'Tier 2’ will be sudden death for weak counties

219 days before it begins, the 2020 Munster senior football championship draw, along with Connacht’s, was to take place on RTÉ Radio this morning. The championship draw has long been underwhelming, but even more so since the provincial hurling competitions moved from knock-out to round-robin and were therefore removed.

In terms of marketing, the seven month-plus gap between the draws and action does not do the GAA many favours, but as an amateur organisation, as much notice as possible is required, they will argue. But coupled with the staleness and predictability of the provincial football championships, this week’s events are merely a delay in the inevitable.