Whatever the outcome of the semi-finals of the AIB AllLeague this weekend, the title will be changing hands after Shannon's four-year reign. What Shannon achieved in winning the title for four years in a row has been truly remarkable and an outstanding achievement that may never be equalled.
The consistency they revealed over four seasons is a tremendous tribute to the depth of character in the club, their resolution and dedication of purpose. It should be borne in mind, too, that, during their four-year run of success in the league, they also won the Munster Senior Cup twice and indeed three years ago performed the treble by winning a League title and the Munster Senior and Junior Cups.
The achievement of Buccaneers, who played in the third division two years ago, in reaching the top four is also outstanding. But I have to say that I disagree fundamentally with the IRFU that the league title should be decided on a knock-out basis. Last season Shannon had, so to speak, to win the title twice. After finishing five points clear of their nearest pursuers, Garryowen, they then had to win a semi-final against St Mary's College and the final against Garryowen. This season Garryowen finished on top and they must now go out and try and win the knock-out stage to be league champions.
The argument is that having play-offs for the clubs who finish in the top-four places in the league maintains interest right to the end of the league section of the competition and gives incentive for most clubs right to the end of the campaign. What happened this season would seem to support the validity of that, the top places were not decided until the final series of matches last weekend. But is it right that Garryowen, who finished on top of the league table, should now have to win a knock-out competition to be acclaimed league champions? It is not right, it is fundamentally wrong.
Exactly the same incentive for clubs to fight for top-four places, as outlined here before, could be provided in the AIB League by allowing the teams that finish in the top four to qualify for an All-Ireland cup. The cup incentive should also be there for the teams in the second, third and fourth divisions with the top two in the second division and the winners of the third and fourth all qualifying for the cup. The financial rewards could be exactly the same. There could, too, be a seeded draw with the four first division clubs kept apart at the quarter-final stage. If not an All-Ireland cup, then why not a premiership between the top four as a separate competition.
I am well aware that the play-offs create interest and enthusiasm, but that is no justification for asking a club to win a competition twice. Would not an All-Ireland cup create even more?
The absurdity of the position is that the clubs that finish on top of the second, third and fourth divisions all win their divisions. They do not have to enter a knock-out series to win them again. But that is the way the IRFU decreed the premier title must be won, it must be won twice as Shannon had to do last season before being declared champions even though the club finished five points in front of the second-placed team. That is absolutely ludicrous.
Since the inauguration of the league, we have had constant wrangling about the numerical strength of each division. Having 12 teams in the first division is not in the best interests of Irish rugby. Ongoing consultation with the clubs has done nothing for the league and the standard of play in it because some of the clubs are just not strong enough.
One does not have to have a long memory to recall the wrangling and indeed the unedifying activity that went on from clubs opposed to the league. It was not what was best for Irish rugby that concerned many clubs or indeed what was even good for Irish rugby. The process of consultation stood democracy on its head because of the activity that took place. It delayed the league for five years and Ireland lagged behind other nations without a national competition.
The IRFU stepped in and produced a formula for the league and told clubs who qualified it was up to them whether or not they wanted to participate. If the IRFU see hope that they can get a formula now that will please all clubs, they are living in cloud cuckoo land. That is why the union should draw up a format and tell the clubs this is what we believe to be in the best interests of the game in this country. The numerical composition of the first division has been altered three times since it inauguration.
Originally nine clubs were in it. Then it was 11, that was changed to 14 then it was altered again to 12 for this season. That is three too many.
I HAVE a very vivid memory of a meeting that took place in Dublin under the presidency of Bobby Deacy over two years ago when a new format was draw up for the league. The way the voting went that day after a meeting that lasted almost four hours was a telling demonstration of precisely why clubs will not agree on a formula that does not suit their own particular interests. You had nine first division clubs voting for what would have been a forward step and the rest, together with the entire second division, voting against it. Most of the clubs in the third division also voted against and the majority of those in the fourth voted for the proposed changes.
Little will change in that respect and that is why meetings of this sort, however well intended, are a waste of time. Selective interests will prevail. The IRFU showed leadership when they started the league at the outset of this decade despite the concerted opposition of 22 senior clubs. No sooner was it started then some of the most vociferous opponents of the league were at the forefront of a demand to get into it.
Now as we enter the new millennium, let the parent body draw up the format that is in the best interest of the game in this country, thereby cutting out the forlorn hope that they will get agreement through ongoing meetings and discussions with clubs. The IRFU has shown leadership in drawing up the Clubs of Ireland scheme. Had some of the proposals contained in that radical document been put to clubs, it would never come to fruition.
We have seen what has gone on in England and the activities of some of the clubs there to manipulate both their own leagues and the European Cup. Boycotts and threats were the order of the day. I am well aware of the importance of the clubs here and fully support the club, province, country structure as well as recognising the necessity of clubs having their best players available in the league. The league is a vital competition for Irish rugby, but it needs amending and the IRFU should make those amendments.
