Gaelic Games

FRC propose four eight-team provincial championships

Series of play-offs in Leinster and Ulster would see redistribution of sides

At the launch of the Second Football Review Committee Report at Croke Park were GAA director general Páraic Duffy (left), GAA president Liam O’Neill and Eugene McGee, chairman of the Football Review Committee. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
At the launch of the Second Football Review Committee Report at Croke Park were GAA director general Páraic Duffy (left), GAA president Liam O’Neill and Eugene McGee, chairman of the Football Review Committee. Photograph: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
Mon Dec 09 2013 - 16:14

The second report of the GAA’s Football Review Committee (FRC) has set out proposals that would involve four eight-team provincial championships in the All-Ireland championships.

According to the 18-page report, the move would help streamline scheduling for the championship and also enable club championship matches to take place throughout the summer months around the country.

Based on the National Football league standings, the six lowest-ranked Leinster teams would take part in three play-off matches, with the three losers moving to other provincial championships.

A draw would take place before the Leinster play-offs to decide which two of the three losing sides would join the Munster Championship to bring it up to eight teams, while the other losing team would join Connacht. The loser of an Ulster play-off between the eighth- and ninth- ranked side would also join Connacht to make it up to eight teams.

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London would continue to play in Connacht, although the proposals do not mention New York, who currently play a home preliminary round match in the Connacht Championship.

Based on last year’s league results, Wexford, Longford, Meath, Wicklow, Offaly and Carlow would be the six teams involved in Leinster play-offs, while Cavan and Antrim would meet in the Ulster play-off.

The losers of the 16 provincial quarter-finals would then enter the qualifier series.

Other proposals from the FRC include the completion of the All-Ireland club championship in the same calendar year and the reduction in age in the minor championship to under-17 from under-18 in a bid to stop a clash with state examinations for minor players.