McCartan offers alternative format to boost Championship

DOWN boss James McCartan has proposed a new structure for the football championship which, while safeguarding the four provincial competitions, would provide the radical overhaul that many believe is so necessary.

The issue, long a thorny one, has generated significant interest in recent weeks with Derry manager Damien Cassidy calling for a revolutionary open draw and senior GAA officials responding with a robust defence of the status quo.

GAA president Christy Cooney and Director General Páraic Duffy have admitted there are imbalances in the hurling and football championships but have consistently challenged their critics to come up with an acceptable alternative.