While we still have the small matter of the four provincial finals to contend, conversation has already turned towards the All-Ireland series after the GAA conducted the draw for the first round earlier this week.

Some blockbuster ties were thrown up to kick off the Sam Maguire, including the clash of Kerry and Donegal. In saying that, not everyone is thrilled with the timing of the draw.

Kerry boss Jack O’Connor has questioned why it was held before teams played in their respective provincial finals, a point that has been echoed elsewhere.

READ ALSO: Daly Criticises Clare Response To Diarmaid Byrnes Hit On Shane O’Donnell

Recommended

READ ALSO: Shefflin Compares Offaly To Ballyhale Despite ‘Concern’ After Big Kilkenny Win

Darragh Ó Sé Feels GAA Should Make All-Ireland Draw Change

There is still some time to go before the All-Ireland series, with the first round games to be held on the weekends of May 23/24 and May 30/31. The GAA suggested that the draw was held so far in advance in order to allow county boards to make the necessary arrangements ahead of those fixtures.

However, some are of the opinion that having the draw at such an early stage takes much of the focus off the upcoming provincial deciders.

Writing in the Irish Times, Darragh Ó Sé suggested an alternative method of conducting the draw that the GAA should consider moving forward.

The explanation for the draws being done this early is that it gives the county boards more time to get themselves organised and get the logistics sorted.

But surely to God they could have done the draw in two parts – one next Monday for the four teams playing this weekend and one the following Monday after the Ulster and Leinster finals had been played.

That way, everybody has a fortnight to get ready for their next game and every province can have a decent build-up to their final.

Splitting the draw into two parts, with each one to be held after the respective provincial final weekends, does seem like an obvious solution moving forward.

With the new championship structure in place for the first time this season, it will be interesting to see what tweaks the GAA make to the format moving forward.

SEE ALSO: Heslin Worries Kerry Vs Donegal Could Expose Big Flaw In New All-Ireland Format