JOHN DELANEY HAS backed plans from the Mayo Football League to have a representative team competing in the League of Ireland by 2020.
The FAI chief executive was present at the launch of the Mayo Football League Strategic Plan 2016-2020 in Castlebar last Saturday and, according to the Mayo News, praised the league as “very progressive” and “one of the most professional leagues in the country”.
“I look forward to working with you to ensure that you reach all these objectives between now and 2020,” the FAI CEO said.
The Strategic Plan includes aims to have a Mayo representative team competing in the National Under-17 league in 2017 and then having a team compete in the National U-19 league come 2019.
In addition, Mayo league bosses are hopeful of staging at least two international games at Castlebar’s Milebush Park by 2020, as well as hosting a tournament involving the Mayo League and three League of Ireland clubs by 2017.
“What’s here are just words on paper,” said Padraig McHale, chairman of the Mayo League.
“It’s the actions that go with them for the next five years that will make them a reality, and will improve the game for ourselves, the people who play it, the people who watch it, and the people who follow it.”
