Longford's Michael Quinn says gaelic footballers have no interest in playing in a second-tier competition.

The GAA's Management and Central Council is due to sit down this weekend to discuss proposals for a revamp of the football championship. Most of the 18 proposals up for discussion involve the introduction of a 'B' competition but, having consulted with players, the GPA has come up with an alternative proposal.

The GPA idea is that there would be eight groups of four. The winners of each group would progress to the last 16; the second- and third-placed teams in the groups would then play-off for the remaining eight places in the last 16.

Longford ace Quinn was one of those who helped put the GPA proposal together and he told The Irish Independent: "You would question the value of a 'B' Championship and whether it would be devalued in any way. That was the feeling during the deliberations. It came across all the surveys.

"There is a divide at the moment and the gap seems to be getting bigger, but a 'B' championship allows for that gap to increase instead of doing something to bring those counties on to a higher level.

"It wouldn't hold the same value as a full-tier competition. Most counties are in agreement that change is required. There are always going to be issues.

"But that's where the GPA's proposal is different in that they listened to the players. You would wonder with a 'B' competition if the same support from the GAA would be there."

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