Why do GAA keep punishing provincial champions?

THE provincial championships still matter. If you doubt me, have a quick perusal of the post match scenes in each one of the four finals, particularly in Ulster where Donegal were victorious for the first time in 19 years.

However, when the euphoria of victory disappears there are some practical issues to be dealt with before their quarter final clashes. Chief among these is getting the players back down to earth and zoning in on the next opposition. Unfortunately for the quartet of provincial football champions, the flawed nature of the Championship draw dictates they do not learn their opposition until a week prior to the quarter-final. Unfair and too late.

They should be rewarded with this vital information much earlier to incentivise the provincial championships. Sir Francis Bacon said “knowledge is power” and ironically the teams that deserve this knowledge most are denied it by the current system.