Raymond Galligan and Mickey Quinn keen on moving provincial championships to February

Moving the provincial championships to February could solve a lot of the issues surrounding senior football scheduling, according to Mickey Quinn and Raymond Galligan.

As the All-Ireland series gears up for an exciting looking quarter-final stage, questions remain over changes to the football calendar as group stages in the Tailteann Cup and All-Ireland have led to a congested feel and claims of a top-heavy set-up.

While there are likely to be tweaks to the format over the next few years, both Quinn and Galligan are wary of any major overhauls and speaking on The Sunday Game, both believe that playing the provincial championship earlier in the year could solve a lot of issues.

Cavan star Galligan is uncertain of the value of preliminary All-Ireland quarter-finals and earlier pre-season competitions in the current set-up, but he warned against removing the provincial championships from the calendar.

"I think it's been well documented that the provincial championships are struggling somewhat in regards to the way that the All-Ireland series has panned out but I think it’s been very exciting," he said.

"I would question the preliminary quarter-finals and also the pre-season competitions. We are playing four competitions in a very condensed season. Is there a need for the McKenna Cups and O’Byrne Cups going forward?

"Personally I think we could end up watering down the All-Ireland championship if we were to eliminate the provincial championships.

"I think we could have the provincial championships as our first primary competition in February and making a festival of football on St Patrick’s weekend of the four provincial finals and then start our league.

"What has been shown this year is that the league is very important for the