Championship system is working, says Dublin manager Ger Cunningham

Dublin manager Ger Cunningham believes the present hurling championship structure is “probably the best system that’s there at the moment”.

Cunningham described Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final as a game “that had everything”, but with losers Tipperary coming in off a five-week break while Kilkenny advanced to the decider having played three games, the Dublin boss said players would prefer to be playing every fortnight.

“I think players would tell you, and you can even see it in the qualifiers in hurling and football, teams get momentum and they’d much prefer to be playing with the shorter window,” he said.

“The obvious one is probably Kilkenny who didn’t play between their last league game and their first championship game for 12 weeks. That’s a huge gap, huge. That’s probably more maybe the bugbear. Players want to play.

“Galway have had six games so far, Kilkenny three. I suppose Kilkenny happen to be used to the system and have come through the front door nearly all the time.”

2014 hurler of the year Richie Hogan last week admitted he “hates” the All-Ireland championship structure. Cunningham feels the game’s standard-bearers don’t have it too bad.

“Kilkenny next year again are going to be in the Leinster semi-final. So that means it’s three matches to get to the All-Ireland final. That’s a nice incentive as well.”

When pressed on his preferred championship structure, Cunningham replied: “I haven’t given [championship structures] any thought. The alternative is to go the Champions league-style route. I don’t think there’s been any mention of that in any shape or form really. It’s probably the best system that’s there at the moment. I can’t see them changing it.”

Tipperary’s failure to return to the decider means the Cork class of 2005 will continue to hold the mantle of the last Munster-winning team to achieve All-Ireland glory in the same summer.

“Five weeks is hard, but Kilkenny disprove that theory and when you look back at the Munster final, Tipperary’s form wasn’t overly impressive. The Limerick game was their best performance. We expect a level from Tipperary that they didn’t just reach yesterday.”

As for the men from the west?

“We are probably looking on with a bit of jealousy. We had Galway for the taking in the first match. Their confidence, as the season progressed, has grown. They have upped the work-rate from previous years. They’ve taken the pressure of Joe Canning.”

Cunningham said no Dublin player had indicated to him their intention not to return for the 2016 season.

“Fellas have to assess it themselves. They have given no indication. I have heard nothing.”