Limerick legend calls for radical Tailteann Cup overhaul as Treaty bid for title
As it stands, whoever wins the second tier competition is guaranteed a spot in the top tier the following year, with 2024 champions Down taking their place in the All-Ireland group stages despite being relegated to Division Three this year.
But Galvin feels that much of the momentum of going all the way is lost come the following year, as Limerick face Kildare in tomorrow's final at Croke Park.
He said: 'I love the idea that there's a motivation for the Tailteann Cup winners to get into the All-Ireland series. My only issue with it is that it's not in the All-Ireland series this year.
'Limerick is after this serious run, and Kildare is after this serious run. And then you go and you play the final. And then the following year you're into the All-Ireland series.
'But like, Limerick is a weak [football] county. A couple of injuries, things like that. Limerick could have a brutal run in the League next year. And all of a sudden they're being thrown in against the Dublins and Donegals and Kerrys and stuff like that and it could be a disaster.
'I know it's time management. I think if you were really wanting to inspire a player to play in the Tailteann Cup and give the senior Championship a crack, they'd want to be on the same season. That's just my opinion.
'I don't know how you do it with time and schedules and stuff like that, or where they'd fall in. But I would try and get them to fall in there somewhere else. That's the way I do it.'
Fixture-makers would point to a lack of room in the schedule but the three-week gap between the Tailteann semi-finals and final is an obvious juncture where significant time could be made up to allow for what Galvin is calling for.
'There's no need for that [gap]. You probably need to put it back a week or two and whether the Tailteann Cup finalists get into a preliminary quarter-final or a quarter-final or something like that, that's where you need to be joining.
'But I think that that would really make it massive. That would really make the goal. Next year's a really long time to be thinking about it.'
Galvin, who was the standout player on a Limerick team that came agonisingly close to a Munster title under the late Liam Kearns and Mickey Ned O'Sullivan from 2003-10 in particular, said he was unsure about the Tailteann Cup concept initially and rubbished suggestions that there a third tier should be introduced.
'There's a massive difference between the top and the bottom teams. I think GAA created that by, when there was Division 1A, Division 1B, Division 2A, Division 2B and when they separated it all up, they all put all the top teams together.
'I think that is one of the reasons the gaps have opened up and opened up and opened up. That's why they're so wide now.
'I'd just be afraid if you make a third tier that you're just spreading it out again and the gap is going to get wider again and there's teams that are at the bottom that will never be able to get up the ladder.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
5 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Irish contenders eye more iconic Open moments at Portrush
The Open Championship is golf's greatest event. Not a statement of fact, but I reckon I'm on pretty solid ground. So many memories, so many great players, so many iconic moments. From the mystical exploits of six-time winner Harry Vardon, to 1977's 'Duel in the Sun' featuring Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus, and Jean van de Velde's infamous final-hole collapse in '99, just a flavour of its unrivalled history. First played in 1860, at Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland, the 153rd Open Championship has returned to Royal Portrush. Six years ago the staging of the tournament benefited the Northern Ireland economy to the tune of £110m. This year that figure could be doubled. Open Championship week has been under way since Sunday. Four days of practice and four days of Championship play will attract an estimated 270,000 spectators to the course. Transport infrastructure has improved significantly in the region, along with increased accommodation. More than 1,800 volunteers will aim to enhance the visitor experience. The Tuesday of 2019 Open Championship week was my first experience of covering a golf major. I was struck immediately by the sheer magnitude of the event. I had covered several Irish Open tournaments, but the Open is on a completely different level. On arrival at the colossal media centre I was left in no doubt as to the tournament's stature. This year a notable number of Golfing YouTubers and TikTokers are also in situ. Everything about the Open Championship is on a grand scale. Shane Lowry Shane Lowry returns to the Antrim coast refreshed, ranked inside the world's top 20, and a genuine contender. A giant mural of a smiling Lowry holding the Claret Jug was unveiled in Portrush a year out from this week's tournament. He skipped last week's Scottish Open, opting instead to mix family time in Ireland with plenty of links golf. There was also a trip to Croke Park for Kerry's All Ireland Football Semi-Final win over Tyrone. This year Lowry has played some of the best golf of his career, but converting that form into a tournament win has thus far proved elusive. There is a sense that his time is coming. His last 72-hole individual tournament win was back in 2019 at Portrush. He did win the DP World Tour flagship event in 2022, after that year's BMW PGA Championship was reduced to 54 holes following the death of Queen Elizabeth. Playing alongside Rory McIlroy, he also enjoyed a notable win on the PGA Tour last year at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans two-man team event. A year ago, Lowry held the halfway lead at Royal Troon. The vagaries of links golf came into play on a brutally cold, wet and windy Saturday afternoon. A third-round 77 dropped Lowry significantly down the leaderboard. The following day he finished in a share of sixth place on four-under-par, five shots behind the winner Xander Schauffele. If history were to repeat itself, Lowry would emulate Padraig Harrington's feat of winning two Open titles, and join the list of modern era greats that includes Seve Ballesteros, Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods, all of whom won the tournament twice at the same course. Rory McIlroy Having effectively completed golf at Augusta, where he won the Masters to complete a grand slam of major victories, what of Rory McIlroy? Clearly his game is in good shape, arriving in Portrush on the back of a joint second place finish at the Scottish Open . In the giddy aftermath of that Masters triumph, there were some that lost all sense of reason with regard to the summer that potentially lay ahead. The suggestion that McIlroy could win the PGA Championship, before adding the US Open, to set up a calendar grand slam attempt at Portrush was not in the realms of reality. Four previous wins at Quail Hollow, this year's PGA Championship venue, suggested a strong challenge, however Mr McIlroy never contended and finished tied 47th. Oakmont beat up the world's greatest players, McIlroy saved his best round for last, and concluded his US Open with a top-20 finish. McIlroy is one of only six players in the game's history to win all four majors. In his own words, a reset was required after climbing his Everest. He's accustomed to being the centre of attention. Given the circumstances the focus this week will of course be intense, the warmest of receptions is guaranteed on his return to Northern Ireland. That was also the case in 2019, when McIlroy's Open Challenge at Royal Portrush was almost over before it began. He walked off the first green four-over-par, after a quadruple-bogey eight, and eventually signed for an opening round of 79, which concluded with a triple-bogey seven. He turned things around dramatically on day two. A second round of six-under par 65 left an emotionally spent McIlroy just one shot outside the cut mark. Padraig Harrington The 2007 and 2008 Open champion Harrington has been given the honour of hitting the opening tee shot at this year's Championship. His competitive nature is still strong, he comes into the tournament as US Senior Open champion. Harrington played all four rounds at last week's Scottish Open. Darren Clarke first played Portrush at the age of 13, and owns a home nearby. The ninth hole has been renamed in honour, while the fourth hole, 'Fred Daly's', honours the 1947 Open winner. Clark and Tom McKibbin can look forward to plenty of home support. Every year, the victor of this prestigious tournament is declared with the words: "The winner of the Gold Medal, and the Champion Golfer of the Year is…" Plenty will be dreaming of hearing their name tagged on to that sentence come Sunday evening.
RTÉ News
5 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Rebel County gears up for All-Ireland hurling final
An All-Ireland final appearance is a coveted thing for a county to aspire to. It's not just about the match itself, which this year sees Cork and Tipperary go head-to-head in the hurling final. It's not even the glory and the celebrations that the winning county enjoys. But rather, it is how the mood of the whole county is lifted in the run-up to All-Ireland Sunday: it's like an injection of serotonin - it makes everybody feel better. The feeling is infectious and inescapable. The whole county benefits. Puffin Ward at Cork University Hospital is where sick children from across Munster come to get better. The children range in age from 18 months to 16 years. Every year, around 2,500 children pass through the ward and the 50 nurses, doctors and support staff are well used to making them feel as comfortable as possible. This week, the children in Puffin Ward were just as excited about the build-up to Sunday's All-Ireland hurling final as everybody else in Cork. Four-year old Ella Leonard from Kilcorney in north Cork might not have understood the significance of Sunday's final, but when the children in Puffin Ward gathered to make a social media video to show their support for the Cork hurlers, Ella wanted a piece of the action too. "What are they playing on Sunday?" she enquired, before showing wisdom beyond her years and replying to her own question: "I know, a Cork match." Ella was not gong to be denied her cut of the fun either. "I've already got a jersey - now I just have to get my hurling ball and my hurling stick," she said. There are some wise hurling analysts in the Puffin Ward too. "I think Cork want it more this year," declared 11-year old Shane Holland from Innishannon. "Last year they weren't getting as much goals. I think they're getting more this year. Alan Connolly and Brian Hayes are going for goals now." Puffin ward in @CUH_Cork with their now annual video in support of the @OfficialCorkGAA hurlers!! Hope the lads will have the Liam Mc in their company when they visit this year 🙏🤞 #updarebels #allirelandfinal @PaschalSheehy @echolivecork — Ciara O Flynn (@cnof83) July 11, 2025 Twelve-year old Anna Cronin from Macroom was also confident about Cork's chances on Sunday. "I think Cork are going to win this year, because they are way hungrier for it," Anna predicted. "They've been going for goals way more often so, on Sunday, we're going to win the Liam MacCarthy." Rua Pierce, 10, from Bishopstown in Cork city had a special message for the Cork hurlers. "I love you," said Rua, blowing kisses into the camera lens. Of course, there is a more serious side to the All-Ireland final too - Cork feel they have to get the job done this year, after they lost to Clare in last year's final. In a workshop behind his home in Kanturk, former dual star Aidan Walsh has been making hurleys for Cork's ace marksman Patrick Horgan for almost 15 years. Aidan revealed how "Hoggie" plans ahead - he makes his hurleys over a year before those hurleys see the light of day. Next year's hurleys spend 12 months in Patrick Horgan's garage, before they're put to use on the training pitch and finally in a game. "Hoggie's" hurleys are special. They have already helped him deliver three goals and 50 points in this year's championship, and a massive 32 goals and 679 points over his long championship career. Patrick Horgan's hurleys are not made to a specific weight. Instead, they are re-designed, updated and improved every time a new batch is made. "Every year we kind of make adjustments to the hurley," explains Walsh, who played both hurling and football himself for Cork. "Basically, it's nearly a round handle. It's very heavy: it's one of the heaviest outfield hurleys I would make for anyone, really. It's nearly goalkeeper weight - that just shows the strength of his wrists. "The one thing we do when we are making a hurley (for 'Hoggie') is we make sure the heel is as thick as possible. That's the reason why he's able to get such a great strike off the ball - his 'bas' is fierce thick. "At the top of the hurley, where they pick the ball, the side he picks the ball with is a deeper chamfer than the other side so, when he's picking the ball, his hurley is actually closer to the ground," Walsh said. "When he's picking the ball, he has a better opportunity to flick it, which definitely helps him. If you'd notice him, he's able to pick the ball so fast. That's definitely a good contributor to it." Patrick Horgan is generally regarded as one of the best hurlers ever not to have won an All-Ireland medal. On Sunday, Aidan Walsh is backing "Hoggie" to change that and come away from Croke Park with a Celtic Cross. "It would be well deserved," says Walsh. Back in Cork city, the conveyor belt of underage hurlers and camogie players is running on constant at St Finbarr's GAA Club in Togher. The club will celebrate its 150th anniversary next year and is one of the most decorated hurling and football clubs in the country. As the underage teams are put through their training sessions, everyone has an opinion on Sunday's final. "I think Cork are going to win on Sunday because they get lot's of goals, and because of Brian Hayes, Ethan Twomey and Damien Cahalane," says ten-year old Amy Bohane. "I think Cork will win on Sunday because they have the best forward line and they've great fans and all their players have played brilliant all year," says 13-year old Danny Fitzpatrick. Former hurler of the year and goalkeeper Ger Cunningham is also a proud St Finbarr's member. He's excited that Cork are getting the chance on Sunday to make up for last year's All-Ireland final defeat. "It's going to be a fantastic occasion," he says. "I know this project that Pat (Ryan) has been on for the last three years, they're probably a bit more down the line than Tipp, who have come this year with a lot of young fellas coming through. "I think we're entitled to look forward to it, and hope for the best and let's hope for a great occasion and a great game on Sunday." Hurling is reaching into every corner of county Cork this week. In the small north Cork village of Freemount, local songwriter Paddy Collins has written a song for the Cork team called 'Pat Ryan's Boys'. The song was performed in the local community centre by Kelly Feehan and her friends, and when the call went out this week for a crowd to come along, it was like the whole village of 250 people turned up. So, who's going to win on Sunday? Kelly Feehan looked startled at the question. The crowd behind her began to roar: "Cork, Cork, Cork." Thousands of people are expected to travel from Cork to Croke Park on Sunday. For those who can't make it - or can't get a ticket - Cork GAA and Cork City Council are creating a Rebel Fanzone for 'home' supporters at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The All-Ireland final will be shown on giant-size TV screens, and there will be entertainment before and after the game. This is being organised as a family-friendly, alcohol-free event and tickets - limited to a maximum of five per person - are free. Tickets are available online from today, via As capacity at the event will be limited, organisers are apealing to people to only apply for the number of tickets they will use. "Once again, demand for tickets for the All-Ireland final is unprecedented, and unfortunately not everyone will be able to attend Croke Park next Sunday," Cork GAA Chairman Pat Horgan said. "With support of Cork City Council, we are delighted to bring back the Rebels' Fanzone, which will allow supporters of all ages an opportunity to come together and support an incredible team from right across the county."
Irish Examiner
5 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Selector Declan Laffan explains how Tipperary turned the tide
Let's rewind to May of last year. Red flares fired from the middle of Thurles. Music blaring and brazen Cork throwing a house party in Tipperary's good sitting room. Declan Laffan is asked to reflect on the afternoon. An 18-point annihilation at home. The end of Tipp's season. Sombering. Deflating. Embarrassing. A collection of words thrown out by the selector to try and convey a most trying time for Tipperary hurling, the gamekeepers on the sideline, and the winless men inside the whitewash. The club scene eventually arrived and shifted the conversation elsewhere. The inter-county conversation never stopped for Liam Cahill, Laffan, or anyone else in the under-pressure backroom. The 2024 local championship threw in on the weekend, Armagh outlasted Galway to football glory. A few days earlier, the Tipp management met in the county board offices at Lár na Páirce. Individually, they had been in constant contact in the two months since their fifth-place finish in Munster. Collectively, though, this was their first coming together. Laffan remembers Liam having a very clear plan in his head and how he was going gung-ho after it. His 'strong character' wouldn't allow otherwise. They all bought in and signed up there and then. Whatever backroom personnel were required to add or subtract in the plan's execution, they did without question. Holding the wheel of the team bus for the two previous years, the onus was theirs to rediscover and recharge Tipp's identity. To once again make Tipp relevant in summer's hurling conversation. 'The responsibility to the jersey just wasn't good enough last year and that was really the driving factor of everybody together. It just wasn't acceptable, end of story, and we had to try and correct it,' Laffan begins. 'Let's be honest, that (2024) Cork defeat was particularly sombering. It really opened your eyes to what we did or didn't have. We were probably deflated in what we had done ourselves from top to bottom, and everybody wanted to buy in to correcting it. There were no ifs, buts, or maybes, if you were asked to do something, you did it. 'From Liam at the top to the last person in the backroom, everybody bought in and if it meant you had to stay two hours extra some night, you did it, and there was nothing about it. You just got on with it. 'We're reaping the rewards now. Being in an All-Ireland final, it's a wonderful place to be, but at the end of the day we've nothing won yet.' Everyone bought into the Liam Cahill masterplan and now Tipp are one game away from lifting the Liam McCarthy Cup. File picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile The improvements from last year's winless run to this year's run to the decider are easily identified. A cheerier collection of words are thrown out on this occasion by the selector. Tipp are 'fitter', 'stronger', 'mentally tougher'. Above all that, though, they are resilient. Limerick made several second-half attempts to put a smidgen of daylight between themselves and the Premier on the opening Sunday of Munster fare. Tipp delivered an answer each time. The then-championship debutant Darragh McCarthy held his nerve to deliver an injury-time share of the spoils. On 63 minutes in Ennis three weeks later, a first-half lead of 12 was now completely erased. More answers, more resilience. At the end of the third quarter against Waterford, they were hit for six points on the spin to see their six-point advantage removed. They won by nine. A deficit of players and a deficit on the scoreboard late on in their All-Ireland semi-final was another roadblock forcibly removed. 'People underestimate the value of that draw the first day against Limerick,' Laffan, a native of Loughmore-Castleiney, continued. 'That was a huge morale booster, and also it was a huge morale booster for the supporters because when you have support behind you it's worth an awful lot. It's great to see the supporters back in huge, huge numbers. Like, last Sunday week in Croke Park, it was 35,000-40,000 thousand Tipp people, which is phenomenal.' One game we haven't referenced under the heading of resilience Laffan is very keen to have included. 'I still go back to that Cork game in the championship when we lost by 15 points, the day Darragh was sent off. At the end of the day, we played 75 or 76 minutes with 14 men. I thought we were really manful that day and I don't think the players got the credit they deserved that day. 'A team like Cork were really in their flow that day. It's so difficult to try and stem the tide with 15, never mind 14, and I just thought we were so manful in the second half and really stood up. We started to see the character that this team had, and look, fortunately, it's carried through.' The local championship is delayed. The conversation remains fixed on inter-county matters. The conversation is positive, albeit a tinge of pessimism is to be heard here and there. The good sitting room has been reclaimed and repainted. It could well be asked to stage a Monday homecoming. 'I do be out and about quite a bit with work, so I do meet quite a lot of people, and the humour county-wide is really special at the minute. There's no point in saying any different.'
