YOU'VE CREATED A MUNSTER

Backlash continues at seeding decision down south

- BY KARL O'KANE

COLM COLLINS says the Munster football Championship seeding decision 'stinks to high heavens.'

Collins' comments on Clare FM came as details of the full funding mechanism attached to the seeding emerged.

The decision by Munster GAA to seed their football Championship draw based on the previous year's League placings has been widely criticised.

Munster GAA chiefs have denied the move is financially motivated and say that any increase in gate receipts will be split between Waterford, Tipperary, Clare and Limerick - and will have to be spent on football development.

However, not only is the move being viewed as unfair on the lesser lights of Munster football, but the sequence of events has also been widely slammed.

The seedings for the 2026 Munster Championship will be determined by final 2025 League placings, even though the 2026 League will have taken place in the meantime. This is to facilitate the GAA Championship draws, which take place in autumn time to allow counties and clubs to plan their schedule for the following year.

Kerry and Cork will be the seeded teams for 2026 and placed on opposite sides of the draw.

Sources have indicated that far more than the initial €25,000 apiece promised to Waterford, Tipperary, Limerick and Clare to develop football in their counties will potentially be available.

Gate receipts for the Munster football Championship this year were in the region of €500,000, compared to between €8-9m for its hurling equivalent.