Midlands 103

Search

Listen Live

On Air Now

Midnight - 2:00am

Midlands Today - Repeat

Fleetwood Mac

Don't Stop

Athlone Town To Compete In Nine Team First Division In 2022 AS FAI Confirm Format

Friday, 17 December 2021 17:52

It'll be reviewed in future for 2023.

The Board of the Football Association of Ireland has approved a nine-team format for the 2022 SSE Airtricity First Division season with four rounds of games scheduled to begin on February 18th.

The decision was taken in light of the circumstances presented by the very recent merger of Bray Wanderers and Cabinteely and their new application for a First Division licence for 2022.

The nine-team format will see the SSE Airtricity First Division champions promoted automatically to the Premier Division with the sides finishing in second, third, fourth and fifth spots contesting a promotion/relegation play-off series alongside the team that finishes ninth in the Premier.

The First Division teams finishing second and fifth and the teams in third and fourth place will play each other in a two-legged play-off with the winners then contesting a one-legged final. The winner of this tie will then play the team that finishes ninth in the Premier Division to secure the final top flight spot for the 2023 season.

Fixtures for the nine-team SSE Airtricity First Division season will be released on Monday along with the fixture list for the 2022 SSE Airtricity Premier Division. Plans for the 2023 First Division will be evaluated during the course of next season.

More from Sports

James Gormley Named On Irish Squad For FIBA EuroBasket Qualifiers

Ireland will take on Azerbaijan and Luxembourg over the next week.
Portlaoise Panthers Suffer Tough Defeat In Super League

Panthers remain on six points in the league standings.
CCFL: St Peter's Extend Their Advantage At Top Of Premier Division

Mullingar Athletic and Monksland United played out a seven goal thriller.
NFL: Relegation Firmly On The Cards For Offaly

The Faithful have lost all four of their games in Division Two.
Laois "Devastated" By Defeat Despite Delivering "Manliness" - Justin McNulty

The O'Moore County surrendered a late lead to fall against Clare on Sunday.
Westmeath Ladies Bag First Win Of League Season

Laois fell to defeat in Division Three, while Offaly's game was called off.
Big Camogie Wins for Westmeath and Laois Over The Weekend

Both counties progress to round three of the league.
Fitzgerald "Relieved" After Squeaking Past Kerry

Laois ran out one point winners against the Kingdom on Saturday.
NHL: Galway Prove Too Strong For Offaly

The result leaves Offaly bottom of the division after four games.
Former Laois And Offaly GAA Manager Honoured By An Garda Síochána

Liam Kearns died from a heart attack in March 2023.
Athlone Town Make It Two Wins From Two In First Division

Victory leaves Town second in the league standings.
Lee Fitzpatrick Scores Try For Ireland U20s In England

Rob Carney from Offaly also impressed.
NFL: Westmeath Move Closer To Promotion

Mark McHugh's side have won three out of four games.
Shane Lowry Finishes Strong In California

Jacob Bridgeman was the overall winner.
Mixed Weekend For Midlands Sides In Both Codes

Westmeath were the only midlands side to win games in hurling and football.
Westmeath Drifter Sets Sights On Success In 2026

Ryan Nally is looking to progress in the world of Drifting this year.
Offaly’s Alex Dunne Joins Alpine’s Young Driver Programme

The 20 year old wore Alpine colours during Formula 2 practice earlier this week.
NHL: Laois And Kerry Clash In Division Two

Both sides are still unbeaten.
Shane Lowry Cards Opening Round 73 At Genesis Invitational

Rory McIlroy is one shot off the lead.
Athlone Town Aiming For Back To Back League Wins

Town were 2-1 winners the first day out against Finn Harps.

Download Our App

Never miss a moment from Midlands 103