The 2010 Bord Gáis Energy National Football Leagues have been launched with the competition expanded from three divisions to four.
A streamlined Division 1 has been reduced to eight teams from the 12 that competed in the top division in 2009. There will now be eight teams competing in all four divisions with the top four teams in each division qualifying for the knock-out stages.
Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Galway. Laois, Mayo, Monaghan and Tyrone will compete for the Division 1 title. Round 1 sees a replay of last year’s thrilling All-Ireland final between Cork and Dublin as the Rebelettes seek to get their league title defence off to a winning start.
The eight teams competing for promotion and the Division 2 title are Armagh, Clare, Donegal, Down, Kildare, Meath, Sligo and Tipperary. Last year’s Division 2 winners Down will be looking to push for promotion while the tie of the opening round is an all-Leinster affair between Kildare and Meath.
Division 3 will be contested by Cavan, Fermanagh, Longford, Roscommon, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow. Waterford are the sleeping giants in Division 3 having won the Division 1 title five times in the past while Fermanagh will want to build on their All-Ireland Intermediate final appearance.
Antrim, Carlow, Derry, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Limerick, Louth and Offaly make up the new re-constituted Division 4. Reigning Junior All-Ireland champions Antrim will face a tough task in securing promotion with Derry, Leitrim and Limerick all contesting for honours in recent years
