Three options for format of leagues from 2028

Delegates at the next meeting of Cork County Board will decide on one of three options regarding the format that the county leagues should take from 2028.

Currently, both the RedFM Hurling League and McCarthy Insurance Group Football League operate on a system of seven divisions of ten teams each, with two clubs promoted and relegated.

For dual clubs, that means 18 consecutive weeks of action and one of outfits, Newcestown, are seeking a reduction on that front, proposing that a new system of eight-team divisions is implemented.

Speaking to The Echo earlier this month, their football delegate Tom Wilson outlined concerns around the busy programme.

“It’s a very heavy schedule from the first of March to the end of June, trying to fit in 18 games in 18 weekends and it’s a little bit tough on players.

“We see it as a player-welfare issue in that, if they have maybe two games less in each code, they could have the odd weekend off.

“In the championship format, you have six games over eight weeks and that works very well but 18 games in 18 weeks in the league is kind of tough going, especially if you have any reason for having a postponement.”

In acknowledgement of the difficulties encountered by dual clubs, the county competitions control committee (CCC) will put forward alterations to the schedule and, if passed, these would come into force for 2027.

By starting a week earlier, the leagues would incorporate a ‘break week’ on the May bank holiday weekend while the current 30-day window for re-fixing postponed matches would be extended to 60 days.

Assuming that those meet favour, there will be a choice of three methods for the following year.

Prior to any vote on Newcestown’s suggested alteration however, a modification proposed by the CCC will be put to the floor.

That is in essence a compromise between the status quo and the Newcestown motion, whereby divisions would be reduced from ten to nine, meaning eight games for each club.

Efforts would be made to ensure that dual clubs would not have their bye week in either of the opening two rounds.

Should that not be passed on the nod, a vote will take place, with proportional representation employed to determine the favoured mode.

Newcestown’s proposal would involve teams playing seven matches, which would allow for five free weekends in the programe. If either that or the CCC plan are passed, the 2027 leagues would work as rankings deciders for the 2028 leagues.

The third option will be to preserve the current system of nine games in each, though with the expected change in the calendar.

One other change which could impact the leagues is that all participating clubs must have at least one active referee affiliated. Where this has not happened by the fifth round of league games, home advantage will be surrendered for the remainder of the competition.

An active referee shall be defined as a referee who has officiated a minimum of ten official games during the 2026 season. However, where a club has a new referee in 2027, who has by definition not met the ten-game threshold, he or she may be recognised as an active referee once they have successfully completed the relevant probationary

period.

In addition, a minimum fine of €500 will apply to a club whereby a player, team official or supporters are reported for abusive a referee, line umpire, score umpire or fourth official.