Offaly will support the proposed round-robin format for next year's Leinster SFC when it is discussed by the Leinster Council next month.

It is proposed that the six weaker counties in the province be divided into two groups of three, with the top team in each group advancing in the Leinster SFC and the other two going into the All-Ireland qualifiers.

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. Indeed, Offaly famously won the Delaney Cup after emerging from the round-robin series in 1997.

At last week's county board meeting, Offaly delegates gave their backing to the proposed format, despite it having possible implications for the local club scene. Next year, a new senior 'A' and  'B' championship format will be introduced in the Faithful County, meaning each club will play at least three extra championship games.

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