Sean Kelly: It’s a knockout: Throwback Championship may be needed

NO WAY BACK: Tipperary’s John Leahy clears from Limerick’s Declan Nash in the 1996 Munster Hurling final, the last year before the ‘back door’ was introduced. Seán Kelly believes the 2020 Championship should be a straight knockout system. ‘The thrill of do-or-die games could bring some excitement and maybe even nostalgia to proceedings,’ he argues. Picture: INPHO

One could almost say that the 2020 GAA season was doomed from the outset. The anticipation was evident following the thrilling opening-day league draw between 2019 All-Ireland finalists Dublin and Kerry, a game that had all the skill level and intensity of a Championship match in mid-July.