New football tier planned

The main talking point in the recommendations of the GAA's Fixtures Task Force regarding football competitions is that there isn't one. Having considered the various submissions, the task force formed the view that there was widespread acceptance that the existing structures should largely remain.

Under the chairmanship of Paraic Duffy, the group set out last August to review the effectiveness of existing football structures in terms of meeting the needs of the game at various levels. Initial recommendations were announced six weeks ago, and then taken around the provinces for feedback. Yesterday's final report revealed only minor shake-ups.

While the senior football championship should remain as it is, there is a recommendation for an additional competition, a sort of secondary football championship, to be made up of designated weaker counties which fail to progress beyond round two of the current qualifier series. It would be played on a knockout basis.

Duffy said: "We're happy now to take these proposals to Congress next April and to Central Council, and that they will come into effect for the championship of 2005."

The secondary football competition was, however, greeted with some concern by county officers at the provincial meetings. Yet the Task Force believe it does have considerable merit. As a result, before it goes to Congress for approval, it has called on the Weaker Counties Task Force to present a detailed proposal on structures and dates to address further some of the concerns.

According to the group's report, the new competition provides every county with a realistic opportunity for success at national level, to perform at a major occasion, and guarantees designated weaker counties at least one extra competitive game during the summer.

Other recommendations have been made with regard to the current qualifier series: that home venues be used in round three and four where possible and that all beaten provincial finalists have a 13-day gap before their fourth-round qualifier; and that live televised games on Saturday evenings be abandoned to reduce the disruption to club fixtures.

Outside of the senior championship, the Task Force has called for the All-Ireland minor football quarter-finals to be discontinued, thus giving further provision for club games.

It is also recommended that the under-21 football championship not start before the second weekend in March, and the All-Ireland final be played the second Saturday in May - thus reducing the overlap with other competitions, including the Sigerson Cup.