With this proposed Reserve League, what is the driving force behind ending the A Championship that's already in existence? Is it that the A Championship might not have a sponsor after this year? Newstalk have been the name sponsor. It's not really a league that has developed. It has a purpose but has not got a high profile and will be unlikely to attract a sponsor on it's own. It looks like a move to bring it under the umbrella of the Airtricity League. Is it the wishes of Premier clubs who do not want to have to field an A side? The A Championship appeared to be a standard where Premier clubs had to field a side and first teams could join. I can only imagine with the Reserve League, there will not be the stipulation for the mandatory fielding of a team by Premier clubs? Are any of these behind the moves?
At the end of the day, if it provides a path for potential new clubs, it's a good thing. People can lament there is not a club from their regions but if a pathway is there to join the league, there is not much to complain about. I hope whatever happens, moves are made to lengthen the season. The 16 league games Carlow, Tralee Dynamos and others played last season was way too few. For teams like these to develop and establish themselves, they need more league games than that in a season.
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