Head of Games Administration Feargal McGill says the GAA no longer encourages the round-robin system such as that planned for the Leinster SFC.

A similar format - involving four counties - had been in existence in the late 1990s before being scrapped following the introduction of the All-Ireland qualifiers in 2001. A proposal to reintroduce the round-robin system will be debated at a Leinster Council meeting in October.

But speaking to The Irish Times, McGill expressed reservations about the proposal which will only add to what is already a congested fixtures' schedule.

"In broad terms, the association has not been encouraging round-robin formats, particularly in football," he said.

"There haven't been the same concerns in hurling because there are fewer counties involved at senior championship level.

"Across a range of discussion groups in recent years the priority has been to ease the pressure on clubs and club players. Unfortunately club activities and county activities are opposites and we can't expand one without reducing the other."

Should the Leinster counties proceed with the proposal, a change to Rule 6.27 A (1) of the Official Guide would be necessary and that would require a motion to annual Congress. Tweet

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