Carlow manager Turlough O’Brien has branded the introduction of a Tier 2 football championship as "a horrifically bad decision”.

Last weekend’s Special Congress gave the green light to the new competition, with 75.5% of delegates voting in its favour, which means that Division 3 and Division 4 teams will be out of the running for the Sam Maguire Cup once their provincial involvement comes to an end - unless they reach their respective finals.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Barrowsiders boss O’Brien feels it “has no chance of being successful”.

"We're heading for a revolution in the organisation unless we work out what's best for everybody and take steps to implement it. It can't all be about 'Super 8s' and the top teams," he stated.

He added: "How does it help a squad to develop? It's just a re-run of the league with fewer games. I know from dealing with Carlow players over the years that they want to play in the qualifiers and I bet most players from other Division 3 and 4 counties are the same.

"They want to have a second go at the championship after the provincials and play the stronger teams. Instead, they're blocked from that and sent into Tier 2 to play among themselves.

"We're told it will be promoted well and it might be for a year or two, but will that continue? I doubt it.”

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