CONOR McManus has backed calls for a two-tiered All-Ireland championship but admits there is “no point in crying” about the predicament of Ulster counties.
The introduction of the Super Eight series at the All-Ireland quarter-final stage next season could create the potential for an Ulster county to play 10 games if they were to win Sam Maguire.
And with the draw for next year’s Ulster Championship pitting 2013 and 2015 winners Monaghan against back-to-back champions Tyrone, at least one of the big guns will be headed down that route.
Both counties reached the latter stages this year, though both had their hopes crushed by a rampant Dublin side that claimed its third successive title.
Outgoing GAA director-general Páraic Duffy said last month that a tiered championship might be the next step and McManus feels that would help level the playing field.
“When you see the lop-sidedness of some of the draws, there probably is merit to it. In fairness, Ulster wasn’t as competitive last year as it was in previous years but over the last 10 years it’s been a minefield.
“To get to that stage in terms of the Super 8s is very tough compared to other provinces – that’s the reality of it.
“To make it a level playing field for everybody, that’s probably what you’re looking at.”
Asked it two tiers of 16 teams made sense, the Monaghan forward replied: “It does. If you look at the National League, the league is our best competition really, from start to finish, whereas the championship only gets going the last month or six weeks.
“There is definitely something to be gained in splitting it and having a two-tier division but making the second tier something worthwhile winning, putting an emphasis on it.
“Making sure it gets the same coverage as the tier one championship, runs parallel with it.
“Some sort of a will and a want from teams to be involved and want to win it, progress on to the top one.
“It’s important if the GAA are looking at that, how they sell it, how they drive it is the big thing.”
One of Monaghan or Tyrone will have to go the long road when they are beaten at the Ulster quarter-final stage next year.
That will put them into round one of the qualifiers, and will mean whoever emerges would have to played five games by the time they would potentially reach the last eight.
And while the road has toughened for those in Munster and Connacht with the introduction of two extra games at the peak end of the season, their paths are still undoubtedly softer.
To reach the last eight, reigning Munster champions Kerry would have to win two games, one of which will be against either Clare or Limerick.
“It’s a tough run compared to other teams, no doubt it’s tougher for some than others,” said McManus.
“With the added thing of the Super 8s it makes it a tougher route, a longer route.
“That said, there is a feeling in the Super 8s, to be involved in that, that’s where teams want to be.
“The previous four or five years we’ve been in the quarter-finals, things haven’t gone our way between one thing and another.
“After those games you would have loved nothing more than to get another chance, another crack at it. The opportunity is there now that if you get to that stage.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how it plays out. Some people are saying it just favours the strong.
“In terms of panels, it is going to be testing on teams. The breaks between games, you don’t know how teams are going to react, with injuries and less recovery time.”
