Views On Back-Door System

"We may have come in the back door, but we're going out the front."

Offaly captain Hubert Rigney accepting the McCarthy Cup at Croke Park last Sunday.

Johnny Dooley (Offaly)

"It's definitely worked out well from a GAA point of view in terms of bigger games and greater exposure but personally I would prefer the old system and I think that's the general feeling in Offaly.

It's funny to have the team that's beaten come back and win the thing and even though it worked out well for us I can imagine how Kilkenny must feel after beating us in the Leinster final and then losing out on the bigger occasion. It may take away from the Munster and Leinster finals in the future although it's hard to know what changes could be made to reduce that. I think something along the lines of the open draw is closer to a championship competition and that's probably why the old system was more genuine."

Verdict: Worked out well this time but not a traditional championship.

Ger Loughnane (Clare manager)

"It's worked out really well and I'm totally in favour of keeping it the way it is. It's been hugely successful in improving matches, bringing realistic semi-finals and increasing hurling during the crucial summer months. Traditionalists might say it takes away from the championship but I believe it still ends with the best team and I can't see any real disadvantage as it stands. Any more tampering would make if farcical and degenerate the whole thing so it's better not to go beyond the current back-door system."

Verdict: Absolute support.

Conor Hayes (former Galway hurler)

"I would have mixed feelings in that the All-Ireland was a bit of an anti-climax as a replay of the Leinster final although it did bring more exposure and revenue, even if that was mostly for the GAA. I didn't see any real advantages this year except for Offaly and believe there should be more recycling at earlier rounds for more to benefit. The other point is that the Leinster and Munster finals may suffer as teams may actually throw some games knowing who they'll meet in the next stage. In fact, Clare probably would have won the All-Ireland if they lost the Munster final. Galway certainly didn't benefit this year but they are at a low ebb now anyway."

Verdict: An advantage to very few.

Sean McGuinness (Antrim manager)

"Helps the stronger teams get stronger and the weaker teams get weaker. Of course we saw plenty of thrilling games this summer, but only with the stronger counties while the rest were left on the sidelines. Whether that was deliberate or not I can't say but that's what happened and it favours the elite right now. I also think that a championship should be just that, so if you are knocked out you're gone. That's not taking anything away from Offaly who played some great hurling but a championship means one bite of the cherry and that's it. I can't come up with a solution although to be honest an open draw is closer to the mark."

Verdict: Unfair system to be done away with.

Nicky Brennan (former Kilkenny manager)

"I can't see any chance of going back to the old system at this stage. We've seen a higher-profile game with more quality and of course increased finance, with £2.5 million going back into hurling initiatives from championship money. There is the body of opinion that feels more teams should get the second chance and while I can sympathise with that, there are many practical problems to overcome."

Verdict: Worked well but needs adjustment.