Kildare GAA: new club championship format on the cards

Following a survey conducted by Kildare GAA that saw both clubs and general membership taking part, the format for Kildare club championships, both football and hurling, could be about to change come 2026 season.

Results of the survey were given to club delegates at the Februay meeting of Kildare Co. Board last week.

At present there are sixteen clubs in both senior and intermediate championship with twelve in the junior equivalent.

However results from the survey indicates that changes may be on the way, with the senior grade in line for the major revamp.

A final decision on the format on the football championships will be taken at the March meeting of the county board, once that is decided, hurling will then be looked at.

For football there will be two options following the survey.
Option A: keep the existing championship as is, that is 16 senior, 16 intermediate along with the junior championship.
Option B: 12 clubs in senior; 16 in intermediate with 8 in junior and a possible 8 more in a Junior B championsip.
A meeting of all club chairpersons will be held prior to the March meeting where a final decision will be taken.
As to how to get to those 12 senior teams the proposal would see 3 teams relegated in 2025 and one promoted (from intermediate); and the same in 2026 and again in 2027.
As to how a 12 team championship would be run will not be decided until it is confirmed that that is what the clubs are in favour of.
It was emphasised by Co Board Chairman, Mick Mullen, that only clubs will decide what format will be used; the top table will not have a vote, club delegates only.