FAI National League Thread

[Roones26]

I think that's supposed to be 22 teams - which dropped to 20 around 2010 when a number of teams folded (Monaghan, Fungal, Dublin City, Kildare County)

Fairly sure that the First Division only ever had 12 teams when the Premier had 10

Yes - it should be 22 I thought there was one year they were both at 12 but I’m wrong

[legendz]

The fact that there are fifteen cubs interested and able to join the LOI system/pyramid is a minor miracle in my opinion. Killarney Celtic are a district league club. They are joining what is supposed to be the top tier of amateur football. It could be 5-10 years before any NL club obtains a First Division licence.
The National League will only be positive if it is the start and not the end of the FPP. That will depend on clubs having ambition to play at a higher level.

[EatYerGreens]

Killarney Celtic are a district league club. They are joining what is supposed to be the top tier of amateur football. It could be 5-10 years before any NL club obtains a First Division licence.
The National League will only be positive if it is the start and not the end of the FPP. That will depend on clubs having ambition to play at a higher level.

In other words - let's all just wait and see :ball:

[yurt]

Is there anyone who would know anything about Ringmahon Rangers and if it's something they are considering at all? I'd have thought that after netting one of the biggest transfer fees in Irish football history that they might look to give their players a national platform to aspire to.

[Martinho II]

Is there anyone who would know anything about Ringmahon Rangers and if it's something they are considering at all? I'd have thought that after netting one of the biggest transfer fees in Irish football history that they might look to give their players a national platform to aspire to.

Was that Caoimhin Kellehers last club before Liverpool yurt?

[yurt]

Yeah it is. They got about 3mil from his transfer to Brentford.

[cobhlad]

Is there anyone who would know anything about Ringmahon Rangers and if it's something they are considering at all? I'd have thought that after netting one of the biggest transfer fees in Irish football history that they might look to give their players a national platform to aspire to.

I really don’t think they are too pushed to join. Most of their better players in the last few seasons are playing for Ringmahon because they actively don’t want the travel and commitment of LOI. Joining the third tier loses this attraction and could easily lose a lot those players who have made them one of the best intermediate teams around.

They also have lost two Intermediate Cup finals recently and definitely favour another tilt at winning it, over giving a new third tier with little prestige a go.

Also their own academy is solid but losing ground to larger schoolboy clubs like Carrigaline and Midleton given no new housing is being built in Mahon/Blackrock and it’s an ageing part of the city. So that talent pipeline isn’t guaranteed to sustain a third tier club.

[nr637]

CK United will play their home games in the new National League at Buckley Park, when the arranged season kicks off.
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=CK%20United

Structure and facilities
Buckley Park has two spectator stands; the Tennypark House Stand, which held 600 people, and the City End, a 1,000 seater stand
The grounds have a TV gantry, floodlights and a car park




https://www.kilkennypeople.ie/resizer/800/-1/true/2025_05_11/MBL_003814751_31692357-1746974390480_1746974423.jpg--looking_back__the_days_of_emfa__kilkenny_city_and_ buckley_park.jpg?1746974423846

[Buckett]

Great to see Buckley Park back again

[pineapple stu]

What social media outlets are naming those clubs?

[Roones26]

What social media outlets are naming those clubs?

Basic rule of this thread at this stage sources have to be named

[nigel-harps1954]

Some social media outlets, naming Trim Celtic, St Pat's CY, Limerick Utd, Peake Villa, Fairview Rangers, Monaghan United,Tullamore Town, Malahide United, Ballinasloe Town & Avenue United / Newmarket Celtic (Clare) the clubs that were declined entries after their initial applications, but seemingly are to be considered in further FAI reviews after finalising certain criteria to join by the January extension.
What 5 from this list would you like to see added to the current 15, especially if they were in your locality.

Please.

Source.

[nr637]

A come on people, you know how it is, all the usual social media outlets, you know how it works, various threads, forums, rumours.......



.

[culloty82]

Still, a link we could actually click on ourselves would help ...

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

“Some people are saying”

[2 Year Contract]

A come on people, you know how it is, all the usual social media outlets, you know how it works, various threads, forums, rumours.......



.

I’d add Achill Islanders FC to your list. It’s all the talk over on Bebo and MySpace

[nigel-harps1954]

A come on people, you know how it is, all the usual social media outlets, you know how it works, various threads, forums, rumours.......



.

A rule was set of no speculative lists, so either sources or I delete.

A social media post speculating isn't sources either, by the way.

[nr637]

Still, a link we could actually click on ourselves would help ...

Life now is all about clicks and links! :confused:

[Shearer]

Former Cork Business League side Curry House Hungry Tigers are set to join the third tier.

Source - Waterford Whispers.

[nigel-harps1954]

Life now is all about clicks and links! :confused:

Funny, that's precisely how sources work.

[Eminence Grise]

I've just read on Foot.ie* that Trim Celtic, St Pat's CY, Limerick Utd, Peake Villa, Fairview Rangers, Monaghan United,Tullamore Town, Malahide United, Ballinasloe Town & Avenue United / Newmarket Celtic (Clare)are the clubs that were declined entries after their initial applications, but seemingly are to be considered in further FAI reviews after finalising certain criteria to join by the January extension.

Citogenesis (https://www.definitions.net/definition/citogenesis)!

(*Well, I did before the post was deleted while I was typing!)

[legendz]

A come on people, you know how it is, all the usual social media outlets, you know how it works, various threads, forums, rumours........


A rule was set of no speculative lists, so either sources or I delete.

A social media post speculating isn't sources either, by the way.
Harsh on the fella who started the thread in the first place to list possible teams!


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!

Aside from speculation...
Reports of CK playing in Buckley Park are interesting. Between that and having academy sides, will be interested to hear how far along they are towards obtaining a First Division licence.

[nr637]

I’d add Achill Islanders FC to your list. It’s all the talk over on Bebo and MySpace

Is that Bebo FC and MySpace FC that you are on about m8! :confused:

[nr637]

Former Cork Business League side Curry House Hungry Tigers are set to join the third tier.

Source - Waterford Whispers.

Loving it! :)

[nr637]

Considering all the lists of teams that were posted over the last few months and then the 15 teams so far, announced by the FAI, were all on those lists and the original 67 applications, so the sources being asked for must be getting some of their information right!

:confused:

[BigEars]

Considering all the lists of teams that were posted over the last few months and then the 15 teams so far, announced by the FAI, were all on those lists and the original 67 applications, so the sources being asked for must be getting some of their information right!

:confused:

On all of those lists or some of those lists ?
Throw enough ****e at a wall, some of it will stick !

[nigel-harps1954]

Harsh on the fella who started the thread in the first place to list possible teams!

Dunno about that.


Lets list ONLY CONFIRMED AND WELL SOURCED teams for the proposed North & South Divisions.

[legendz]

Dunno about that.
Last edited by nigel-harps1954; 09/01/2026 at 6:12 PM

Is a moderator gaslighting the original poster or something?!

[nigel-harps1954]

Last edited by nigel-harps1954; 09/01/2026 at 6:12 PM

Is a moderator gaslighting the original poster or something?!

No, he's just sick of repeating himself.

Also when asking for sources, you usually expect the poster to provide them rather than posting more nonsense.

[Roones26]

I get peoples desire to speculate here but to Nigel's point it has to be moving the conversation along or contributing something meaningful. The only thing that seems to be known for certain is 15 teams with potentially 5 more due to come, when? nobody knows but rehashing the same list of names from 14 months agon without adding anything new isnt especially interesting.

its as deeply frustrating to me as it is to everyone here that local and national press dont seem to running this down or that everyone in Abbottstown is for once in their life being tight lipped but unfortunately it just does seem there isnt much to add at this stage. Theres questions around the participation in the Donegal League and the LSL I'd be interested in knowing more about but theres just nothing to go off of

[EatYerGreens]

Considering all the lists of teams that were posted over the last few months and then the 15 teams so far, announced by the FAI, were all on those lists and the original 67 applications, so the sources being asked for must be getting some of their information right!

:confused:

Or looked at another way - if you speculatively name pretty much every adult team of-note in the country, then you'll obviously get quite a few of them right :D

[legendz]

Academy sides:
• CK United (Carlow/Kilkenny)
• Mayo Football Club (Mayo)

Senior League:
• Home Farm (Dublin)
• Lucan United (Dublin)
• St. Francis (Dublin)

District League:
• Bonagee United (Donegal)
• Cockhill Celtic (Donegal)
• Killarney Celtic (Kerry)
• Letterkenny Rovers (Donegal)
• Mervue United (Galway)
• Newbridge Town (Kildare)
• Salthill Devon (Galway)
• Villa FC (Waterford)

College teams:
• TU Dublin (Dublin)
• UCC Soccer (Cork)

https://www.fai.ie/latest/15-clubs-confirmed-new-fai-national-league/

Academy sides must be building towards a First Division licence. The status of current senior leagues is questionable without clear link to district leagues. Would be curious about the lure of National League for senior league sides and college teams. Senior league clubs making the leap must be eyeing a First Division licence.
District league clubs wanting to play at the next highest level outside of hollow senior leagues is understandable. District clubs for years have settled for dominating their leagues and targeting the FAI Junior Cup. Whether that ambition will extend to the highest level of amateur football only remains to be seen.
LoI clubs for years were essentially senior teams only. Nowadays LoI clubs have academy sides, having a stronger connection with communities, schools and families. There are going to be amateur clubs who are pragmatic that amateur level is the height of their ambition.

One of the few details so far is that division winners will contest a National League playoff. If the winner has a First Division licence, they'll go forward to a promotion/relegation playoff. CK United could obtain a First Division licence but have their path to the First Division blocked by a strong amateur side. There might have to be scope eventually that the best side finishing in the top 3 of their division holding a First Division licence can go forward to the promotion/relegation playoff.

[culloty82]

That's the approach taken in the lower levels of the Scottish leagues, in that the champions of the Highland and Lowland Leagues must meet SFA licensing requirements to be considered for promotion to League Two:

https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scottish-fa-statement-pyramid-play-off-tie/?rid=14258

Similarly, such refusals at Tier 2 level happen annually in Wales.

[legendz]

Meeting licencing criteria to be considered for promotion is fine. CK United have academy sides which must cost a bit of investment, even at a basic level. Mervue and Salthill could concentrate on a senior side only without those academy costs. If CK United holding a First Division licence have there promotion path blocked by a Mervue, Salthill or any other NL focusing on a senior team only - it is restrictive. There might need to be some leeway around finishing in the top 3 or something agreeable by the clubs and FAI.

[Buckett]

https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2026/01/10/mayo-fc-barred-from-milebush-as-talks-with-league-collapse/

[Roones26]

How much of an issue do people think this will be ? Hard to get a read not knowing the local politics of it

https://www.westernpeople.ie/sport/major-fallout-in-mayo-soccer-leaves-sport-in-turmoil_arid-83496.html

[culloty82]

Meeting licencing criteria to be considered for promotion is fine. Mayo have academy sides which must cost a bit of investment, even at a basic level. Mervue and Salthill could concentrate on a senior side only without those academy costs. If Mayo holding a First Division licence have there promotion path blocked by a Mervue, Salthill or any other NL focusing on a senior team only - it is restrictive. There might need to be some leeway around finishing in the top 3 or something agreeable by the clubs and FAI.

Turns out Mayo's biggest First Division obstacle could well be their own League - surprising if they haven't co-opted some of the members onto the Mayo FC board?

https://www.westernpeople.ie/sport/major-fallout-in-mayo-soccer-leaves-sport-in-turmoil_arid-83496.html

[Buckett]

You can say that again!

[culloty82]

How much of an issue do people think this will be ? Hard to get a read not knowing the local politics of it

https://www.westernpeople.ie/sport/major-fallout-in-mayo-soccer-leaves-sport-in-turmoil_arid-83496.html

As you say, hard for a non-local to get a read on such things, but when Kerry were progressing through the Academy ranks and then preparing for adult football, it was initially wholly directed by the KDL, and then when legal incorporation was requested by the FAI, members of the League continued to serve on the new board, so would seem the logical blueprint for Mayo to follow to avoid such disputes.

[Nesta99]

Nationa League sound to GAA, when's it likely to be named and any good ideas for a name. One that doesnt devalue alike. Simple (Sponsor) League of Ireland Division 3. I think it needs to reflect that it is part of LoI structure in the name so National League nearly sounds like its a higher level that the PD. LoI Conference? Im sure someone could could come up with a good balance for a name! If the could get Bord Failte as sponsors, they could become creative.

[2 Year Contract]

Nationa League sound to GAA, when's it likely to be named and any good ideas for a name. One that doesnt devalue alike. Simple (Sponsor) League of Ireland Division 3. I think it needs to reflect that it is part of LoI structure in the name so National League nearly sounds like its a higher level that the PD. LoI Conference? Im sure someone could could come up with a good balance for a name! If the could get Bord Failte as sponsors, they could become creative.

Pretty sure the name is already set in stone. Also, Mark Scanlon has specifically stated on LOI Central podcast that the National League will NOT be a part of the league of Ireland and isn’t government by the LOI department, instead being governed by the FAI’s competitions department

[BigEars]

Nationa League sound to GAA, when's it likely to be named and any good ideas for a name. One that doesnt devalue alike. Simple (Sponsor) League of Ireland Division 3. I think it needs to reflect that it is part of LoI structure in the name so National League nearly sounds like its a higher level that the PD. LoI Conference? Im sure someone could could come up with a good balance for a name! If the could get Bord Failte as sponsors, they could become creative.

The thing is though, it's been specifically mentioned, this is not a League of Ireland division. It may offer potential promotion to the League of Ireland, like the National League in England leads into the football league (League Two), but it is a different entity and part of non league football in Ireland.

[Nesta99]

Fair enough. I can see people turning up for top level national league games and going wth. Even if not LoI linked the name just seems out of place in some way.

[2 Year Contract]

Fair enough. I can see people turning up for top level national league games and going wth. Even if not LoI linked the name just seems out of place in some way.
Ah people surely aren’t that daft though. If they’ve bothered to show up to a National league match then they’d surely have an interest in it enough to know that they’re not going to a match at the top tier of Irish football. The 5th tier in England is also called the national league and I don’t think they run into that issue!

[Nesta99]

Its very obviou from profile of EPL. Tourists might be duped by some donegal side dismissing Harps. Its not that big a deal, I just dont like it as it doesnt reflect the place in the system. Is it even national, or regionalised, or leaving areas unrepresented. Even just the sponsors name would be better, Joes Cabs League....

[nigel-harps1954]

Its very obviou from profile of EPL. Tourists might be duped by some donegal side dismissing Harps. Its not that big a deal, I just dont like it as it doesnt reflect the place in the system. Is it even national, or regionalised, or leaving areas unrepresented. Even just the sponsors name would be better, Joes Cabs League....

https://loihistory.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/doc07483620150127112324_001.jpg?w=1000&h=314&crop=1

[EatYerGreens]

Fair enough. I can see people turning up for top level national league games and going wth. Even if not LoI linked the name just seems out of place in some way.

Anyone who did that would clearly be an idiot though.

[EatYerGreens]

Pretty sure the name is already set in stone. Also, Mark Scanlon has specifically stated on LOI Central podcast that the National League will NOT be a part of the league of Ireland and isn’t government by the LOI department, instead being governed by the FAI’s competitions department

I'm old enough to remember when the LOI was called the National League*

*(it was only about 20-25yrs ago).

[Elfman]

Turns out Mayo's biggest First Division obstacle could well be their own League - surprising if they haven't co-opted some of the members onto the Mayo FC board?

https://www.westernpeople.ie/sport/major-fallout-in-mayo-soccer-leaves-sport-in-turmoil_arid-83496.html
They did and that bizarrely seems to be a factor in this dispute: https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2025/11/28/tensions-flare-within-mayo-soccer-over-perceived-power-shift-to-mayo-fc/

I wonder if the outgoing chairman stepping down tipped the scales. He seems to have been in favour of Mayo FC based on this article: https://www.mayonews.ie/news/home/1233888/mayo-fc-officially-launched-on-momentous-day-for-soccer.html
He's a Kiltimagh/Knock United man fwiw.

The article also mentions that the league even visited Kerry F.C. when they were setting up the club:
"Mayo Football League officials visited Kerry FC and held extensive discussions with the FAI as part of their preparations for the setting up of the club."

[legendz]

I thought Limerick were good for in fighting. Mayo might bring it to a whole new level! A Mayo problem to solve. They've been the next after Kerry for embracing representative football down through the years. Going back as far as the Eircom U21 League. Mayo FC is a natural evolution for them but seems there will be an internal war!

On the FAI National League name. The FAI and LoI need to get on with their own ventures and not be concerned by other sports. The GAA leagues excluding sponsorship name are mainly referred to as National Football League and National Hurling League. "FAI National League" seems clear enough.