Longford centre back Mickey Quinn has backed the idea of a second tier championship, saying it would provide from lower tier counties with more games in summertime.
The idea has previously been coolly received by players from counties outside the top strata, with many anxious about the psychological consequences of being formally excluded from the Sam Maguire race at the outset.
But the idea has picked up more and more adherents in recent seasons, thanks to the increasing popularity of the National League, itself a graded competition, and the widening gulf between the elite and rest in the All-Ireland senior championship.
In Quinn's own province, Dublin have now won 13 of 14 Leinster championships, with their average winning margin hitting 20 points this year.
Speaking on RTÉ's Sunday Sport, Quinn said that many counties and players were wary of radical change but that he was ready to embrace a secondary competition.
"Counties and players are afraid of change. The most disappointing thing for ourselves was three championship games this year, same last year. There's no continuity from year to year. You can't see progression from two or three games.
"You want to be playing more games. And if that means playing in a second tier competition where you can actually say 'yes, we've improved, we've won that second tier competition, now we're up and challenging in that top tier.'
"That's why there's so much emphasis on the league. If you're promoted in the league, you're setting yourself up for the next year, you're creating momentum for the championship and that's what you want.
"I'd be in favour of a second tier championship. I don't think I'll see it in my time. Personally, it's more games, I want to play more games. Tyrone had ten games, Dublin had eight. I had three games.
"They're as good a players in the top tiers right down to the bottom."
