GAA president John Horan has a clear preference for one of the two proposals put forward in relation to a second-tier football championship. 

The first option put to counties competing in Divisions 3 and 4 of the Allianz League at a meeting a fortnight ago was a competition that begins after counties exit their provincial championship, while the second proposal was to allow counties to take part in the early rounds of the All-Ireland qualifiers before entering a Tier 2 competition.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Irish Sun, Horan said he favoured the first option.

"You play in your provincial championships and if you don't get to the provincial final, then you go into the second-tier competition straight away," he said.

"There would be a maximum of four rounds in that competition. And if you win it, then you get automatic qualification into the qualifiers the next year, regardless of whether you are Division 3 or 4. 

"That proposal would be the least damaging to club competitions. For me, it (the other option) drags it out for far too long." 

The preferred option will be brought to a Special Congress in the autumn which, if passed, would pave the way for a tiered championship structure next year.

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