@EwanMacKenna The rule was Kerry would have to play 5th in Munster in a playoff. It was a hot topic in 2022 as Kerry made 3rd Joe Mac final in a row. Munster Council listened to a humble suggestion that the Joe Mac should determine the province with 6 teams. The following Congress passed it.
@Labharx@SmallerFishGAA First 4 league qualifiers out of the pot drawn against Connacht and Munster finalists. The last 4 qualifiers drawn against Ulster and Leinster finalists. How is that different to Munster drawing 2 teams on Kerry's side of the draw and 2 on the other side?
@wotbits36332@Slyone1069@donadonie1 UEFA Nations League offers playoffs but not direct qualification as the qualifying group stage provides that.
When the 8 provincial finalists qualify for the All Ireland, the national league before it should only offer a playoff opportunity e.g. Mayo v Down and Tyrone v Wexford.
@donadonie1@Slyone1069 On rewarding provincial winners...
At the very least unbeaten provincial winners should be kept apart in Round 2A. This way as long as provincial winners remain unbeaten, they would not clash until the semi finals at the earliest.
@Slyone1069@donadonie1 There could be a tricky away game in 2B or R3. A bit like winning the group stage in recent years, winning in Round 2A will give the week off before the quarter finals. Mayo and Dublin had a good battle a few years back for the group win. 2A will be the same.