Kerry moves to relegate four teams in revised GAA Leagues structure

A motion to restructure the leagues will be heard next month.

Kerry GAA Crest. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

KERRY'S GAA County Leagues face significant change, with four teams to be relegated from each of the top five divisions next season, if a motion is passed at the November meeting of the county committee. 

The proposal from the Kerry executive plans to reduce the number of teams in each division of the County Football League from 12 to 10 teams from 2026. That will require a stay on the usual 'three up three down' system for one season, with four teams being relegated from Divisions 1 to 5, with just two promoted from Divisions 2 to 6.

If the motion is not passed, other motions to reduce fixture congestion will be heard. A motion from Gneeveguilla proposes that the 2025 leagues commence three weeks earlier at the start of March, while another motion proposes that the current phase two that applies to Division 6 be abandoned.

The Na Gaeil club have also proposed a motion to protect dual players in the county, asking that the Kerry CCC would endeavour to ensure that there is a gap of at least a week between hurling and football championship fixtures involving dual players, and that such games certainly shouldn't be played on the same weekend.

Eight of Na Gaeil's footballers played with county champions Abbeydorney in the Kerry SHC this season, while others played with Tralee Parnells. 

Killarney Legion have proposed that underage grades be returned to even age groups, starting with minor moving from U17 to U18. It proposes that players over 17 be allowed play both minor and adult competitions, but that adult competitions can't be delayed due to underage players.

There will be no elections at the county convention on December 3rd, with all officers returned unopposed. None of the incumbent officers have reached the end of a five-year term. Kerry Chairman Patrick O’Sullivan confirmed that a 3G all-weather pitch at Kerry's centre of excellence in Currans should be ready early in 2025.

Meanwhile Abbeydorney will have home advantage in their Munster IHC clash with Tipperary's Cashel King Cormacs on November 17th, after winning a toss on Wednesday.