FBD Connacht League likely to return in January
Diarmuid Murtagh shows the Paddy Francis Dwyer Cup to young supporters after captaining Roscommon to the FBD Connacht League in January 2024. Picture: INPHO/Evan Logan
Roscommon are set to be given the chance to defend their FBD Connacht League title, two years after they won the Paddy Francis Dwyer Cup.
Following a meeting of Central Council in Croke Park this weekend, there is an expectation that pre-season competitions in all four provinces could be given the green light for a return next January.
Last year, despite the introduction of a raft of new rules, pre-season competitions were suspended as a result of GPA concerns over player welfare.
Consequently, Connacht GAA claimed they missed out on €100,000 in gate receipts without the FBD Connacht League.
If the FBD League does return, it is understood that the matches won’t be played in the Connacht GAA Air Dome at its centre of excellence in Bekan.
The popular facility, which was destroyed by Storm Éowyn in January, is currently being reconstructed but it won’t be available for use until next March at the earliest, meaning that FBD League matches in 2026 would be played on outdoor pitches.
Roscommon won the Paddy Francis Dwyer Cup in January 2024, beating Galway in the final.
Ahead of a challenging Division One League campaign, the return of pre-season competitions would give new Roscommon senior football manager, Mark Dowd, an opportunity to assess the strength-in-depth of his new panel, which he will be putting together over the coming months.
