League format shake-up in store for Mayo rugby clubs for next season

The rugby clubs in Mayo might see a change to the current league format.

At the Adults Competition Committee held by Connacht Rugby with the junior clubs in the region, different ideas were floated to reform the current league format.

The meeting was held in Claremorris on Wednesday evening (December 10) with representatives of 16 clubs from Connacht present.

Currently, the Junior 1A, B and C leagues consist of eight teams each. These play one round of matches, which means seven matches for each team. Then, promotions are decided by semi-finals and a final. Relegations follow a slightly similar pattern.

A considerable shake-up of these formats could be in store for the 2026/27 season.

One proposal would see the current number of teams per league retained but see the promotional semi-finals of the first to fourth teams ranked abolished. Teams would play home and away matches which would increase the matches played in regular season from seven to fourteen.

Another idea could be to create leagues of ten teams who play against each other once. At least increasing the league matches to nine guaranteed to nine.

This would be in line with the general consensus that clubs in the J1 leagues would like to play more matches.

Clubs want to improve the quality of rugby, which requires more competitive match practice.

It has to be said, that no decision was made at the above mentioned meeting. The proposals have been referred back to the clubs which will discuss them internally.

A further meeting of the Adults Competition Committee will be scheduled towards the end of January where clubs will be asked to vote for the proposals. 

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