If ever there was an urgent need for restructuring… Carlow’s January fixtures, folks

Well, this is pointless.

We're not even a week into January and, yes, we're whining about GAA fixtures. We're not even one game into the new season and already we're talking about restructuring the championship. But every campaign is going to pass with the same unnecessary lethargy in parts of the country unless something changes - unless they try to do anything different apart from introducing a bloody mark. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/799596477400121344 The sad reality of it with regards to a team like Carlow is that their fixtures progressively peter out and it's sadder that you can foresee it nine months before the county season even ends. Because, whatever happens to Carlow in the championship, they will never be as busy as they will be next week.

• Carlow have three games in seven days in the second week of January.
• Carlow have three games in February.
• Carlow have three games in March.
• Carlow have one game in April.
• Carlow have one game in May.

They face Wexford in the Leinster championship at the end of May but, just when the summer is starting, their action is ultimately coming to an end soon. However disrespectful that is, it's the blunt truth. The Rainbow county recorded an impressive victory over Wicklow last year in round one of the qualifiers that gave them another day out but they couldn't back it up against Cavan. Their championship has generally lasted two or three games per season and that means their year is completely lopsided thanks to the fixtures. It's not different in 2017. On Sunday, Carlow face Maynooth. On Wednesday, they play Westmeath. On Sunday, Louth. They'd be doing well to get more games than that all summer never mind in one week. And football boss Turlough O'Brien is concerned for a whole different reason.

"I think it is nonsense. Three matches in a week is counter-productive. It flies in the face of burnout," the manager said. "Okay, it is an opportunity to try out players but it is not fair on the players trying to break into the team. Even at that stage, the selectors are looking to see who is settling best."

It's not fair on the players, it's not fair on counties' preparations but, unfortunately for teams like Carlow, it's also not fair for their whole season's work. These games, the O'Byrne Cup and the national league are when they are guaranteed regular fixtures but they're squashed together and run off in razor sharp time so it has the feel of a steady and progressive decline. If the championship was changed though, everything would change. All it would require is groups - seeded groups.

• A World Cup format.
• 33 counties in eight groups of four (one group of five).
• Everyone gets a shot at the big time - they get three games at the big time.
• If they finish in the top two of their group, they go into the last 16 knockout phase of the A championship.
• If they finish in the bottom two of their group, they go into the last 16 knockout phase of the B championship.

These sample groups were compiled last year. The A championship knockout. The B championship knockout. Everyone gets at least four championship games. Everyone gets a shot at Sam Maguire. But they also still get a realistic shot of success if Sam is beyond them. And Carlow actually have a meaningful summer. Not a scenario where potentially 25 per cent of their entire season's fixtures are played in the space of eight days in January.