GAA legend Peter Canavan has suggested a cut-throat solution to saving the “integrity” of the Allianz National League that “won’t go down well in some quarters.”
This weekend will see the last round of the league be rounded off, and unfortunately, some teams are in the awkward position of either playing dead rubber games for nothing, or actively trying to avoid being in the final because it will be too close to the championship.
Not only that, but because the top two teams are the sides that play in this final, it means that as long as their positions at number one and two are not under jeopardy, then they don’t really have anything to play and might be tempted to play weaker teams.
Last year Mayo were already guaranteed their place in the final, and then when they won it against Galway, they had to play Roscommon in the Connacht championship less than a week later – a game which they ended up losing.
In retrospect, it seemed as though winning the league was more of a detriment for them than anything, as they would have much preferred progressing in the provincial championship.
Speaking on the League of Sunday, Tyrone hero Canavan suggests scrapping the finals entirely.
“The nature of the league with the league finals is that teams that are already through, could play weakened teams,” Canavan said on Allianz League Sunday.
“And that could be to the detriment of some team. It could put some team down. I would say there would be a lot of support if they decided to look into the structure of the National League, to do away with the league finals. I know that mightn’t go down well in some quarters.
“The integrity of the competition is paramount and at the minute I don’t think you’re getting that.
“And if it was a straight race to the top, then Kerry would be going out trying to win their last game, Donegal and Armagh likewise in their last game in Division 2.”
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