I thought I would just post some of the conversations online for updates on the new Third Tier through 2025.
Take from it what you want and add any further detail if you have any connections to any clubs named!.
Northern Sound's article from early May explained that the 67 number has been cut down with two criteria given:
- "a number of the registered expressions of interest were not fully backed by the clubs"
- "a number of the clubs... were believed to be playing below the standard expected of the new league" (I find this criterion highly suspect as aside from the Leinster Senior League standing above all others, there is not much of a gulf between the top flights of any of the remaining leagues in the country)
This article gives the only confirmed club of the 67 to fail this first stage - Monaghan United FC who recently defected from the top flight of the Monaghan Cavan League to the third tier of the North East Football League pyramid (
which they are currently leading)
This Shannonside article from late February confirms that there will be no side representing the Roscommon & District League
in its entirety in the National League. It is
believed that no Roscommon side has applied.
This article confirms applications from Mayo FC and Salthill Devon, and the writer "understands clubs and entities from Monaghan [likely just the aforementioned failed Monaghan United FC bid] Meath, Tipperary and Offaly have expressed an interest".
Of the latter 3 counties, the only confirmed applicant from any of them is Peake Villa from Thurles which
did so rather amateurishly via an X reply
IFB Media seemingly confirmed there to be one B-Team applicant, we would have to imagine that belongs to Shamrock Rovers.
IFB Media also confirmed four applications from University sides:
- TUS Midlands (formerly Athlone IT)
- UCC
- SETU Carlow (formerly Carlow IT)
- DCU in partnership with Home Farm FC
Other confirmed sides (please feel free to link evidence for more in replies):
There are more clubs that I have seen rumoured to have applied but no official confirmation found in media or online:
- Midleton FC
- Kilbarrack United
- Arklow Town
- Trim Celtic
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