Former Armagh star Oisin McConville has criticised the GAA’s decision to split the Tailteann Cup into northern and southern sections.

The inaugural competition officially gets underway tomorrow when Wicklow play Waterford in the preliminary round in Aughrim (throw-in 3pm).

Speaking to BBC Sport NI, McConville said he felt that structuring the competition in northern and southern sections was an opportunity lost for different teams to come up against each other.

"I hate it," the 2002 All-Ireland winner stated. "It was a tough, hard sell to begin with and I don't think we need to dilute it in any way, but I think players are up in arms about this."

He added: "From a players' point of view and a managers' point of view, we had a situation during Covid where we had leagues and they were divided into north and south sections.

"You know what? I think everybody accepted it. It wasn't ideal but we were thankful that players were getting games. Now we have had an opportunity to really mix it up and to put teams against each other who would never have had the opportunity to play against each other before.

"I want it to work for everyone involved and everyone who has invested in it.”

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