The FBD League and O’Byrne Cup could be set for retirement as a new 30-week GAA inter-county season is proposed.
GAA director general Tom Ryan, writing in his annual report outlined a committee chaired by Padraic Duffy had reviewed the current inter-county season schedule.
While, numerous benefits were reported. Including an increase in club championship gate receipts. Whereas, the All-Ireland football finals no longer taking place in September were reducing visibility of the sport.
As such it is proposed to move the All-Ireland football final to the first or second Sunday in August. Thus the trade-off being the scrapping of the pre-season tournaments.
Writing in his report, Ryan said; “That may prove contentious. I know the suspension of those matches even for one year did not meet with universal approval. Nevertheless I like the idea and I think this compromise is one worth making.”
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Ryan said; “There has been discussion about the timing of the All-Ireland finals and what that means and the pressures that that creates and the shortcomings about promotion and all those things.
“I think sometimes they're a little bit overstated but at the same time there's a clear imperative to move things back a little bit and put in a little bit of breathing space.
Season to be extended
“If you're going to do that, you can't ask players to perform earlier at one end of the year and later at the other. Something has to give. The most important people are the players and we have to make sure that players get a break.”
The FBD League, O'Byrne cup and other pre-season tournaments did not take place in the 2025 season. Indeed, the majority of inter-county managers spoke in favour of their return in 2026.
The motion is set to go before congress on February 27 and 28th.
