Talks continue over summer soccer issues in Kilkenny

At the back end of 2024 a vote was narrowly passed to bring a switch to calendar-year football for all levels of the game.

The tightness of the final vote where 74 voted in favour of a change and 56 against suggests that there wasn’t wholesale agreement and it’s a decision that continues to stir debate around the country.

Currently, over 65% of Ireland’s 72 leagues operate on a winter season, but these leagues will now transition on a phased basis over the next four years. The change is hoped to bring numerous benefits, including improved pitch conditions, fewer fixture disruptions due to weather and better opportunities for player development.

The end result meant from 2026 onwards, five to 12-year-olds will operate on that schedule, with FAI national competitions also being run across the same year, 13 to 16-year-olds would switch to that schedule from 2027 with all remaining youth and adult leagues making the move in 2028.

Kilkenny are one of the leagues that runs a winter football season from September to May and they were one of a number of counties to vote against the change.

Near neighbours Carlow were the biggest voices against the decision with all clubs in the county opposed to a summer season of action.

“I was taken aback by the approval of this motion,” expressed Brian O’Reilly, secretary of the Carlow & District Football League.

“All 28 clubs in our league opposed it. This involves not just players but coaches and volunteers who are engaged in other sports.

“A significant portion of our coaches are involved in hurling, rugby, and other activities alongside soccer. This overlap could create insurmountable issues. Not to mention, summer is a prime time for clubs to host camps — a crucial revenue stream for many. What impact will this have on those initiatives?”

The Carlow League have now organised a meeting next month and invited representatives from all clubs in Kilkenny, Laois, Kildare, Wexford, Wicklow and Offaly to discuss the implications of the FAI General Assembly Resolution to remove the right of choice for clubs and leagues to play School Calendar-Winter Season and the options for all clubs going forward and what it means for all players, coaches and volunteers.

As it stands Ireland is the only country within UEFA that does not have an aligned schedule and football pyramid with different leagues operating different schedules depending on local preferences.