That is the limitation of IRC. You're not going to get integrated features like hot linking to game lobbies or replays with IRC. They are building all those features into Impulse. So far they've got a friends list, chat and the ability to see and join games. I'm sure we'll see that expanded as well.
I like the convenience of the IRC approach for easy access to the chat room. I will agree with you though that it's going to severely limit GPG/Stardocks ability to integrate game features directly into the chat. GPGnet did this. Whenever a friend/clan member hosted a game, you'd get a notice with a link to join the game lobby directly in the chat window. You could also link replays, mods and maps through it.
I have a feeling based on the current design direction that we are not going to see all that stuff built into the game, but rather built into Impulse. Frogboy of coarse can correct me if I'm wrong 