THE GAA in Kerry is to consider a radical overhaul of the county senior football championship following the compilation of a major report by a highly-respected review committee which reveals that an overwhelming majority of members surveyed are in favour of a huge format change.
The report will be presented to county board delegates at a meeting in Killarney on Tuesday, October 28 next.
The key proposals are to restrict the championship to nine divisional and nine club sides with a play-off between the two lowest ranked divisional sides each year to decide which side enters first round proper.
The eight senior clubs that qualify to play in senior club championship would automatically qualify to play in the SFC and the committee is to recommend that the championship be played on a knockout basis.
The review body wants to set out five championship weekends prior to Munster final each year, a sixth championship weekend prior to August 1 and the remaining championship weekends when Kerry exit the All-Ireland series.
Club championships would be be played in April/May, up to the final stage where possible, prior to the commencement of the SFC.
A name change for the junior and novice championships to premier junior and junior with the winners of the premier representing Kerry in the Munster junior club championship is also down for discussion at the meeting in Killarney’s Fitzgerald Stadium.
A re-alignment of club championships would take place, based on the 2015 club championship results. Relegation from senior to intermediate would be by play-off. Relegation from intermediate to junior would also be by play-off.
The review committee is also suggesting that all other teams participate in the first round of the junior championship and winners of the junior championship in 2015 will be promoted to intermediate. The winners of the intermediate championship in 2015 will not be promoted to senior but if they go on to win the All-Ireland club title promoting them should be considered.
The review body wants all divisional board and group team AGMs to be held within six weeks of the county convention.
The committee, chaired by vastly experienced administrator Tony O’Keeffe of Austin Stacks, also featured Mike Buckley (Dr Crokes), Mike Piggott (Kilcummin), Michael Murphy (Knocknagoshel), Eamon Whelan (St Senans), Mike Sayers (Keel), Brian Hickey (Skellig Rangers) and Dara Ó Cinnéide (An Ghaeltacht).
The review committee sought proposals from all interested parties and all clubs were invited to make submissions. A questionnaire was sent to divisional and club sides in the SFC and the response rate was very good.
In addition, a survey was undertaken on Kerry GAA website to ascertain the views of the public on effectiveness and appeal, quality of games, standard and timing of the championship. It revealed the following:
- 72% rate the effectiveness and appeal of the championship as average or poor
- 75% rate the quality of games as average or poor
- 73% rate the standard of the championship as average or poor
- 85% believe the county board should consider changing the current format of the championship
The performance and contribution of divisional sides to the SFC was examined and the committee came down in favour of retaining a mix of club and divisional sides. A key consideration was that every player should have the opportunity to participate in the SFC.
