20 Teams, 2 Divisions, 1 National League

[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/...troduced-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?