20 Teams, 2 Divisions, 1 National League

**legendz** · 22/11/2025, 6:37 AM

Originally Posted by Burnsie

Anything below level 3 is a pipe dream. I’d say we’re getting the A Championship mark II and that’s it

Underwhelming if so. Pessimism understandable. If true - so much for the glossy Football Pathways Plan, setting out a 12-year vision to “maximise the potential of Irish football across all levels.”, that might just wind up collecting dust on the shelf like plans that have come and gone before it.
Small grounds for optimism are when Bray and Cabinteely merged, there was no stopgap in 2022. The big push to try and get all leagues aligned to the calendar year season was initially a positive move anyway before the push back. If the third tier is about quality and not quantity, that'll be positive too.
Time will tell if the A Championship mark II is it. Getting buy in from top district league clubs to join regional leagues will be a key step. If regional leagues get off the ground, linking regional leagues to the third tier should be smoother. If regional leagues don't get off the ground, it will be a case of getting the A Championship mark II and that’s it.

**brendy_�ire** · 22/11/2025, 8:11 AM

Derry not in talks with Sam Todd, so we can all assume he's definitely away to Bohs.
Chat of Ben Doherty following him, which would be strange. Always did the job for us, but maybe he's thinking he won't get as much game time next season, especially if McClean is coming in.

**legendz** · 22/11/2025, 8:19 AM

Originally Posted by brendy_�ire

Derry not in talks with Sam Todd, so we can all assume he's definitely away to Bohs.
Chat of Ben Doherty following him, which would be strange. Always did the job for us, but maybe he's thinking he won't get as much game time next season, especially if McClean is coming in.

Wrong thread there but on McClean - did he play in the A Championship for Derry when he was breaking through?