported by Sean Moran in The Irish Times, the options being put forward to Division 3 and 4 counties is a choice between a competition that begins as soon as a county is defeated in their province – which county delegates in attendance were leaning towards – or one that allows counties to contest one or two rounds of the All Ireland Qualifiers initially after Provincial games – which received the support of player representatives in attendance.

If I was to look at it from a Limerick perspective, the latter option is hands down a better option when it comes to development and encouraging players to commit.

Munster Championship was a huge thing for me for the most part of my playing career. But again Agent Smith could have been talking about it in recent times. Since seeding was introduced, there has been an inevitability for both players and supporters.

In the last 6 years it has been Groundhog Day, without the comical interlude of Bill Murray. Limerick have played Clare 4 times in the last 5 years; Clare have played Kerry in semis 4 times in the same period and will probably meet at the same stage again this year; and 5 of the last 6 finals have seen Kerry beat Cork. It needs a revamp but this is difficult when you only have 6 counties competing. Combining Munster with Connacht would provide that variety for me, albeit something that would be stonewalled I’m sure.

The games that brought the most joy and variety and which were the most novel were the Qualifier games. Meath in 2008 a night to remember; the magical month of July in 2011 leading to a Quarter Final appearance; beating Longford in Pearse Park in 2012. Even the narrow losses to Kildare (x 2), Meath and the eventual All Ireland champions Cork after extra time in 2010 were memorable.

As a player you took so much from those games, both in that season and into the following year. And it’s crucial for future players and teams to be allowed this opportunity. For supporters and underage players with aspirations they need this aswell.

When Limerick were playing Cavan, Offaly, Mayo, Derry & Armagh all over the country from 2002-2004, I remember as a supporter loving those trips and as a young footballer it was something that I wanted to work towards and be involved in. The way it should be.

The 2nd tier competition certainly has it’s benefits if structured and promoted in the right way. The extra games are vital. There needs to be tangible rewards for the winners. And there has to be guaranteed coverage of same.

But as dual Derry star Chrissy McKaigue mentioned in an interview in The Belfast Telegraph last week, the tiered championships in hurling have done nothing to help weaker hurling counties bridge the gap. Having played hurling at Christy Ring level, he noted there was 200 people at last year’s All Ireland semi final. The only way he felt there would be a change in the disparity would be the same level of resources being applied to each county ala Aussie Rules.

So whether it’s the Matrix or the real world that we are operating in, there needs to be an understanding of the reasons for the staleness and inevitability of games in recent years. I honestly believe that the style of football that county and club teams have adopted in the last 18 months is much more enjoyable to be part of and to watch.

Teams want to be positive about the way the game is played. But it’s just as important they are all given a platform on which to perform. They need competitive games that mean something for that to happen. Revamped provincial system, qualifier games and then 2nd tier competition as a fall back is the way to go.