Sport

FAI welcomes new National League

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is looking to recruit 20 teams for a new league that will act as a direct connection between grassroots and professional football for the first time in Ireland.

The FAI is calling all aspiring clubs and administrators to express their interest in becoming one of the 20 teams that will form part of this new era in national football history. This initiative underscores the FAI’s Football Pathways Plan and commitment to fostering talent from the grassroots level and ensuring that players and clubs across Ireland can progress to the highest level.

FAI Grassroots Director Ger McDermott said: "I'd like to thank the working group that has dedicated a lot of hard work and effort behind the scenes to get to where we are today with this announcement. It's a first step in the development of a pyramid for Irish football, and we will be working closely with all provincial associations and all existing leagues, who will form a core part of the other tiers. We look to engaging with all interested clubs and entities in our new FAI National League.

Introducing the FAI National League 😍

A direct connection between grassroots and professional football for the first time in Ireland, we're looking for 20 teams to join the new league 🙌 pic.twitter.com/1dcPEo3oUv

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) December 12, 2024

20 Teams, 2 Divisions, 1 National League

The National League is set to join Ireland’s football pyramid, providing a clear path for promotion and relegation to and from the League of Ireland (LOI). The FAI plans to include 20 clubs, divided into North and South divisions. Teams will compete within their divisions first, aiming to qualify for playoffs. The top teams from each division will then battle for promotion to the LOI Men’s First Division. Meanwhile, LOI Men’s First Division clubs could face relegation to the National League, ensuring a competitive and evolving system that rewards performance and development.

How It Works
The league is scheduled to debut in 2026 with a shortened season to sync with the 2027 LOI calendar. Interested clubs must submit applications by 21 February 2025. The FAI will evaluate submissions and engage with prospective teams to provide details and address queries. Operating as an independent but interconnected entity, the league offers clubs a pathway to grow, achieve their ambitions, and compete on a national stage.

FAI Chief Football Officer Marc Canham added: "This is the first stage of the creation of a new FAI National League and is an exciting moment for Irish football as we progress another of our 11 key actions aligned with our Football Pathways Plan. The new FAI National League provides a clear pathway and progression from the amateur game to the League of Ireland, and we look forward to working with all stakeholders to develop our Irish football pyramid now and in the future.""

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