FAI National League Thread

[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....

[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/m...rid-83496.html

They did and that bizarrely seems to be a factor in this dispute: https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2025/11...ft-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/12...or-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.

[culloty82]

The odd thing is that I recall the FAI were calling it a Conference in their initial briefings on the concept, which would have highlighted its role as a conduit between the district leagues and the First Division.

[Buckett]

People's Judean Front