Return of interpros being looked at as option for All-Ireland final days

Formed in the wake of calls for the Clár an Lae of the biggest dates in the GAA’s calendar to be revamped, the body are in the initial stages of their deliberations.

A committee charged with improving the All-Ireland final day experience are considering the re-introduction of curtain-raisers.

Formed in the wake of calls for the Clár an Lae of the biggest dates in the GAA’s calendar to be revamped, the body are in the initial stages of their deliberations.

However, it is believed they are in favour of games being played prior to the main events as a means of making the occasion more attractive.

The last minor finals were played before the senior deciders in 2019 and their staging on All-Ireland final day had been in question since the grade dropped to U17 level the previous season.

Seeing as counties voted to retain the current year link between the Liam MacCarthy and Joe McDonagh Cup, it is impossible that the second tier championship final could be scheduled to take place on the same bill as the All-Ireland SHC decider.

In football, the conclusion of the Tailteann Cup could technically be organised for the same day as that of the Sam Maguire Cup. This past July, the Tailteann Cup final was on the undercard of the Saturday All-Ireland SFC semi-final between Dublin and Monaghan but national fixture-makers would be loathe to delay the club championships of any more counties than is necessary and it would cause excessive ticket pressure for the participating counties.

In football, the conclusion of the Tailteann Cup could technically be organised for the same day as that of the Sam Maguire Cup.

Ahead of their 100-year anniversary in 2027, the revival of the interprovincial competition (Railway Cups) has been mooted and its finals are said to be an option to fill the pre All-Ireland final slots. With several club championships not commencing until August, inter-county players not involved in the business end of the championships could be available to line out.

It’s seven years since the last Railway Cups were played in December when Munster beat Leinster in hurling in Thurles and Ulster defeated Connacht in the football final in Carrick-on-Shannon.

A staple event in Croke Park from the 1920s to 1970s during which the finals were held on St Patrick’s Day slot for several years, the competitions did not take place three time (2010, ’11 and ’15) in the seven seasons prior to its cessation. Drawing small attendances and no space to be found in the calendar, they were discontinued.

That followed a valiant attempt by Clare man Martin Donnelly to revive the competition. Sponsoring it over an 11-year period, he helped to bring the finals to the likes of Abu Dhabi, Boston (twice) and Rome.