All-Ireland winning manager Dr Pat O’Neill says home and away league model way to go

Dublin’s 1995 All-Ireland winning manager Dr Pat O’Neill says it’s time the GAA considered incorporating a home and away league model into the All-Ireland senior football championship.

As Central Council today contemplate withdrawing the All-Ireland “B” championship proposal and with uncertainty about support for the Carlow and Roscommon motions, attention is already being turned to the alternatives to the current system. O’Neill shares the GPA’s concerns about the training-to-game ratio and argues there should be more matches in the championship without impacting on club fixtures.

“I think the championship format with the backdoor has got a bit tired now. I look at the European club rugby and soccer competitions and pools of four with home and away is a structure that has worked in those capacities.