REstructure of Offaly Championships

[Ahlethimoutwithit]

Just wondering if any of you who are constantly criticising the format of the Offaly championship system are aware that there has been a review and they are looking to restructure for 2013? CB had a meeting last week and a proposal was put to the clubs to bring back to their members. Have not heard what format this might take, any of ye have any update?

[Killer B]

I was unable to make the meeting myself but was forwarded on a booklet from the fixtures committee. Tried uploading the attachment but unable, message coming up - the extension pdf is not allowed. Any other way of uploading the attachment?

[lostinjuniora]

I heard about this alright, sounds good deal for young talented players that are/or will be stuck playing junior

Killer B

Convert the pdf to a word document. Might work, wouldnt be sure

http://www.pdftoword.com/

[High School Musical]

Hurry up and get it uploaded!!!
I'm intrigued by this.
Its been a slow work day so far for me and that doesnt look like changing any time soon, so I'd appreciate something to do before 5:30.

[timber]

What are the changes?

The fixtures really have to be giving a total rethink.

At the moment championships are finishing far too late. Junior finals should be played at latest the 1st weekend in September.

Also dual clubs are in an impossible situation in trying to compete and have any real chance with the current system of hurling one week, football the next or vice versa. There has to be a gap or the non dual clubs will always have a massive advantage.

Too many good months for championship action are being left idle.

[Lone Shark]

Too many good months for championship action are being left idle.

We all agree with this, but the problem is that there is no solution without a trade off somewhere. Players want a fixed schedule that they can plan around, so that they can take holidays and live their lives in some form of normality. How do you do that around a schedule where The Offaly footballers could be playing throughout the month of June, but could be idle either? Ditto the hurlers? Very few counties have to accommodate dual players at every level to the same extent that we do in Offaly. Now that I've got to know most of the counties through writing/betting, the closest match in terms of clubs that are senior in two codes is Waterford, and they are just as late if not later finishing everything. In our senior football championship, half the clubs (Rynaghs, Tullamore, Ferbane, Erin Rovers, Tubber, Ballycumber) have players playing SHC as well. Of the remainder, Edenderry, Gracefield and Clara all have players that play hurling too and while they aren't senior hurlers, we don't want to kill hurling in those fringe areas either by taking away some of their best players. That only leaves Rhode, Croghan and Walsh Island to my knowledge that don't have to worry about this.

Offaly is highly, highly unusual in that we have so many dual clubs and that within those clubs, so many players play both sports. Add to that the fact that we generally have quite small clubs, so the vast majority of adult teams field minor players as well - something which is genuinely uncommon in other counties. For example, very few Galway/Dublin/Kilkenny/Cork minors would be playing adult football or hurling for their clubs' first teams. I genuinely believe that some time soon, we're going to have to bite the bullet on this and say that for the greater good, it's just not practical to run a county like we do, trying to accommodate everyone. It'll be a sad day, but I can't see a way around it.

If you see a way that this can be done, by all means speak up - now is the time when it could be changed.

[Ahlethimoutwithit]

Amazing to see that despite this meeting taking place last Tuesday week, no one has any idea of the changes! Shows how involved any of us are when it comes down to it. I have asked for detail to be emailed from my club and am still waiting!

[onmearse]

Hi it's my first post and just an idea so don't be too harsh.

I know the meeting is over but I was thinking that if the league was divided into 2 sections 1a and 1b both consisting of 6 teams followed by semi finals and final. Then have the championship run the same with four teams going through and bottom two teams in each group play off for relagation. Havin 4 up for relagation keeps it competitive.

It would finish up the league quicker and 3 maybe 4 rounds of championship could be played. With competitive games under their belts it can only help Offaly senior football team.

We all want what's best for Offaly football and early championship might help give us an edge

[Killer B]

Sorry lads for taking so long to get back on ere. I've converted the document to word but still wont upload the attachment. PM email address if any1 wants a copy.

[Killer B]

Competition Structures Review Report 2012.


Review Members

Padraig Boland Chairman Offaly CCC

Tommy Byrne Secretary Offaly CCC

Breda Connors Sec. Coiste na nÓg CCC

Colm Cummins Fixtures Planner Offaly

Pat Cleary Chair Coaching & Games

Alan Mulhall Co. Games Manager

Eamon Flynn Referees Coordinator

FergalMcKeon Tullamore

Brendan Minnock Shamrocks

Ollie Scally Ballycommon

Dolores Slevin Kilcormac/Killoughey

Brian Gavin Clara

Gary Kelly Lusmagh

Kevin Murphy Birr



Introduction

• 7 Meetings of Committee

• Broad Consultation: – Strategic Review Group/– County Managers/– Coiste na nÓg/– CCC/– Coaching & Games/– Fixtures Planning/– Club Submissions/- Meeting with clubs - Chairman, Secretary of each club, 2 people involved in Underage and Coaching Coordinator invited



Football Championships

2 groups of 6 teams in Senior & Intermediate grades of Championship
In order to enable lower grade Championships proceed in advance of higher grade Championships i.e. Junior commence prior to Senior etc., clubs must name a minimum of 17 players from those who played at the higher championship grade in 2012 (subject to complying with bye-law No7) for each team - other than their lowest grade team- who may not participate in a championship at a lower grade than the one for which they have been named
E.g. Rhode name a minimum of 17 of those who played SFC in 2012, who may only play Senior in 2013, and do the same for Intermediate (players who have been regraded from Senior to be included). The remaining players in Rhode club can play at any grade including Junior

Junior A Championship and Junior B & C Competitions to be formulated when number of teams participating confirmed but it is likely that there will be 3 groups in Junior ‘A’
Junior A, B & C to be played on home and away as in previous years or, in the event of both venues being unplayable, at a neutral venue
In Senior and Intermediate grades, seed the previous years (2012) County Finalists, Semi-finalists, Quarter-Finalists across 2 groups
Seeding to be applied to Junior A & B when formats confirmed.
1 Round to be played in May, if appropriate.
2nd Round to be played within one month of round 1 (if at all possible)
3 Teams to qualify from each group for knockout stages.
First team in each group qualify for opposite semi-finals
2nd team in group 1 play 3rd team in group 2 in Quarter-final A.
2nd team in group 2 play 3rd team in group 1 in Quarter-final B.
Extra time to be played in Quarter Finals if necessary.
Open draw to determine which semi-finalist plays each winning quarter-finalist
Relegation - Bottom team in group 1 plays second from bottom team in group 2 in Relegation Game 1 and second from bottom team in group 2 play bottom team in group 1 in Relegation Game 2. Loser Relegation Game 1 plays Loser Relegation Game 2 with the loser of this game relegated (In the event of a draw extra time to be played in all relegation games).
OR

Option 2 Championship Structure


Phase 1

Previous year’s semi-finalists seeded and allocated groups by open draw
Remaining 8 teams allocated to groups by open draw
(Rd 1 – 1v2) – (Rd 2 – Winner Vs 3) – (Rd 3 Loser Vs 3)
Table complied and it determines the standings in Phase 2 (Diagrams below and above –Illustration purposes only)
Phase 2

Winner of A & B go to Group 1
Winner of B & D go to group 2
Runner up in B & D go to Group 1
Runner Up in A & C go to Group 2
Remaining teams to group 3 (Losers Group, so to speak, from which two teams will emerge to play third team in 1 or 2 for a quarter-final place and bottom team relegated).
Round Robin played to determine knockout stage participants
Knockout Stage

First team in Groups of 1 & 2 go straight to Semi Finals
Runner up in Groups 1 & 2 to Quarter Finals
3rd place in 1 & 2 play winner & runner up in 3 in Preliminary Rd. decided by Open Draw
4th place teams in 1 & 2 are finished
4th placed team in 3 is relegated
Regardless of structure agreed dual clubs may have to play Football and Hurling Championship Games in a three day period ( for example Football on Friday and Hurling on Sunday )
Football Leagues

Commence early Feb.
For 2012 Div. 1 group of will be Min. of 10 teams (probably 12).
Same formula for Div. 2
Div. 3 to be formulated when entries received – it is recommended that this be a 10 team Division
Div. 4 to be formulated when entries confirmed and a Division 5 League initiated if required.
Top 4 teams in each group qualify for Semi Finals.
County players may not be available for Semi finals.
Extra time to be played in League Semi Finals and finals.
Bottom team will be relegated in Div. 1 & Div. 2
If game is not played on or before the date fixed – team to lose points and get fine
County players to be available for at least 4 league games prior to 1st round of Club Championship and the Final, these games will be specified in Master Fixtures Plan. Games must be played on these dates or Club will forfeit right to Co. Players.
The CCC will endeavour to ensure that, where possible, club football league fixtures will not be played on the weekend of an Offaly inter-county football league fixture
List all players that played at Highest Championship grade in 2012. Select 15 players from that list and they may only assist league team at highest division. List to be emailed to Co. Board.
There may be only a gap of one full division between Club’s first and second team (with possible agreed exceptions).
Hurling Championships.

2 groups of 6 teams in Senior & Intermediate grades of Championship
In order to enable lower grade Championships proceed in advance of higher grade Championships i.e. Junior commence prior to Senior etc., clubs must name a minimum of 17 players from those who played at the higher championship grade in 2012 (subject to complying with bye-law No7) for each team - other than their lowest grade team- who may not participate in a championship at a lower grade than the one for which they have been named
E.g. Kilcormac/Killoughey name a minimum of 17 of those who played SHC in 2012, who may only play Senior in 2013, and do the same for Intermediate (players who have been regraded from Senior to be included). The remaining players in Kilcormac/Killoughey club can play at any grade including Junior

Junior A Championship and Junior B & C Competitions to be formulated when number of teams participating confirmed
Junior A, B & C to be played on home and away as in previous years or, in the event of both venues being unplayable, at a neutral venue.
In Senior and Intermediate grades, seed the previous years (2012) County Finalists, Semi-finalists, Quarter-Finalists across 2 groups
Seeding to be applied to Junior A & B when formats confirmed.
1 Round to be played in May, if appropriate.
2nd Round to be played within one month of round 1 (if at all possible)
3 Teams to qualify from each group for knockout stages.
First team in each group qualify for opposite semi-finals
2nd team in group 1 play 3rd team in group 2 in Quarter-final A.
2nd team in group 2 play 3rd team in group 1 in Quarter-final B.
Open draw to determine which semi-finalist plays each winning quarter-finalist
Extra time to be played in Quarter Finals if necessary.
Relegation - Bottom team in group 1 plays second from bottom team in group 2 in Relegation Game 1 and second from bottom team in group 2 play bottom team in group 1 in Relegation Game 2. Loser Relegation Game 1 plays Loser Relegation Game 2 with the loser of this game relegated (In the event of a draw extra time to be played in all relegation games).
Intermediate Hurling to follow similar format as above once the numbers are confirmed.
Junior A Hurling Championship & Junior B & C Competition to be formulated when entries confirmed.
Junior A & B games to be played home and away as in previous years.
Teams to be seeded as per Football format.
Dual Clubs may have to play Football and Hurling Championship Games in a three day period ( for example Football on Friday and Hurling on Sunday )
OR

Option 2 Championship Structure
Phase 1

Previous year’s semi-finalists seeded and allocated groups by open draw
Remaining 8 teams allocated to groups by open draw
(Rd 1 – 1v2) – (Rd 2 – Winner Vs 3) – (Rd 3 Loser Vs 3)
Table complied and it determines the standings in Phase 2 (Diagrams below and above –Illustration purposes only)
Phase 2

Winner of A & B go to Group 1
Winner of B & D go to group 2
Runner up in B & D go to Group 1
Runner Up in A & C go to Group 2
Remaining teams to group 3 (Losers Group, so to speak, from which two teams will emerge to play third team in 1 or 2 for a quarter-final place and bottom team relegated).
Round Robin played to determine knockout stage participants
Knockout Stage

First team in Groups of 1 & 2 go straight to Semi Finals
Runner up in Groups 1 & 2 to Quarter Finals
3rd place in 1 & 2 play winner & runner up in 3 in Preliminary Rd. decided by Open Draw
4th place teams in 1 & 2 are finished
4th placed team in 3 is relegated


Hurling Leagues

Div. 1, 2 and 3 Hurling Leagues to revert to 2 Groups in each Division
Div. 4 to be formulated when entries confirmed.
Top 4 teams in Divisions 1-3 qualify for Semi Finals. Division 4 depends on number of participating teams
County players may not be available for Semi finals.
Extra time to be played in league Semi Finals and finals.
Bottom team will be relegated in Div. 1 & Div. 2
If game is not played on or before the date fixed – team to lose points and get fine
County players to be available for at least 4 league games prior to 1st round of Club Championship and the Final, these games will be specified in Master Fixtures Plan. Games must be played on these dates or Club will forfeit right to Co. Players.
The CCC will endeavour to ensure that, where possible, club hurling league fixtures will not be played on the weekend of an Offaly inter-county hurling league fixture
List all players that played at Highest Championship grade in 2012. Select 15 players from that list and they may only assist league team at highest division. List to be emailed to Co. Board.
There may be only a gap of one full division between Club’s first and second team (with possible agreed exceptions).
U21 Championships

Football –Completely knock-out competition with no second chance.
Hurling - Under 21 Hurling to retain its current format and position on Fixtures Calendar
Extra time in all knockout games except Final.
Adult Championships

• The establishment of Regional/District Teams for the 2014 Senior Championships to be explored during 2013

Proposal to include 4 regional/district teams in senior championships – North Central, North Offaly, Mid Offaly, South West
Players drawn from Inter & Junior – and remain eligible to play at the appropriate grade with club of origin
16 team championships creating opportunities for creativity with Offaly Championships
Minor Championships

Two-tiered Combined Championship - ‘A’ Championship for Group Winner & Runner-up and Shield Competition for all remaining teams.
Q/F’s & S/F’s of Championship & Shield to be played on the same day
Shield Final to be played the same weekend of Championship Final
Minor Championship games to be played on Wednesday evenings
Group Formats to be confirmed when teams entered are known.
Knockout stages draw determines home advantage up to and including S/F’s


Minor Hurling & Football League

Minor League based on a minimum of 13 – a – side game but games can be 15-a-side by agreement of the clubs involved
Two Divisions created and teams graded accordingly
No limit on substitutions – interchange system to be used
Minor County Players may not be available for league matches
General Guidelines:

No break for Adult Championships during the Leaving Certificate.
Championship games may be played within 3 days after Offaly playing Championship or Qualifier games. i.e. If County game is on Sunday, Club game can be played on Wed.
Extra time if necessary in all Quarter Final games in Championships and Relegation games.
Adult Championship games may be played the day after Offaly Minors play in the Championship.
Clubs who do not return gate receipts within the agreed times should not get further games until they have made their up to date returns.
Championship rounds to be fixed as close to inter-county fixtures as possible
Fixtures Booklet to be Produced and Distributed - inclusive of one Master Fixture Plan with fixtures for all age-groups and grades in the county
Refereeing was raised as an issue on numerous occasions during the Review Committee’s discussions – from the scarcity to inconsistency etc. There needs to be a complete review of how Offaly referees are engaged with the county, are trained, monitored, supported, assessed.


Underage Games

Issues Identified

• National targets for minimum provision of games not being achieved at all grades

• Poorly structured season with large gaps and cancellations results in elongated season

• Current structures favours the stronger player, playing across 2 grades e.g. U14 & U16

• Need to structure the season with a regular programme of meaningful games

• Games opportunities for all players required – within own age group

• Grading/seeding required – to determine league divisions and C’hamp groupings

• Development Squad requirements to be stitched into Plan

• Understanding of the Schools Programme Required

• Go Games Programme a success but requires modification

• New culture of playing games on time required

“Comprehensive Fixtures Plan to include Underage fixtures”



Go Games

Under 8 & Under 10

• Clubs run internal Blitzes in April

• Series of Blitzes from May – September

• Finish Season with Festivals of Football & Hurling

Under 12

• Commence season with series of Blitzes (April)

• U12 Leagues May, June & July (max. 11-a-side but can be reduced by agreement)

• Competitive U13 Leagues commence in August (max. 13-a-side but can be reduced by agreement)

“Maximise Participation – Optimise Playing Standards ”







Planning the 3-Stage Framework

• All Under-age fixtures built into Master Fixtures Plan

Thursdays set a-side for Development Squads
Provincial & National Blitz weekends to be left clear
Exam Period & Féile Weekend left clear as appropriate
Shield & Championship to run concurrently
Final dates set in stone – one comp. ends before another commences
Club coaching days/workshops in Master Fixture Plan
• Buy-in Required from all Stakeholders

Cancelling or moving fixtures to suit a few no longer acceptable
‘Domino Effect’ creates wider problems
To succeed stricter implementation of Bye-laws from CCC
Deposit lodged at start of season
• Leagues Designed for Player Development

Players should be encouraged to play within their own age group
“Provide Consistency and Establish Clear Plan for Underage Season”



Cathaoirleach : ______________________ Data : ________________________

[Greenwhiteandgold]

''The establishment of Regional/District Teams for the 2014 Senior Championships to be explored during 2013
Proposal to include 4 regional/district teams in senior championships – North Central, North Offaly, Mid Offaly, South West
Players drawn from Inter & Junior – and remain eligible to play at the appropriate grade with club of origin
16 team championships creating opportunities for creativity with Offaly Champions''

I think this is a great idea, as it gives good hurlers playing with lower level clubs the opportunity to challenge themselves at the top level. It will help to create a stronger senior championship and help intermediate and junior hurlers to improve their skills. It may prove difficult to run, but I wouldn't worry too much about gaps between matches here, as I feel the overall results of this will out-weight the problems associated with fixtures. I feel this could really help our county team as the senior championship becomes more competitive and players from smaller clubs can get their chance to push their way onto county panels.

[Plain of the Herbs]

Just to clarify the new structure proposed (and this is not a criticism of the structure by me at this stage, I am just trying to establish the fact), someone might confirm or contradict me.

A round-robin stage of four groups of three clubs takes place. This will require each club play two matches and require three weekends.

This forms the ‘seedings’ for the main group stage which is something similar to the ‘two strong groups and a weak group’ that existed between 2001 and 2003. Right?

It will take 10 weekends to play from start to finish (3 weekends of the first stage, 3 weekends for the second stage, an eighth-final, a quarter-final, a semi-final and a Final. Right?

That's ten times two (hurling and football) which is 20 weeks, which is almost five months, that's without the closedown in June which is inevitable whether we like it or not.

[llkj]

It did say that football and hurling could be on the same weekend. It says a 3 day period (Friday-Sunday). In my opinion, a game on a Friday night and another on a Sunday, is a 2 day period, as players would be back out playing within 48. EG: A 7.30 game on a Friday and a 5pm game on a Sunday.

Dual players watch out.

Also, no break for the leaving cert - probably right... once clubs don't start putting pressure on their youngsters to "tog out, you'll be grand"...