Offaly GAA clubs propose change to controversial football championship format

TWO Offaly GAA Clubs have submitted motions to the County Board seeking to change a controversial and much maligned new format for the local football championships.

There was consternation among supporters and what appears to be an overwhelming majority of people at grassroots level when clubs approved the new structures late last year. The new format for the Senior, Senior “B”, Intermediate and Junior Football Championships allows every team to qualify for the quarter-finals after playing an initial league system.

The championships all consist of groups of four with each team playing each other. However, the four teams still qualify for the quarter-finals irrespective of results, with the first placed playing fourth from the other group and second and third criss-crossing in the quarter-finals.

The new system, however, renders the league phase meaningless with no punishment for losing games – a team could win the championship after losing their three group games or be relegated after winning them.

Now Durow and Ferbane GAA clubs have submitted motions seeking to return to the old system – last year, the top team in each group qualified for the semi-finals with 2^nd and 3^rd playing in two quarter-finals and the bottom two meeting in a relegation play off. Clubs and officers hope that national fixtures will allow them the room to return to a ten team Senior Football Championship in 2025 – this would result in senior “B” going to one group of six, as in hurling, and eight club intermediate and junior championships.

The new system was proposed by the Competitions Control Committee after a request by clubs for extra games but was immediately greeted by a public outcry after being passed. Supporters are the big losers with the change as there will be nothing at stake in the group stages and while teams will try and win games, the safety net of still qualifying means that they can afford to be down players and not go flat out. It allows clubs to tailor their training programmes for quarter-finals in August and there will be very questionable value for money in the group stages.

Initial motions by Durrow and Ferbane were ruled out of order at a Management Committee meeting on Tuesday evening. They informed the clubs of this and gave them an opportunity to resubmit them. Both did this, sending them in on Wednesday but the Management Committee have not met yet to decide if they are in order,

Having been given the opportunity to get their motions into order, it would not look good if they don't comply with the rule book now and clubs should have an opportunity to vote on them again at the February County Board meeting next Tuesday evening.

While the Management Committee surprisingly supported the new format en-bloc at the original County Board meeting, the clubs had the power and they voted it in. They had been notified of the proposed change a few days before the last County Board meeting but most did not call club meetings to decide on their stance and there were only a handful of objections.

Ironically, Durrow were among the clubs who supported the change at the first meeting. The majority of their members, however, were furious at this and criticised the decision strongly at their club AGM, deciding to submit a motion for change. Another twist in the tail is that Offaly GAA chairman Michael Duignan is a Durrow club man, and he has supported the controversial change.

The Management Committee had backed the proposals from the Competitions Control Committee at a meeting and as a result, all of its members supported it at County Board level. It remains to be seen if members are allowed a free vote at this meeting and whether it will be by a show of hands or secret ballot. At least a couple of members of the Management Committee are not fans of the new format and this group of over a dozen will have a big influence on the outcome as a three fifths majority is required to overturn a previous decision – even then, Central Council still have to approve the change, though this should be granted if Offaly opt for it.

In fairness to the Management Committee, they have acted very honourably by giving clubs an opportunity to resumbit motions. It was clubs' responsibility to have their motions in order but the Management Committee are aware of the debate the structures have generated and are keen to have everyone vote on them with their eyes wide open. Clubs will still have the balance of power on Tuesday night, the numbers to achieve a three fifths majority irrespective of the votes of the Management Committee, even though it is a big ask. Some clubs will back the new format and it will be very interesting to see what way this unfolds. It is almost certain that a majority, and possibly a considerable one, will support reverting to the old system but the margin will determine all – there is a case to be made for Management Committee members abstaining, leaving it to clubs to decide and living with their decision and whatever repercussions it brings. However, they are all fully entitled to vote and that is a judgement call for the officers at the helm and each individual member.

There will be no need for any debate on the changes at Tuesday's meeting as each club will have had ample opportunity to decide what way they will vote and the voice of their members will be heard in that way.