Munster GAA CEO Kieran Leddy defends decision to change Munster SFC draw

Munster GAA CEO Kieran Leddy has defended the decision to switch the structure of the Munster SFC.

It's set to change from 2027 on a three-year basis. Last July, the province had taken the decision to introduce seeding on the basis of league performance, meaning Kerry and Cork would receive a bye to the semi-finals and be kept apart in the draw.

Then over three months later, the proposal was postponed until the 2027 campaign following pushback from counties in Munster. 

"There was controversy during the year [2025] when the Munster Council voted to introduce a seeding mechanism," Leddy said in his annual report ahead of Munster GAA convention on Friday night in Limerick.

"The proposal, which was passed with a one-year delay clause included, is in place for a three-year period from 2027 and followed extensive consultation with the six county boards and the GPA. 

“It is designed to try to give the Munster Senior Football Championship a lift that it badly needs, by providing a pathway for the two strongest teams to progress to the final.

“Our 2025 final had the poorest attendance of all four provincial finals. Our average attendance for the last four finals is 13,000. TV viewing figures are also struggling.

“We have not had an open draw in Munster for many years now. We have the strongest county in our province and one of the weakest, so it makes sense that we have a draw structure that reduces the chances of both those teams meeting in the championship.

“At this point in time, football is not as strong as it should be in Munster, but that will change and there are some early indications that football is on the rise again, such as Limerick’s great run in the Tailteann Cup."

While Leddy praised hugely the Football Review Committee’s work over the past year or so, he has thrown his support in for a goal to become four points from three points.

“One change I would welcome is four points for a goal as I feel goals always add a great level of excitement to a game. A goal allows a team chasing a lead to reel that lead in.

“A goal also allows dominant teams to press home their advantage. However, this is a small tweak. The main body of rules passed by the Special Congress has had a remarkable effect on the game."