The GAA has to be ‘smart’ about any potential new football championship format, according to Pete McGrath.

A recent GPA survey revealed that a majority of inter-county players would favour the introduction of a two-tier football championship.

Speaking to the Irish News, the former Down, Fermanagh and Louth boss – who was recently appointed manager of his home club Rostrevor for 2019 – had a word of advice for the powers-that-be.

“Obviously I’d need to see the blueprint whenever it comes out. They have to be smart about this,” he remarked.

“We all know there’d be a stigma attached to teams who are able to play only in a second or third tier.

“If the GAA model it in such a way that, initially, every team is in the same competition: ie, their provincial Championship, which leads on to qualifiers and, ultimately, the Sam Maguire, then that would be OK.

“Then, at a certain point, if a county doesn’t win its initial game or its second game, they play in a second tier competition – to me that would appear more democratic.”

Tweet

Most Read Stories