Division 1B, which has been lately serving as a kind of preparatory chamber for All-Ireland champions, could soon be eliminated.
Speaking to the media at the launch of an ESRI report into the demands of inter-county football and hurling, GAA President John Horan confirmed that Divisions 1A and 1B are soon likely to be merged and then split as equal groups, rather than existing as a hierarchy as is currently the case.
The reason behind the move it to make it slightly less competitive than current 1A sides currently have it, given it is now required to blood players in order too best prepare a panel for the rigours of the round-robin system.
Elsewhere, Horan said that we are edging toward the Age of the Tiered Football Championship. Earlier in the year, outgoing Director-General Pauric Duffy put on-record his belief that the football championships should be split in two, and the new regime seem intent on keeping the scenario as a live possibility.
Among the incentives for such a championship is the staging of the final as the curtain raiser to the senior football final, replacing the minor final.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, Horan said that he feels the GPA will support the idea.
I get a feeling talking to Seamus Hickey and talking to other people, there is a feeling there to go for it. County boards seem to be in favour of it. It's to get the players to buy into it. It works in ladies football. It works in camogie and it works in hurling. I just can't see why there is such a major resistance to it in football, but it's there. It's about how you present it to people and get people to buy into it and then hopefully you will deliver it.
See Also: 7 Things We Learned From The GAA's Crucial Report With The ESRI
