The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) has called on GAA's Central Council to postpone Saturday’s planned vote on Tier Two football championship proposals to allow the Fixtures Task Force the time it needs to develop recommendations.
GAA President John Horan announced earlier this summer that two proposals regarding football structures would be put forward to Central Council.
A GAA spokesperson said that it would then decide which proposal, or potentially both, would be then taken to Special Congress, adding there was also the possibility that neither would make it past Central Council.
One proposal would see all Division 3 and 4 teams eliminated before their provincial final play off in a straight knock-out competition, the other would give each of these teams at least two games in the second tier.
The GPA has already given its backing to a review of football structures, but with 60% of their players indicating that they did want a second tier in football when polled in a recent survey, it has counselled caution and expressed concern about the pace that the process is proceeding at.
"The GPA is urging GAA Central Council to postpone Saturday's planned vote on Tier Two football championship proposals to allow the Fixtures Task Force the time it needs to develop recommendations, which will benefit all units of the association," a statement today read.
The players’ body says it is "encouraged" by the work of the Fixtures Task Force to date but says more time is needed to make a more informed decision.
"Time is needed to listen to the views of players and other GAA stakeholders, before putting the question to a 'yes’ or 'no’ vote and potentially a vote on the defined structure at tomorrow’s Central Council.
"The GPA has formally outlined these concerns on several occasions in recent days, weeks and months through discussions at management level and are now calling on Central Council to consider the views of GPA members to allow the Fixtures Taskforce the necessary time it needs to develop proposals in advance of Congress 2020."
Horan is adamant there is greater appetite for two senior football championships in 2020.
"Are we going to get a second tier in football?" asked Horan previously.
"It’s something there has been huge resistance to within this organisation. We are going to Central Council and we’ll see what comes out of that."