DOWN ace Kevin McKernan believes the GAA must find a better way to freshen up the senior football Championship than casting half the counties on the “scrapheap”.
The experienced Burren clubman doesn’t feel the inaugural Tier Two Championship – still without a name – is the answer.
The notion that teams should be competing at their own level, McKernan argues, won’t improve overall standards.
“The Championship probably needs freshened up,” he said.
“The previous system [All-Ireland Qualifiers] was only giving you one extra game whereas if you had a round robin system you could have more games.
“Players love games coming thick and fast. That way you’re at least giving teams games that help develop them. I just think there are better options out there rather than throwing teams on the scrapheap and letting them fight at their own level. I just think, developmentally, you need to be playing teams above you for you to try and get to that level.”
Down’s All-Ireland Qualifier with Mayo in Newry last summer was one of the most memorable nights of the Championship at a heaving Pairc Esler.
But should the Mournemen fail to secure one of the top two berths in Division Three this spring, they will be banished to Tier Two – unless they reach an Ulster final which enables them to compete in the upper tier.
It’s unlikely a Tier Two match will conjure the fantastic atmosphere or attract the crowds of Down versus Mayo last year.
“I’m in season 12 or 13 with Down and there are some games that stand out in your mind. Unfortunately for Down we’ve only got to two Ulster finals in that period and a lot of our runs were through the back door.
“It’s those games that stick out. You drew a big team and there was always a big crowd in Newry. We had Mayo at home last year where there was a big-game atmosphere and what it does for a county having a team like that in your backyard is brilliant, and you’re competing.
“And I know out of the 32 counties, if 28 or 29 of them came to Pairc Esler we would be confident. You’re probably just talking about your Kerrys and Dublins where we’d need a wonder game and they'd need to have an off-day.
“Team five in Ireland against team 29 will compete with each other. Anybody that thinks the gap is unattainable they don’t see the realities of county football.”
Despite the high stakes of Division Two and Three this season where counties’ Championship status will be decided, McKernan says his Down team-mates don’t feel under any undue pressure.
“If you build up every League game to be the cornerstone of your season, I don’t think it’s the right approach. It hasn’t been mentioned but it is being mentioned in places that you can’t avoid.”
Down grabbed a draw in their League opener against Tipperary in Clonmel before coming from behind to take the points at home to Derry. Cork, however, proved too strong in their last outing.
Down have two more home ties left in their remaining set of fixtures with Longford next up at Pairc Esler on Saturday followed by Offaly (a), Leitrim (h) and Louth (a).
“The League so far has been a mixed bag. We’ve had good performances but just one or two areas are just letting us down,” McKernan said.
“It’s early in the season and the more time you get playing together the more you can work on playing patterns and different things.
“Anyone that’s going away to Tipperary and Cork are facing tough games, but we’re delighted with the points we’ve got even though we could have had another point or two on our tally. But we’re in a good place. We’ll be ready for what comes.
“Last year we missed out on scoring difference [to gain promotion]. But if you look too far ahead you’re not seeing what’s in front of you… Nobody is going to be firing on all cylinders so early in the year, and we’re no different.”
