This summer there seems to have been more talk than ever about football structures and the value of the provincial championships. Mayo's demolition job on Sligo and Dublin's steamrolling of all opposition before them in Leinster has led many to question their value. Whatever about matters east and west of the country, the excitement and euphoria that abounded in Clones after Monaghans win alone at the weekend underlines the provincial competitions do have a value. Clones was packed. The sun shone and it was a gripping match. The sense of tradition and sense of occasion shrouded the Monaghan town. Not only that the economic benefits of having such a GAA bandwagon rolling around rural Ireland can not be under estimated. Understanding how to marry the workings of the provincial championships into an easily digestible fixture list for the nations GAA players which also tackles the lob sided nature of some of the games will take some of the worlds great minds to resolve. The Munster GAA hurling championship and Ulster Senior football championship are the jewels in the GAA crown and based on this video below you should be able to understand why they will be round for a good while longer!
