Munster Senior Football Championship Draw Seeding Postponed Until Next Year
Munster GAA officials have announced a one-year delay in implementing a seeding system for the Munster Senior Football Championship draw. This decision follows widespread dissent regarding the proposed plan, which aimed to seed the draw based on previous National League rankings.
Background of the Seeding System
Initially, the plan was to give the two top-ranked teams from last year’s National League—Kerry and Cork—a bye to opposite sides of the semi-finals in the 2026 championship. However, this proposal faced significant opposition from other counties in the province, raising concerns about fairness in the competition.
Potential Consequences of the Seeding System
- Protests and potential boycotts were threatened by various teams.
- There was speculation that some teams may refuse to compete in the upcoming McGrath Cup.
Current Status of the Championship Draw
After additional discussions with county boards, Munster GAA opted to revert to the traditional draw method for next year. The championship draw will now proceed with the previous year’s finalists, Kerry and Clare, receiving byes into the semi-finals. This approach has been the norm for the last ten years.
Quarter-Final Teams
The teams that will participate in the quarter-finals include:
- Cork
- Tipperary
- Limerick
- Waterford
Teams’ Division Placement for Next Season
For the upcoming season, the placement of Munster teams in the National Football League is as follows:
| Team | Division |
|---|---|
| Kerry | Division One |
| Cork | Division Two |
| Clare | Division Three |
| Limerick | Division Three |
| Tipperary | Division Four |
| Waterford | Division Four |
This decision to postpone the seeding system aims to alleviate tensions in the Munster GAA community and ensure a competitive yet fair draw for all participating teams.
