GAA to talk to counties over third tier football competition

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