20 Teams, 2 Divisions, 1 National League

[ForeForeToo]

It would be more feasible for areas like Clare to enter a team based on the Kerry FC model. I think Klub Kildare, CK United (Carlow/Kilkenny), Mayo FC & Meath FC are following a coordinated set-up with all the organised leagues in their counties to provide a joint representation. You could possibly have a selection of teams in the Third Tier like the following,

Klub Kildare based in Station Road Stadium, Newbridge,
CK United based in Buckley Park, Kilkenny,
Mayo FC, based in Celtic Park, Castlebar,
Meath FC based in the MDL Grounds, Trim.

The MDL Grounds are just outside of Navan.

[Nesta99]

The MDL Grounds are just outside of Navan.

Navan/Trim, same difference it seems. Maybe Meath FC should rotate their home ground, and not forget Kells, Athboy and Dunsaughlin.....

[nr637]

Villa FC in Waterford have received positive feedback in terms of their prospects of taking part in a third level of Irish football.

[yurt]

Villa FC in Waterford have received positive feedback in terms of their prospects of taking part in a third level of Irish football.

Source?

[EatYerGreens]

I'd be happy to see Mayo and Salthill get into it, just to double the amount of Connacht clubs. Is two divisions still the plan?

Agree on Mayo, but Salthill is a terrible place to watch football.

[EatYerGreens]

Is it just me or is 'CK United' a terrible name?

[Buckett]

Agree on Mayo, but Salthill is a terrible place to watch football.

Ya and they play on the astro. I've never played on their astro, it's quite new, but their grass pitches are absolutely superb. Top class training ground but no spectator facilities. The roads around there are barely wide enough for two cars, it's quite rural. I'm not sure renting out Terryland for games would be sustainable for them though.

[Nesta99]

Is it just me or is 'CK United' a terrible name?

Youd have to think that it is a trademarked name or brand so if they come to prominance they may have to change it.

[Elfman]

Is this not the first time they've been mentioned by anyone, anywhere in connection with the 3rd tier?
Nah, it probably comes from this local newspaper that said Buncrana Hearts had expressed an interest: https://donegalnews.com/buncrana-hearts-express-interest-to-join-loi-third-tier/

But if Nigel says they're not entering, I'd sooner believe him!

[EatYerGreens]

Nah, it probably comes from this local newspaper that said Buncrana Hearts had expressed an interest: https://donegalnews.com/buncrana-hearts-express-interest-to-join-loi-third-tier/

But if Nigel says they're not entering, I'd sooner believe him!

Disappointed to see there that Buncrana Hearts play in blue.

[2 Year Contract]

Nah, it probably comes from this local newspaper that said Buncrana Hearts had expressed an interest: https://donegalnews.com/buncrana-hearts-express-interest-to-join-loi-third-tier/

But if Nigel says they're not entering, I'd sooner believe him!

Jesus that article must’ve taken the author weeks to put together. Really insightful piece, great journalism ;)

[sbgawa]

Jesus that article must’ve taken the author weeks to put together. Really insightful piece, great journalism ;)


Sounds like he met one of the players in a pub who said "be great gas to play in LOI" and went with it from there

[nr637]

Source?

Villa FC

[D24Saint]

Jesus that article must’ve taken the author weeks to put together. Really insightful piece, great journalism ;)

Id say if they let a kid from the nearest secondary school with a interest in journalism they would do better. Whoever runs that paper should hang their head in shame.

[2 Year Contract]

https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2025/09/02/mayo-fc-remain-in-pole-position-for-league-of-ireland-third-tier-berth/


The third tier – entirely amateur – will be split on a regional basis for year one, running over a shortened season before moving to a full calendar in 2027 to align with the Premier and First Divisions. The FAI see it as a vital plank in building development pathways and strengthening the case for additional European competition slots.

August 2026 seems to be the start date for the 2026 shortened third tier.

The sentence about the third tier strengthening the ‘case’ for additional European competition slots is a load of nonsense tho seen as the amount of teams a country has in Europe is decided by its coefficient

[culloty82]

I thought it was twenty licences, rather than ten? Certainly, the latter wouldn't require any regional sections to begin with.

[pineapple stu]

The sentence about the third tier strengthening the ‘case’ for additional European competition slots is a load of nonsense tho seen as the amount of teams a country has in Europe is decided by its coefficient
That's a really bizarre sentence alright. Could give the FAI some slack and say it's more likely a journalistic error than their comment.


I thought it was twenty licences, rather than ten? Certainly, the latter wouldn't require any regional sections to begin with.
Are Premier League B teams in on this? They could make up the other ten spots.

[Roones26]

There's two reads to it

1) A regional paper has got its facts all jumbled up, far its fair to say unheard of
2) 10 licenses for the northern section

[EatYerGreens]

The sentence about the third tier strengthening the ‘case’ for additional European competition slots is a load of nonsense tho seen as the amount of teams a country has in Europe is decided by its coefficient

Surely it's all part of the FAI "creating the conditions" for clubs to succeed in Europe? :D

[nr637]

If August 2026 is the expected start date for the 2026 shortened third tier then what league format could that take?

If there are two third tier sections South & North of 10 teams with only one round of fixtures played over the weekends dates for August, September, October, based on current fixtures arrangements.

August has 5 W/E + 1 Bank Holiday
September 4 W/E
October has 4 W/E + 1 Bank Holiday

[nr637]

If August 2026 is the expected start date for the 2026 shortened third tier then what league format could that take?

If there are two third tier sections South & North of 10 teams with only two rounds of fixtures played over the weekends dates for August, September, October, based on current fixtures arrangements.

August has 5 W/E + 1 Bank Holiday
September 4 W/E
October has 4 W/E + 1 Bank Holiday

If its a shortened fixture season of 18 games over this period there will have to be a fair number of mid-week fixtures unless it will only be 1 round of fixtures.

[culloty82]

If it's until mid-December, that's roughly 18 weeks.

[Roones26]

Women's second tier launched today

https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/womens-development-league-be-introduced-2026/

[culloty82]

Makes sense not to introduce promotion/relegation straight away, as Kerry, for one, were working towards an U19 team next year, and presumably many of the other new clubs were thinking similarly. Presumably, like with the old Men's A Championship, eventually the top senior sides in each section will playoff for promotion?

[nr637]

Women's second tier launched today

https://www.leagueofireland.ie/news/womens-development-league-be-introduced-2026/

Great news, exciting news and justs show the huge strength and popularity in women's football around the country!

[nr637]

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17E3gqJ1Mt

The following list of teams has appeared on several social media LOI outlets and seem to suggest where the final 20 teams will be picked from.

[Burnsie]

Supposedly the Leinster Senior League is going to hold a vote about boycotting the FAI Intermediate Cup in protest of it switching to a calendar year schedule (February - October 2026).

Strange, because there's a guy on the FAI board (which unanimously approved the aligned calendar) who looks just like the LSL chairman.

[nr637]

Supposedly the Leinster Senior League is going to hold a vote about boycotting the FAI Intermediate Cup in protest of it switching to a calendar year schedule (February - October 2026).

Strange, because there's a guy on the FAI board (which unanimously approved the aligned calendar) who looks just like the LSL chairman.

The LSL should just get on board and accept that the change will eventually be the right way to progress the game here. I do believe that the way the LOI is progressing with the new TV contracts, Shels & Rovers in Europe, the third tier and Women's leagues progression, shows the extent & real popularity in the growth of the game here.

[nigel-harps1954]

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17E3gqJ1Mt

The following list of teams has appeared on several social media LOI outlets and seem to suggest where the final 20 teams will be picked from.

I don't know why people continue with these speculative lists. There's quite a few names on there that aren't in the running at all.

[Elfman]

Strange, because there's a guy on the FAI board (which unanimously approved the aligned calendar) who looks just like the LSL chairman.

Haha, brilliant! He votes it through instead of voicing any opposition, then blindsides the FAI with a boycott that puts the kibosh on the Intermediate Cup. You couldn't make this stuff up... but I suppose you could predict it.

Will a boycott matter much Burnsie? I'm sure the Munster Senior League teams will be happy to take the free hit at the cup.

[Elfman]

I don't know why people continue with these speculative lists. There's quite a few names on there that aren't in the running at all.
I think I've neglected to ask before Nigel but which Donegal team would you say in most likely to be in the running?

[nigel-harps1954]

I think I've neglected to ask before Nigel but which Donegal team would you say in most likely to be in the running?

From what I understand, both Letterkenny Rovers and Cockhill Celtic are in the running.

[ForeForeToo]

I can't read the list as I don't use Facebook but if Trim Celtic are on that list they can be ruled out.

[Burnsie]

I can't read the list as I don't use Facebook but if Trim Celtic are on that list they can be ruled out.

they are but don't worry, I predict it'll only be a few days before another completely pointless list gets posted on here

[BigEars]

Supposedly the Leinster Senior League is going to hold a vote about boycotting the FAI Intermediate Cup in protest of it switching to a calendar year schedule (February - October 2026).

Strange, because there's a guy on the FAI board (which unanimously approved the aligned calendar) who looks just like the LSL chairman.

I can understand rural Junior clubs being unhappy with a summer season, after all some teams would have a huge amount of players who play Gaa and mightn't be able to field if they were forced to play Junior football.

However Leinster Senior League would have a much lesser amount of crossover (although obviously still some) and it's top tier effectively makes up part of the third tier of Irish football at the moment. It's embarrassing for them to have a problem with it.

[sbgawa]

Anyone playing for the top LSL teams is committed to football its just politics amd BS

[EatYerGreens]

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17E3gqJ1Mt

The following list of teams has appeared on several social media LOI outlets and seem to suggest where the final 20 teams will be picked from.

4 contenders from Donegal is mad if true. Especially 2 from a town of 6,000 people. Letterkenny Rovers should be the lead choice out of those 4 options.

[nigel-harps1954]

4 clubs from Donegal is mad. Especially 2 from a town of 6,000 people. Letterkenny Rovers should be the lead choice out of those 4 options.

Because its been repeatedly said that Buncrana Hearts aren't in the running..

[EatYerGreens]

Because its been repeatedly said that Buncrana Hearts aren't in the running..

Fair enough.

3 contenders from Donegal is mad. Especially 1 from a town of 6,000 people. Letterkenny Rovers should be the lead choice out of those 3 options.

[nr637]

I don't know why people continue with these speculative lists. There's quite a few names on there that aren't in the running at all.

Can you list a few names on there that aren't in the running at all with sources please.

[pineapple stu]

In fairness, it's a bit much for you to ask for a list with sources when your own sources are just speculation themselves.

[nr637]

In fairness, it's a bit much for you to ask for a list with sources when your own sources are just speculation themselves.

Okay fine, so you do not have a list, thanks.

[pineapple stu]

I do not.

I'm not sure you do either though.

[nigel-harps1954]

Okay fine, so you do not have a list, thanks.

If you continue to provide repeated speculative lists with no sources, and ignore repeated claims otherwise with news sources that have been posted, it'll be pretty easy for me to start deleting those posts as its becoming tiresome reading the same thing over and over again.

[pineapple stu]

I didn't realise you were a mod actually! When did that happen?

[Buckett]

I, for one, welcome our new moderation overlord

[nigel-harps1954]

Just happened by magic. Bow to your new oppressive master.

[pineapple stu]

Crikey - if you have magic then I guess I'd better!

[nr637]

All these posts are all part of the discussion and have no intent or hidden agenda. People read and see so many things on social media, some of it is true and some is false, take from it what you want but don't punish the posts please! :confused:

[nigel-harps1954]

All these posts are all part of the discussion and have no intent or hidden agenda. People read and see so many things on social media, some of it is true and some is false, take from it what you want but don't punish the posts please! :confused:

I'm not about to punish any post that contributes to the discussion. I'd fairly quickly be removed from any moderation duties if I did that.

My point stands though, and anything in future regarding teams involved, I'd like to see sources posted with any of it. Balls.ie repeating the same article over and over isn't a source either.