Positive meeting for NEFL in Navan

There was a good turn-out of club officials at the North East Football League meeting tonight in the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan where the main item on the agenda was a discussion about the format for the future with an opening discussion on the likely impact of a change in season.

At the moment the season runs from August to April/May annually, but a change could see the season running from March to November, but there was also a proposal from Donal Lynch of Rock Celtic to stay with the current format but introduce a break of six to eight weeks from around mid-December to mid-February.

The meeting was attended by FAI Club and League Development Manager Barry Gleeson who explained that there is a proposal to get under-age (schoolboy) football moved to a calendar year season.

Art Agnew of Carrick Rovers (Monaghan) suggested that a trial basis for a change might be the best way to gauge the positives and negatives.

There was a lengthy discussion also about moving away from Sunday fixtures for the first teams of clubs with midweek and Saturday as alternatives.

Another proposal that received some positive feedback was that some of the lower leagues should be regionalised although a number of club officials were opposed to this.

No decisions were made, but recommendations can be put forward either by clubs or the NEFL committee for consideration at the annual general meeting next May.

CHALLENGE CUP

Quarter-final results – Rock Celtic 2, Ardee Celtic 1; Navan Cosmos 2, Rathkenny Rovers 1; Duleek 3, Rangers 0.

This Sunday – Trim Celtic v Boyne Harps at MDL, Navan 11.15am.

Semi-final draw: Navan Cosmos v Duleek; Rock Celtic v Trim Celtic or Boyne Harps.