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 NFL
changes proposed - 12/09/03
Allianz
National Football League A review of
the present NFL is currently being considered by Croke Park for the forthcoming
league campaign which is set to commence next February. It has been generally
felt that the present situation of the NFL’s Division 1A and 1B is not of equal
standing. The argument surrounds the strength of 1A as
compared to a relatively weaker 1B section. Under consideration to redress this
imbalance is the moving of teams from one division to the other. It is expected
that the current All-Ireland champions, Armagh, Connacht champions, Galway and
newly promoted Limerick will move to Division 1B with Mayo, Longford and Fermanagh
moving in the opposite direction to 1A. This rebalancing
of the two divisions would seem to be more equitable. It is hoped that this restructuring
will see more competitive semi-finals with the hope that newly promoted teams
to Division 1A will be better equipped to stay in the top flight. An announcement
on the review which is presently under consideration will be made in a couple
of weeks time. It is also expected that there will be changes
in Division 2 where Louth, Antrim and Wicklow move from 2A to 2B with Monaghan,
Carlow and Clare going to 2A. With a number of teams from Division 2A having shown
great form in the recent All Ireland series it is felt that the minnows of the
football league will still have a battle on their hands.
Teams of the calibre of Donegal, beaten All Ireland semi-finalists and quarter
finalists, Roscommon will be the strong contender seeking promotion against the
likes of Leitrim, London, Carlow, Clare and Monaghan. In
Division 2B the situation is similar to 2A where Kildare and Down, both impressive
in their championship quests will be seeking honours against the likes of Antrim,
Louth, Wicklow, Waterford and Tipperary. Managers of the
weaker counties, have for many seasons called for a four-division structure with
the strongest teams in Division 1 with each subsequent division graded by the
remaining talent with the Division 4 hosting the weaker counties. The
proposed new format is expected to be along the lines of:
Div. 1A: Tyrone,
Cork, Kerry, Dublin, Westmeath, Fermanagh, Mayo and Longford.
Div. 1B: Laois,
Cavan, Sligo, Meath, Wexford, Armagh, Galway, Limerick.
Div. 2A: Roscommon,
Donegal, Offaly, Leitrim, London, Monaghan, Carlow, Clare.
Div. 2B: Down,
Kildare, Derry, Louth, Antrim, Wicklow, Waterford, Tipperary.
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