County League Formats and Regulations 2022 & 2023
A restructuring of the County Leagues was planned at the end of 2020 to align the league programme more appropriately with the new championship programme. With all teams now guaranteed at least three championship games, it was felt that a lesser number of league games would be appropriate. Also, the split season means a tighter timeframe and weekends could not be wasted with uneven groups. A target of ten teams per division and nine games per team was established.
(Note: It is expected that Macroom GAA Club will again organise the Tom Creedon Cup on hurling league weekends, with a hurling equivalent such as the Liam Breathnach Cup, for example, being organised on football league weekends if there is sufficient demand from clubs for extra games.)
Regional Junior Leagues will be introduced in 2023.
The league structure shown below is proposed. In order to restructure the leagues on a fair basis, the Divisions will be split into Groups 1A & 1B, 2A & 2B, 3A & 3B (and 3C football) for 2022. Teams are allocated based primarily on their finishing league position in 2019 and secondly on their championship status for 2022. Groups 1A and 1B are of the same standard, for example, and are evenly graded.
In 2023, 5 Divisions of ten teams and 1 Division of 12 teams will be in place in both Hurling and Football, based on finishing positions at end 2022.
Hurling 2023 – 62 teams
Division 1 Top 5 Teams from 1A and Top 5 Teams from 1B
Division 2 Bottom 5 Teams from 1A and Bottom 5 Teams from 1B
Division 3 Top 5 Teams from 2A and Top 5 Teams from 2B
Division 4 Bottom 4 Teams from 2A, Bottom 5 Teams from 2B, and Top Team from Div 3.
Division 5 Remaining Top 3 Teams from 3A, Top 3 Teams from 3B, Top 3 Teams from 3C and two best 4th placed team across the three Groups
Division 6 The remaining 4th placed team, the 5th, 6th, 7th placed teams from each of the three Groups, 1 remaining 8th placed teams and the 2022 Junior A County Championship winner (12 teams in total). The other 8th placed team will be regraded to Divisional / Regional leagues for 2023.
Football 2023 – 62 teams for 2022
Division1 Top 5 Teams from 1A and Top 5 Teams from 1B
Division 2 Bottom 5 Teams from 1A and Bottom 5 Teams from 1B
Division 3 Top 5 Teams from 2A and Top 5 Teams from 2B
Division 4 Bottom 5 Teams from 2A and Bottom 5 Teams from 2B
Division 5 Top 5 Teams from 3A and Top 5 Teams from 3B
Division 6 The remaining 4 teams in 3A and 3B, with the 8 Junior A Divisional Championship winners for 2022 (12 teams in total).
In each case, the promoted and relegated teams will replace their relevant counterpart. Both league finalists in Division 2 will be promoted in place of the bottom team in both Group 1A and 1B. Both league finalists in Division 3 will be promoted in place of the bottom team in both Group 2A and 2B.
League Play-offs 2022
In Divisions 1 and 2, the top team will play the second placed team in the corresponding group. For example, the top team in Group 1A will have home advantage versus the second placed team in Group 1B and vice versa.
In Division 3 hurling, the top two teams in each group will progress to the quarter-finals. The top two teams will get a bye to the semi-finals, the higher ranked teams always having home advantage until the final.
In Division 3 football, the top four teams in each group will qualify for league quarter-finals with 1 v 4 etc, the top two ranked teams having home advantage. This will help to compensate for the reduced number of games in these groups.
All league finals will be played at neutral venues.
In all cases the promoted and relegated teams will replace their relevant counterpart. Both league finalists in Group 2 will be promoted in place of the bottom team in both Division 1A and 1B. Both league finalists in Group 3 will be promoted in place of the bottom teams in Groups 2A and 2B.
Teams that are relegated in championships shall retain their league status as both competitions are decoupled. Teams relegated to Junior A championships will retain their position in the County Senior and Intermediate Leagues. Once County or regional Junior leagues are in place, relegation and promotion will follow.
(1) Correspondence
All correspondence in relation to fixtures is to be submitted from the Club Secretary’s official email to the County Secretary’s official email administrator.cork@gaa.ie
(2) Completion Dates
The completion date for the group stage is June 26th for Football and July 2nd for Hurling. League play-offs will take place on the earliest possible date thereafter.
(3) Venue
The first named team has home venue, but if this venue is not available, the game will be played at the opponent’s venue or at neutral venue. The national flag is to be flown for all league games and pitches are to be properly lined and flagged.
(3) Referee
Where the appointed referee fails to attend, agreement must be reached between the two clubs on a substitute referee by either tossing or by agreement. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of the league points by the club or clubs failing to agree. In the event of a referee being agreed by both clubs it is the responsibility of the club of the referee to ensure that the official report of the game is submitted within three days of the game. If the agreed referee is not a member of either participating club, the responsibility for ensuring the report is submitted shall rest with the home club.
(4) Fixtures
All fixtures listed at the start of the year are thereby ratified for the dates / times outlined.
Request for Postponement / Change
Any request for changes to the listed time and / or date must be sent from the club secretary’s official email to the county secretary’s official email administrator.cork@gaa.ie at least five days in advance of the fixture. No postponements shall be granted thereafter, except in exceptional circumstances.
If a fixture is to be the following criteria must be met:
- Both clubs must email cork@gaa.ie referencing the fixture involved, both outlining the same reason for change of fixture and both listing the same new agreed re-fixture date / time.
- The re-fixture date must be on / before the same date in the following month and on / before the group stage deadline. For example, a match postponed on March 15th must be re-fixed to be played on a date on or before April 15th before postponement is granted.
- If the request is approved by CCC, the new date / time becomes a ratified fixture, and the fixture list will be updated accordingly.
- All fixtures are subject to a limit of two postponements. On the third postponement, the fixture become null and void or a walkover is granted.
- If two clubs fail to agree on either postponement or a re-fixture date, the fixture stands. A club may then unilaterally request a change of fixture from the CCC for exceptional reasons, stating clearly that agreement between the clubs does not apply.
Unfulfilled Fixtures / Walkovers
- A fine of €100 per team will apply for each unfulfilled fixture, unless a walkover is given by one of the teams. Walkovers will be awarded automatically where one of the teams involved fails to fulfil or indicates their intention not to fulfil a fixture without the joint submission of an agreed re-fixture date. A fine of €200 will apply to the relevant team in each case. Disputes in relation to the non-fulfilment of a fixture will be referred to the CCC.
- If a club is disqualified or retires during the course of the league, its played games shall stand and its unplayed games awarded to the opposing teams. A fine of €200 per game will apply.
- Where clubs in the same league group are due to meet in championship later in the same year, this will not merit postponement or cancellation.
(5) Substitutions
Up to nine (9) substitutions shall be permitted in the playing of normal time in all games in the County Leagues and Secondary Competitions under the jurisdiction of Coiste Chontae Chorcaí. Rule 2.4, Rules of Specification, Official Guide, Part 2 sections (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) shall not be affected by this deviation. A maximum of three substitutes remains for extra-time in play-offs, where played.
(6) Match results by text
The Referee is responsible for returning all match results and will receive a text message prior to the commencement of the game.
(7) League Placings
The following Regulations shall apply as per Rul3 6.21 of the Official Guide:
(a) League results shall be credited as follows: 2 points for a win, and one for a draw.
(b) If a Team is Disqualified or Retires during the course of the League Stage, its played Games shall stand and its unplayed Games shall be awarded to the Opposing Teams.
(c) Except where provided for otherwise in these Rules, in County Bye-Law or in Competition Regulation, when Teams finish with equal points for Qualification for the Concluding Stages, or for Promotion or Relegation, the tie shall be decided by the following means and in the order specified:
(i) Where two Teams only are involved – the outcome of the meeting of the two Teams in the previous game in the Competition;
(ii) Scoring Difference (subtract total Scores Against from total Scores For);
(iii) Highest Total Score For;
(iv) A Play-Off.
Exceptions to (c):
(1) In relation to means (ii) and (iii) above, if the accumulated scores of a team, so involved, are affected by a disqualification, loss of game on a proven objection, retirement or walk over, the tie shall be decided by a Play-Off
(8) League Play-offs 2022
In each Division, the top team will play the second placed team in the corresponding group. The top team in Group 1A for example will play the second placed team in Group 1B and vice versa, with the exception of Division 3 in football where the best 2nd placed team will join the three group winners at the semi-final stage with repeat pairings to be avoided.
In each case the promoted and relegated teams will replace their relevant counterpart. Both league finalists in Group 2 will be promoted in place of the bottom team in both Division 1A and 1B. Both league finalists in Group 3 will be promoted in place of the bottom teams in Groups 2A and 2B.
(9) Promotion / Relegation 2022
In each case the promoted and relegated teams will replace their relevant counterpart. Both league finalists in Division 2 will be promoted in place of the bottom team in both Group 1A and 1B. Both league finalists in Division 3 will be promoted in place of the bottom team in both Group 2A and 2B.
(10) League Prizes 2022
In each Division the prize fund will be as follows: Division Winners €1,000, Runners-up €500, Semi-finalists €250 each.
League Regulations 2022
County League Formats and Regulations 2022 & 2023
A restructuring of the County Leagues was planned at the end of 2020 to align the league programme more appropriately with the new championship programme. With all teams now guaranteed at least three championship games, it was felt that a lesser number of league games would be appropriate. Also, the split season means a tighter timeframe and weekends could not be wasted with uneven groups. A target of ten teams per division and nine games per team was established.
(Note: It is expected that Macroom GAA Club will again organise the Tom Creedon Cup on hurling league weekends, with a hurling equivalent such as the Liam Breathnach Cup, for example, being organised on football league weekends if there is sufficient demand from clubs for extra games.)
Regional Junior Leagues will be introduced in 2023.
The league structure shown below is proposed. In order to restructure the leagues on a fair basis, the Divisions will be split into Groups 1A & 1B, 2A & 2B, 3A & 3B (and 3C football) for 2022. Teams are allocated based primarily on their finishing league position in 2019 and secondly on their championship status for 2022. Groups 1A and 1B are of the same standard, for example, and are evenly graded.
In 2023, 5 Divisions of ten teams and 1 Division of 12 teams will be in place in both Hurling and Football, based on finishing positions at end 2022.
Hurling 2023 – 62 teams
Division 1 Top 5 Teams from 1A and Top 5 Teams from 1B
Division 2 Bottom 5 Teams from 1A and Bottom 5 Teams from 1B
Division 3 Top 5 Teams from 2A and Top 5 Teams from 2B
Division 4 Bottom 4 Teams from 2A, Bottom 5 Teams from 2B, and Top Team from Div 3.
Division 5 Remaining Top 3 Teams from 3A, Top 3 Teams from 3B, Top 3 Teams from 3C and two best 4th placed team across the three Groups
Division 6 The remaining 4th placed team, the 5th, 6th, 7th placed teams from each of the three Groups, 1 remaining 8th placed teams and the 2022 Junior A County Championship winner (12 teams in total). The other 8th placed team will be regraded to Divisional / Regional leagues for 2023.
Football 2023 – 62 teams for 2022
Division1 Top 5 Teams from 1A and Top 5 Teams from 1B
Division 2 Bottom 5 Teams from 1A and Bottom 5 Teams from 1B
Division 3 Top 5 Teams from 2A and Top 5 Teams from 2B
Division 4 Bottom 5 Teams from 2A and Bottom 5 Teams from 2B
Division 5 Top 5 Teams from 3A and Top 5 Teams from 3B
Division 6 The remaining 4 teams in 3A and 3B, with the 8 Junior A Divisional Championship winners for 2022 (12 teams in total).
In each case, the promoted and relegated teams will replace their relevant counterpart. Both league finalists in Division 2 will be promoted in place of the bottom team in both Group 1A and 1B. Both league finalists in Division 3 will be promoted in place of the bottom team in both Group 2A and 2B.
League Play-offs 2022
In Divisions 1 and 2, the top team will play the second placed team in the corresponding group. For example, the top team in Group 1A will have home advantage versus the second placed team in Group 1B and vice versa.
In Division 3 hurling, the top two teams in each group will progress to the quarter-finals. The top two teams will get a bye to the semi-finals, the higher ranked teams always having home advantage until the final.
In Division 3 football, the top four teams in each group will qualify for league quarter-finals with 1 v 4 etc, the top two ranked teams having home advantage. This will help to compensate for the reduced number of games in these groups.
All league finals will be played at neutral venues.
In all cases the promoted and relegated teams will replace their relevant counterpart. Both league finalists in Group 2 will be promoted in place of the bottom team in both Division 1A and 1B. Both league finalists in Group 3 will be promoted in place of the bottom teams in Groups 2A and 2B.
Teams that are relegated in championships shall retain their league status as both competitions are decoupled. Teams relegated to Junior A championships will retain their position in the County Senior and Intermediate Leagues. Once County or regional Junior leagues are in place, relegation and promotion will follow.
(1) Correspondence
All correspondence in relation to fixtures is to be submitted from the Club Secretary’s official email to the County Secretary’s official email administrator.cork@gaa.ie
(2) Completion Dates
The completion date for the group stage is June 26th for Football and July 2nd for Hurling. League play-offs will take place on the earliest possible date thereafter.
(3) Venue
The first named team has home venue, but if this venue is not available, the game will be played at the opponent’s venue or at neutral venue. The national flag is to be flown for all league games and pitches are to be properly lined and flagged.
(3) Referee
Where the appointed referee fails to attend, agreement must be reached between the two clubs on a substitute referee by either tossing or by agreement. Failure to comply will result in forfeiture of the league points by the club or clubs failing to agree. In the event of a referee being agreed by both clubs it is the responsibility of the club of the referee to ensure that the official report of the game is submitted within three days of the game. If the agreed referee is not a member of either participating club, the responsibility for ensuring the report is submitted shall rest with the home club.
(4) Fixtures
All fixtures listed at the start of the year are thereby ratified for the dates / times outlined.
Request for Postponement / Change
Any request for changes to the listed time and / or date must be sent from the club secretary’s official email to the county secretary’s official email administrator.cork@gaa.ie at least five days in advance of the fixture. No postponements shall be granted thereafter, except in exceptional circumstances.
If a fixture is to be the following criteria must be met:
Unfulfilled Fixtures / Walkovers
(5) Substitutions
Up to nine (9) substitutions shall be permitted in the playing of normal time in all games in the County Leagues and Secondary Competitions under the jurisdiction of Coiste Chontae Chorcaí. Rule 2.4, Rules of Specification, Official Guide, Part 2 sections (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) shall not be affected by this deviation. A maximum of three substitutes remains for extra-time in play-offs, where played.
(6) Match results by text
The Referee is responsible for returning all match results and will receive a text message prior to the commencement of the game.
(7) League Placings
The following Regulations shall apply as per Rul3 6.21 of the Official Guide:
(a) League results shall be credited as follows: 2 points for a win, and one for a draw.
(b) If a Team is Disqualified or Retires during the course of the League Stage, its played Games shall stand and its unplayed Games shall be awarded to the Opposing Teams.
(c) Except where provided for otherwise in these Rules, in County Bye-Law or in Competition Regulation, when Teams finish with equal points for Qualification for the Concluding Stages, or for Promotion or Relegation, the tie shall be decided by the following means and in the order specified:
(i) Where two Teams only are involved – the outcome of the meeting of the two Teams in the previous game in the Competition;
(ii) Scoring Difference (subtract total Scores Against from total Scores For);
(iii) Highest Total Score For;
(iv) A Play-Off.
Exceptions to (c):
(1) In relation to means (ii) and (iii) above, if the accumulated scores of a team, so involved, are affected by a disqualification, loss of game on a proven objection, retirement or walk over, the tie shall be decided by a Play-Off
(8) League Play-offs 2022
In each Division, the top team will play the second placed team in the corresponding group. The top team in Group 1A for example will play the second placed team in Group 1B and vice versa, with the exception of Division 3 in football where the best 2nd placed team will join the three group winners at the semi-final stage with repeat pairings to be avoided.
In each case the promoted and relegated teams will replace their relevant counterpart. Both league finalists in Group 2 will be promoted in place of the bottom team in both Division 1A and 1B. Both league finalists in Group 3 will be promoted in place of the bottom teams in Groups 2A and 2B.
(9) Promotion / Relegation 2022
In each case the promoted and relegated teams will replace their relevant counterpart. Both league finalists in Division 2 will be promoted in place of the bottom team in both Group 1A and 1B. Both league finalists in Division 3 will be promoted in place of the bottom team in both Group 2A and 2B.
(10) League Prizes 2022
In each Division the prize fund will be as follows: Division Winners €1,000, Runners-up €500, Semi-finalists €250 each.