Premier Division To Revert To 12 Teams

There was no big surprise at the league's A.G.M on Saturday 13th March when it was voted that there would be a change back to the old format of a 12-team Premier and 10-team First Division.

Needing a two-thirds majority vote if the ten team Premier was to be retained, it was highly predictable that there would be changes. With only 8 teams voting to keep the same structure, including Shelbourne, Bohemians and Cork City - three teams will now be promoted, one relegated and there will be no playoffs.

FAI chief executive Fran Rooney insisted that the target is still to ensure all aspects of the licensing scheme for next season, but it will depend on how many clubs will gain 'A' licence's by this time next year.

All clubs must meet the 'A' criteria if they are to participate in the Premier so if only ten teams achieve this, then they will be the ten teams to play Premiership football. In theory, it will be the top 12 placed teams in both divisions that have the A licence but newly-elected League Chairman, Declan O'Luanaigh, expressed confidence after Saturday's meeting, however, that the necessary numbers would met the required standards well before the end of the current campaign and that next year's premier division will be made up entirely of teams that have earned their place there on the field of play.