The GPA has unveiled its football competitions proposal which has been submitted to the GAA as part of the Association's competition structures review.

The players' body is seeking a new Champions League-style football championship structure with a 32-team All-Ireland series of eight groups. The seedings would be determined by Allianz League standings, while the provincial championships would be retained. The GPA is also proposing the abolition of pre-season competitions and that the All-Ireland championship be completed sooner to allow more time for club activity.

GPA chief-executive Dessie Farrell said: "The structure of the inter-county football competition has been a burning issue for several years and this Proposal, developed in consultation with players, aims to tackle the concerns raised in relation to the current structure.

"These changes will improve the welfare of the player by tightening the competition calendar, improving the games to training ratio and enhancing the playing experience at club and county level. This proposal can help unlock the potential of our inter-county football competition."

The principal component of the format proposed in the model is the addition to the league and provincial championships of a new All-Ireland Series - a 32-team series of eight groups with seedings determined by Allianz League standings and provincial championships.

The GPA working group believes the inclusion of this new series will provide a serious impetus for inter-county football competition while facilitating an improvement in the club fixture schedule.

Some of the other key points contained in the Proposal include:

Better playing experience
A fairer and more equitable competition structure
Increased number of high profile games for all counties
Pre-determined closed and pre seasons
An increase in the games to training ratio
More structure to county and club championships
League and Provincial Championships directly linked to new All-Ireland Series
Improved experience for supporters
Enhanced commercial revenue for the GAA at central and county level
High profile games in regional venues boosting local economies

An overwhelming number of county squads have favoured the GPA proposal over the current system and the players' body is recommending that the system be trialled over a two-year period and then reviewed.

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