20 Teams, 2 Divisions, 1 National League

[Elfman]

I probably fall somewhere between Burnsie and Roones26. Clubs absolutely have to look after themselves first and foremost but that's where you need a governing body that looks after every club. Similarly, you don't want a governing body just telling everyone what they to do without a mandate or members will break away to form their own body (Super League, Premier League even our own FAI started off as a breakaway group).

Burnsie is right that LSL and MSL clubs need a reason to join the pyramid outside of ambition but I'd also like to see a change to the make up of the respective FAs. For example, the Galway FA appears to have more power than the Connacht FA which seems to be tail wagging the dog in my head. Open to others thoughts on it as I don't really hear much chat about FAs since we naturally focus on teams and leagues.

[legendz]

Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Ireland and Football Association of Ireland:
15. Provide for the appropriate development of football pathways in a consistent and coherent manner nationwide, with a view to enhancing participation opportunities and ensuring greater inclusivity and access for children within Irish football.

Are the FAI in much of a position to dally on implementing the Pathways Plan?

Exemptions to implementing the calendar season are to be subject to biannual reviews to ‘assess progress and support the league’s eventual transition to alignment’.

Cooke wrote: “It strikes a crucial balance, providing necessary flexibility to our leagues while protecting the strategic integrity of the Football Pathways Plan as our ultimate goal remains unchanged.”

[Elfman]

Great point Legendz, I hadn't even thought of this. I viewed the exemption option, paired with the change of cup comps to the summer, as a message that lower leagues would be accommodated but not enabled.

It's definitely a strategy. I'd think the FAI would have to ensure the new leagues they introduce are as successful as the underage leagues in order for this to work though.

[yurt]

Looks like Lucan United are one of the teams I saw reported on reddit. https://loitalk.com/lucan-united-set-to-join-2026-fai-national-league/

The source doesn't seem like a great one but on the reddit thread the author mentioned he'd been talking to someone involved with the Lucan board. I guess we'll wait and see when/if the 16 clubs are announced in the coming weeks.

Although I don't know much about them having a good LSL club joining is a positive.

[nr637]

4 current youth league clubs and 3 Dublin clubs are likely to be among those joining the inaugural National League.

Any chance that you could add any possible names of these clubs please!

[pineapple stu]

Crikey, it feels like only last week we were all agreeing we didn't want pointless hypothetical lists...

[Buckett]

Well it's coming to the time of year when lists are made and are being checked twice!

[nigel-harps1954]

4 current youth league clubs and 3 Dublin clubs are likely to be among those joining the inaugural National League.

Source please and thanks.

[pineapple stu]

3 Dublin clubs
https://loitalk.com/lucan-united-set-to-join-2026-fai-national-league/

3 youth league clubs should be a given. Limerick FC noises seem indicative that they too will be in.
So rumours for the first part and your own suppositions for the second?

Great stuff - another baseless list

[legendz]

Vincent Borden to Kerry was in the rumour mill to Kerry during the week and then was a done deal. Strong rumours. Wild rumours. Anyone seeing 3 Dublin clubs and 4 youth leagues clubs as a wild rumour can turn a blind eye. It isn't a wishlist!
While I'm at it. Suggesting there won't be a fourth tier is actually speculation rather than the other way around. It is in the Football Pathways Plan. Suggesting otherwise is speculation unless advised otherwise.
There was a good run from 2015 of new youth leagues being formed. When the announcement for Tier 3 is made, hopefully there will be some insight shared into what to expect next in the process.

[nigel-harps1954]

3 Dublin clubs
https://loitalk.com/lucan-united-set-to-join-2026-fai-national-league/

3 youth league clubs should be a given. Limerick FC noises seem indicative that they too will be in.

So, wild speculation from a fairly questionable blog then.

No disrespect, but I've already asked for proper sourcing of any lists on here. And a blog that's littered with poor grammar and spelling, and no backed up sources of their own, just isn't that.

It's getting really frustrating having to repeat the same thing over and over again.

[Kiki Balboa]

So, wild speculation from a fairly questionable blog then.

No disrespect, but I've already asked for proper sourcing of any lists on here. And a blog that's littered with poor grammar and spelling, and no backed up sources of their own, just isn't that.

It's getting really frustrating having to repeat the same thing over and over again.

I don't think it is wild speculation regarding the Dublin clubs, as they supposedly informed the Leinster Senior League.

[pineapple stu]

Anything that "supposedly" happened is pretty much the definition of wild speculation to be honest.

[Kiki Balboa]

Like everything in Ireland, any potential expansion to LOI / development of non-current LOI clubs is going to be seriously hampered by facilities - the lack there of, and the lack of capital/will to provide them.

Unless the infrastructure is grandfathered in from another era - everything is seriously stuck in the country, and that is not just about football. At best, you might get a facility way outside of where people actually live and socialise, which generates its own problems regarding transport and keeping people engaged.

The price of land plus the complete lack of and distrust of urban planning is putting a heavy strain on grassroots football. The absence of pitches (and other social amenities) is crippling in some areas. I know for Drogheda, there are far more established soccer clubs in the countryside around the town, than actually inside it.

[Kiki Balboa]

Anything that "supposedly" happened is pretty much the definition of wild speculation to be honest.

Well its not 'wild speculation'.

There is a reason why those three clubs were named, and only them, was the LSL have been informed, and there was a meeting to discuss rules around player eligibility in LSL and LOI.

That is a lot of people getting involved, so leaks happen, people talk.

It is not just taken out of thin air.

It could be because other LSL clubs were interested, but these names were picked because they seem most likely (Lucan are spending big bucks, St. Francis applied recently to join the 1st, Home Farm also have a LOI history (although personally I didnt hear of a link up with DCU).

Everything is very behind the scenes with this process, so rumours and unconfirmed reports are everywhere - but this is as backed up as there is in comparison to everything else.

[Buckett]

https://www.mayonews.ie/news/soccer/1929506/were-building-something-special-says-mayo-fcs-anthony-oneill.html

I was expecting an announcement yesterday. Tomorrow's the last day of November. Maybe on Monday we'll all be put out of our misery!

[pineapple stu]

Well its not 'wild speculation'.

There is a reason why those three clubs were named, and only them, was the LSL have been informed, and there was a meeting to discuss rules around player eligibility in LSL and LOI.
Did that happen though? None of this is the "supposedly" that was in your original post.

[legendz]

So, wild speculation from a fairly questionable blog then.

No disrespect, but I've already asked for proper sourcing of any lists on here. And a blog that's littered with poor grammar and spelling, and no backed up sources of their own, just isn't that.

It's getting really frustrating having to repeat the same thing over and over again.

No disrespect but likely is likely. For anyone who has followed the rise and fall of the A Championship, the establishing of the youth leagues and the progression of a club to the First Division - the noises, pattern and bits of information around certain clubs seems consistent with clubs who are likely to join.

[pineapple stu]

No disrespect but likely is likely. For anyone who has followed the rise and fall of the A Championship, the establishing of the youth leagues and the progression of a club to the First Division - the noises, pattern and bits of information around certain clubs seems consistent with clubs who are likely to join.
No disrespect, but speculation is speculation. You've given nothing whatsoever to actually back up that view, or others on the thread.


I have been told from some involved in LSL that those chats have happe
So it's speculation then?

Gotcha.

[Kiki Balboa]

Did that happen though? None of this is the "supposedly" that was in your original post.

While you might think so highly of me that I am a journalist, unfortunately, I am not.

This is a Internet football forum - you should be prepared to handle information from informal sources and be happy to hear the general chatter that is happening around the place.

I am not apart of the board of the LSL so I dont have the minutes of a meeting on hand, rather I have heard from multiple lads that such things were discussed in relation to the new tier in LOI.

It could all be coming from a single erroneous source and be a case of Chinese whispers - so I am happy to qualify it.

But, its is a far more pointed discussion than the "wild speculation" that has been happening, and some people might find that kind of information interesting/enlightening.

[Kiki Balboa]

No disrespect, but speculation is speculation. You've given nothing whatsoever to actually back up that view, or others on the thread.


So it's speculation then?

Gotcha.

Ah lad - save yourself the hassle; Dont read forums and just wait for the official announcements then.

[legendz]

Ah lad - save yourself the hassle; Dont read forums and just wait for the official announcements then.
Agreed.

Honestly Stu and Nigel, calling on lads to cut out wild wishlists is fine. Shooting down informal sources and opinions from experiences is excessive.

[Martinho II]

Agreed.

Honestly Stu and Nigel, calling on lads to cut out wild wishlists is fine. Shooting down informal sources and opinions from experiences is excessive.

Agreed this is a football forum not a dicatorship! Think Donald Trump has ruined too many ppl here!

[Buckett]

Make Foot Great Again

[pineapple stu]

Ah lad - save yourself the hassle; Dont read forums and just wait for the official announcements then.

The point is it's continuous speculative nonsense from the same two posters at this stage and it's tiresome.

[legendz]

The point is it's continuous speculative nonsense from the same two posters at this stage and it's tiresome.


Lets list possible teams for the proposed North & South Divisions.

Some teams already mentioned are a Mayo FC team representing the Mayo football leagues and CK United covering the Carlow/Kilkenny areas, I think.

Just thought it might be interesting to see what fans around the country think what areas need representing outside the existing areas already covered!

To be fair to the original poster, he started this thread to list possible teams. Those looking for concrete lists are trolling his thread. Honestly, it is tiresome at this stage.

[redobit]

To be fair to the original poster, he started this thread to list possible teams. Those looking for concrete lists are trolling his thread. Honestly, it is tiresome at this stage.

Yeah sure what harm is it doing posting some teams.

I actually enjoy hearing about an obscure team, some that I never heard of before. Seeing what their teams are, their infrastructure, their future plans. Its nice to see what the grassroots are doing around the country.

[nigel-harps1954]

Yeah sure what harm is it doing posting some teams.

I actually enjoy hearing about an obscure team, some that I never heard of before. Seeing what their teams are, their infrastructure, their future plans. Its nice to see what the grassroots are doing around the country.

There's no problem with discussion. There's no issues with anyone discussing what they'd like to see. I like to hear actual news of a random application too. I also like to hear about junior or intermediate sides who have an interest, are developing stadia or facilities, and the general progression of grassroots sides. I'm involved in grassroots football myself, and take great pride in seeing development of club facilities at the bottom rung of football in the country.

The issue I'm having, is the same list of 'possible teams' being posted over and over again. It's not adding anything whatsoever to the discussion. Anyone looking to see any discussion, news, or otherwise on the topic, are repeatedly being met with the same list of teams and I'm tired of it.

If people want to see the same list over and over again, then they can open up the previous posts on it.

[Nesta99]

What I like about this thread is the enthusiasm from outside traditional LoI areas. But I agree the enthusiasm has morphed in to obsessive posting the same info. We can all beat the drum sometimes but I quit opening the thread except on an occasion and I havent missed a whole lot. I think thats te risk of flogging a thread, people start to ignore the topic. It will happen in time that all will be revealed. I doubt it will be foot.ie scoop. Now if it were called a 3rd tier rumours thread its a different thing again. There are a few nuggets of info in here like Ballymun Grassgate. In tribute to the repetative nature of things, COUNTY models should not be allowed, certainly any more than whats already slipped through the cracks. we are not GAA lite!!!

[EatYerGreens]

There's no problem with discussion. There's no issues with anyone discussing what they'd like to see. I like to hear actual news of a random application too. I also like to hear about junior or intermediate sides who have an interest, are developing stadia or facilities, and the general progression of grassroots sides. I'm involved in grassroots football myself, and take great pride in seeing development of club facilities at the bottom rung of football in the country.

The issue I'm having, is the same list of 'possible teams' being posted over and over again. It's not adding anything whatsoever to the discussion. Anyone looking to see any discussion, news, or otherwise on the topic, are repeatedly being met with the same list of teams and I'm tired of it.

If people want to see the same list over and over again, then they can open up the previous posts on it.

Agree. Plus it makes it hard to keep tabs on who *actually* is in the running for a space in the new third tier, with all the random speculation and sh!!t about clubs which have probably never even been in the mix, and in some cases haven't even sought membership.

We may as well have a separate thread for fantasy/dream lists, as this isn't what this one is supposed to be about.

[Burnsie]

Mark Scanlon (on last night's episode LOI Central) says that the third tier won't be part of the League of Ireland, but will be run instead by Fran Gavin and the Competitions department within the FAI. Added that there would be an announcement this month. Didn't add much else of note.

[culloty82]

That makes it sound increasingly like a development league, rather than one designed to ultimately prepare clubs for First Division status.

[Burnsie]

He confirmed there would soon be promotion to the First Division, subject to licensing, but it didn't sound like this would necessarily happen in the first full season in 2027. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it. (Obviously there'll be no promotion after the stub season next year)

[nigel-harps1954]

At the very least, you'd hope there'd be a playoff with the bottom First Division team.

[BigEars]

That makes it sound increasingly like a development league, rather than one designed to ultimately prepare clubs for First Division status.

I can see where you're coming from but not necessarily.
In England, the National League isn't part of the football league, and the bridge between those tiers made sense as that was the difference between professional football and semi-professional.
Although these days that's no longer the case.

The third tier will likely be designed as more of an amateur league than a semi-professional one. Now there likely will be some money changing hands, but not at the level of the First Division and for sustainability of clubs I imagine that's the way the FAI likes it.
So maybe it makes sense for a different body to look after it, even if it does link to the 1st division in terms of promotion/relegation.

[Nesta99]

Different scale obviously but the football league and EPL are also run by different entities so I wouldnt see it as disheatening for those looking for a way in. It will still facilitate that and imo it prudent to take it slowly and not jump in. Its likely in the future that a 2nd and 3rd tier will be directly part of the same setup, its more likely that the PD could end up run by a seperaate orgaisation if anything.

[Kiki Balboa]

How far off are current Junior and Intermediate teams from each other?

Is there any noticeable difference im standard, or is it just Geography that separates the tiers?

[Burnsie]

There's a limited sample set of results (essentially just the first round of the FAI Cup when most amateur clubs are in pre-season, and this year relatively few of the LSL's top division made it that far) but my guess is the top handful of junior teams would be at a similar level to the best intermediate teams, but beyond the very best junior teams in places like Limerick and the south east, the standard would drop off quite quickly.

Basically, the distinction doesn't make sense any more, if it ever did

[culloty82]

Mayo FC confirmed, according to the Connacht Telegraph:

https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2025/12/02/mayo-fc-set-to-be-confirmed-for-historic-entry-into-league-of-ireland/

[Buckett]

That's not really what it says though

[pineapple stu]

Different scale obviously but the football league and EPL are also run by different entities seperaate orgaisation

I think the Championship is its own organisation too, hence the daft "League One" for the old Division Three

[Burnsie]

No, the Championship is very much part of the EFL, which in turn is separate to the Premier League above and the National League below, but with pro/rel between them all (and beyond). Scanlon mentioned that the Irish third-tier would be conducted on a similar basis.

He also very much left the door open to a separation between the LOI and the FAI in the future, which seems like an inevitability at this point.

[pineapple stu]

Hmm - you're right. So League One is just their way of ignoring the Premier and calling the Championship their top flight, and the second tier is League One like the Championship used to be the First Division?

All very silly - and that's before you get to the National League!

I'm not sure what the advantage of the LoI third tier being so separate would be?

[The Bowler]

Mark Scanlon (on last night's episode LOI Central) says that the third tier won't be part of the League of Ireland, but will be run instead by Fran Gavin and the Competitions department within the FAI. Added that there would be an announcement this month. Didn't add much else of note.

So if its not part of the LOI, how does that work in terms of relegation and promotion ? Presume that pathway has to exist, or else what's the point

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

It didn’t sound like there would any immediately and then anyone wanting to come up whenever it was in place would need to be able to get a first division license.

[Burnsie]

So if its not part of the LOI, how does that work in terms of relegation and promotion ? Presume that pathway has to exist, or else what's the point

See above. It'll be just the same as being promoted to the Premier League or the Football League in England. You resign from one league and join the other.

[outspoken]

My fear from day one of the announcement would be it would turn into a dead duck league as in teams constantly being ineligible for promotion after winning it, from listening to Scanlon on LOI central, I'd be even more worried about that now

[Burnsie]

I say give it a chance to exist on its own terms.

It'll be a chance for more clubs to compete at a nationwide level, and more young players to develop in a higher-quality environment.

Separation from the LOI will give it its own identity and sponsorship opportunities as well.

The attendances, facilities and standard of football are probably going to be miles off the First Division, so I think people should stop viewing it through that prism.

[Buckett]

"Miles off the First Division" is a public park!

[legendz]

The FAI logo was beside tier 3 in Football Pathways Plan. Nothing new that the FAI will be running that.
There was no logo besides tiers 4 to 6. If further tiered expansion does progress, the provincial FAs might possibly be placed in charge of that at regional level. I thought there was some mention by the FAI previously that amateur level is run by the provincial FAs.
Scanlon acknowledged himself that the LSL is mainly Dublin centric and the MSL is Cork centric.
Would the FAI be going to the hassle of trying to align all leagues in the calendar year season, if the plan isn't further integration at some point?

Politically, the FAI might make the point that they've implemented the pathway plan by extending to a third tier. If other leagues aren't linking up, they might pass that political pressure down the line.
If implementing the pathways plan is a major block of the memorandum of understanding and it is leagues not aligned to the calendar year that are hindering progress, maybe grants to clubs in those leagues would be impacted.