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Morgan: Proposal B gives Ulste...

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Morgan: Proposal B gives Ulster teams better chance to compete for Sam


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All Ireland-winning goalkeeper Niall Morgan believes Proposal B at this month's Special Congress will make Ulster teams more competitive in the All Ireland series. 

He was speaking after the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) gave their formal backing to the proposal, which would see the championship played over a league-style format.

Unlike Proposal A, the GPA-backed option doesn't see provincial championships linked to the All Ireland series. Proposal B would see provincial championships played as 'pre-season' competitions.

Earlier this week, Ulster GAA secretary Brian McAvoy told OTB AM that Proposal B would be to the detriment of Ulster football, and its finances.

But speaking to OTB Sports on Thursday, three-time Ulster champion Morgan says the players' preferred option would only help Ulster teams.

"In my opinion this gives Ulster teams a better opportunity to compete for the Sam Maguire," he said, "Because... this year, for example [Tyrone had to beat] Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan just to get out of Ulster - just to get to compete in an All Ireland series.

"In comparison, Kerry and Dublin basically walked their way through to their places in the semi-finals.

"So, it's not saying that it's going to be easier to get there, it's just going to be a fairer basis where all the teams have to compete at the same level to get to the Sam Maguire."

Morgan said the status quo - which the GPA do not see as an option - has been skewed against Ulster sides for years.

He believes Ulster players' trophy cabinets would be fuller if not for the current structures.

"This was my ninth year up playing for Tyrone, and I've won three Ulsters and one All Ireland," Morgan told OTB Sports, "In that time, Dublin have won - what - seven All Irelands.

"It's not saying 'Dublin aren't a great team', but would they have won all of them All Irelands coming out of Ulster? Where they had to play basically their best football to even get out of it.

"Dublin have to peak at a completely different time than us. This [Proposal B] puts it in a fairer way that everybody has to be ready for the start of their provincial championship.

"And then that leads them into the Championship league of seven games where they have to be ready to finish in the top-5 of Division 1."

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All-Ireland Football Championship Niall Morgan Special Congress Tyrone Ulster Gaa

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