GAA to discuss third tier football format with counties

The GAA will consider the feedback of Division 3 and 4 counties before they determine whether to proceed further with any potential proposal to introduce a third tier to the All-Ireland Championships.

As part of its ongoing review of the current senior intercounty football championship structures, the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee has circulated a discussion document to counties.

The document contains a number of proposals that could potentially change the championship structure.

These proposals are currently residing with counties who will be asked to maintain feedback to the CCCC.

One of those proposals is the possible addition of a third tier to the All-Ireland football series.

In the document, the CCCC says it accepts that given the Tailteann Cup only came into place in 2022, it may seem premature to consider the introduction of a third tier to the All-Ireland Championships.

Nonetheless, it is a question that the body will be asking counties, especially those in Division 3 and 4, as part of the debate around this discussion document.

The document states that it would be straightforward to design a structure for a new third tier, with it being similar to the Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cup formats.

It is primarily a question of principle – if it is the view of Counties that in principle a 3rd Tier should be introduced, then it is relatively easy to design similar structures to the Sam or Tailteann competitions to accommodate this.

Certain advantages to the introduction of a third tier have been highlighted.

A potential new series would give an opportunity for lower ranked teams, currently participating in the Tailteann Cup to have a greater chance of championship success.

The possibility of playing a third-tier final as a curtain raiser to an All-Ireland semi-final has also been mooted.

The CCCC has left it open to counties to give their opinions on the matter and has included in their discussion document a proposal to allow counties see how a third tier system could be incorporated, and the effect it would have on the overall inter county calendar.

A third tier is already in operation at minor level and has been mentioned as an enticing prospect by some senior football managers.

One of those was Wicklow manager, Oisin McConville, who recently told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland: “You see the different tiers in hurling.

“Some people would argue that they’re not working that well, but I would say for all the teams that won the Nicky Rackard, the Lory Meagher, and Christy Ring that was a very special occasion that they had this year in Croke Park.

“I think there is a conversation to be had at the very least.

“I’m not sure what way that would structure or would it be the bottom eight teams because I think there’s a lot of teams still aspiring to play in the Sam Maguire, no matter how unrealistic that is.

“I think one more tier is definitely worth a conversation or certainly it’s something that we should be looking at.”