Minor Board reveals condensed fixture plan

THE Louth Minor Board has also revealed plans for a return to action in early August with combined League and Championship formats in the three main age groups U14, U16 and U18.

With dates, referees and pitches set to be at a premium when action resumes, the minor board has decided to omit the ‘odd’ age groups of U13, U15 and U17, while fixtures for the U-12 grade will be made at a later date if possible.

The Championships in the U-14, 16 and 18 grades will consist of ‘A’ and ‘B’ competitions with 12 teams in each.

The ‘A’ grades will consist of all eight Division 1 teams and the top 4 from Division 2, while the ‘B’ grade will see the bottom four in Division 2 join the eight teams from Division 3.

The teams will then be drawn into two groups of six, guaranteeing all teams five group games.

The top two teams in each group will advance to the Championship semi-finals, while the top team in each group will face each other in the Argus/Drogheda Independent League finals in October.

The revised format will allow the competitions to be run off at the same time as adult grades and it is planned to stage the U-16 championship final before the Anglo Printers

Junior Championship final on Saturday, September 19th.

The Minor decider will be held prior to the Anchor Tours SFC final on Sunday, September 27th.

It is planned to stage U16 group game son Monday nights, U14 on Wednesday evenings and minor matches on a Thursday evening.