Meeting of clubs may lead to radical change

National League officials are hoping that today's meeting of the 22 clubs from around the country at the Citywest hotel on the outskirts of Dublin will pave the way to "radical changes" in the way that the league is run. While the debate over the last couple of weeks has become increasingly bogged down on the issue of the number of clubs to compete in the premier division, it seems there will be agreement on issues like financial regulation, the timing of the season and the development of young players.

The broad parameters of major changes in these areas are expected to be discussed today, with the detail being hammered out before the league's a.g.m. in the summer.

"I wouldn't anticipate a whole lot actually being decided this weekend," says Brendan Menton, "but there do appear to be areas where broad agreement might be reached, and in several cases, I feel, the changes involved will be of more long-term importance to the game than whether we end up having a 10, 12, 14 or 16-team premier division."

On the questions of the size and structure of the league, there seems little hope either of the two main blocks can get the sort of numbers they require to achieve their desired ends. Unless the biggest clubs in the country are prepared to impose change by breaking away, the current system of two divisions, 12 and 10-strong respectively, could well be retained.

Elsewhere, however, it is hoped that much more can be achieved. "I think that the main thing," says Menton, "is that there is now a widespread recognition of the need for radical change and I'm not sure that that has ever really been there before.

"We've had four working groups to consider various changes over the last four years and each time the proposals that they have made have been rejected, so it's important now that we take the opportunity to move things forward."

Menton feels the will is there now to run the season from Februry to October.

In terms of youth development, the only serious debate looks likely to be over whether the new league to replace the reserve division is aimed at 18 or 21-year-olds. Also, clubs may be ready to accept some more financial regulation and openness than there has been in the past.