Limerick GAA confirm minor could be set for a return to U18 grade

A LEADING Limerick GAA official has lent his support to calls for the minor grade to return to U18.

“I would support the reintroduction of the minor grade reverting back to U18 at both club and inter-county and leave it up to the county to introduce decoupling or not,” outlined Limerick GAA secretary Mike O’Riordan in his report to Tuesday’s Annual Convention at Ahane GAA Clubhouse.

At present the inter-county and Limerick minor competitions are played at U17. In his report, O’Riordan details how Limerick has “seen the largest ever number of clubgames played in a season in the county”.

A review of competition structures will take place in January and the secretary is proposing a number of changes.
“The introduction of the Junior B and C Football Championships worked really well this year. I would propose that we increase the number of games at minor level and reduce the number of games at U20 level. At U20 level increase the grades to Premier, A, B, C and D if required.

“The County Junior B Hurling Championship should go all-county next season. The County League should also revert back to all-county with the various divisional competitions played on a knockout basis managed by the County CCC,” outlined the County Board secretary.

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Limerick Football Committee secretary Paul Angim echoed the calls for some changes.

“The six championships from senior down to junior C are now run on the same format with all the matches on the same weekend. This has proved a success with less walkovers recorded, no overlap with hurling weekends, plus teams in Junior B have more championship matches against a greater variety of opposition.

“Things had gone stale in the divisional championships with clubs playing the same opposition every year. Teams will find their level with the advent of all-county junior B and junior C championships.”

Anglim added: “I think the leagues will have to return to an all-county format with promotion and relegation. The divisional championships could be played early in the year on a straight knockout basis like they were pre Covid”.

The Limerick Football Committee official also wants a return to GAA headquarters for some football finals.

“The County Senior football final is the main fixture in the club football calendar and it is my opinion that it should be fixed for the Limerick GAA headquarters in the Gaelic Grounds and if possible as a double header with the intermediate final.”