Players like the rhythm of a game every two weeks. As Leinster and Ulster have 4 rounds, they should require 7 weekends. Connacht and Munster only require 3 rounds, they can play on weekends 2, 4 and 6.
While the groups of 4 with 2 advancing throws up the risk of some dead rubbers, if all group games are two weeks apart, the Round 1 winners could be paired in Round 2, with two weeks for the necessary logistics.
At the end of the group stage, first placed teams could be ranked 1 to 4, second placed teams 5 to 8, third placed teams 9 to 12 and fourth placed teams 13 to 16.
The Championship rankings after the All-Ireland final can be:
1. All-Ireland winners
2. All-Ireland runners-up
3. All-Ireland semi-finalist with higher group stage ranking.
4. All-Ireland semi-finalist with lower group stage ranking.
...
16. All-Ireland group fourth placed team with lowest group stage ranking.
17. Tailteann winner
18. Tailteann runner-up
19. Tailteann semi-finalist with higher group stage ranking.
20. Tailteann semi-finalist with lower group stage ranking.
...
32. Tailteann group fourth placed team with lowest group stage ranking.
The top 7 ranked counties and the Tailteann winner should qualify automatically for the next All-Ireland. 9 to 15 then would depend on the next year's provincial finalists.
The championship ranking could be used for balanced provincial draws. Provincial winners could be given the reward of an extra home game. Provincial runners-up could also be rewarded an extra home game, except if drawn in the same group as the Tailteann winner who would get the extra home game instead.
While a team with 2 wins versus a team with 0 wins might still be categorised as a dead rubber, the group stage ranking and it's influence on potential championship qualification would add something of a competitiveness to proceedings.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8056 - 27/06/2024 10:49:39    2555108

Maybe a couple of tweaks to the current round robin, and I think more incentive into winning the provincial championship to add the jeopardy. Also think penalties and score difference need to be taken out of equation. Introduce a gold and silver bonus point to provincial winner and losers to settle groups that end in a tie. Grouping the top 16 as is but introduce a knockout round for teams eliminated 'early' in the provincials.
So,
Provincial championships remain as is.
Knockout qualifier round before round robin for top 16 teams that fail to make provincial final. (extra time and replays)
Reduce the round robin to 4 groups of 3 - Provincial winner, runner up and qualifier round winner. Gold and silver points to settle any ties for 1st or 2nd spot.
Group winners and runners up enter the quarter finals.

This would mean qualifier team probably need to win both group games to get through, whereas provincial finalists get a second chance within the group should they lose a game.

Olaf (Galway) - Posts: 3 - 27/06/2024 22:19:35    2555281

The drawback of groups of 4 with 2 going through is dead rubbers in Round 3. An advantage is that all group games and knockout rounds can be scheduled for every second weekend. The majority of players, managers and even supporters like the rhythm of a game every second weekend.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8056 - 28/06/2024 12:55:33    2555373

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2730 - 28/06/2024 14:41:41    2555404