A new era in Irish sport was launched today when the Annual General Meeting of the National League formally brought an end to the administration system of a competition that was inaugurated in 1921.

The member clubs of the eircom National League had agreed in the course of the season just ended to merge with the Football Association of Ireland and formally handed control of the League to the National Governing Body at its Annual General Meeting in the Park Plaza Hotel, Tyrrelstown, Dublin.

The new FAI-run League will come into effect for the 2007 season and the first annual convention of the new FAI management was held immediately after the delegates had formally closed the final meeting of the old governing body.

Mr. Paddy McCaul, Chairman of the out-going body, described the decision to merge with the FAI as “the dawn of a new era”.

He said that huge strides had been made since a Steering Committee to oversee the process was set up in Stpember 2005.

“After 15 months and 19 meetings we have arrived at our destination” he said, “and everybody is looking forward to working with the FAI for the betterment of the League.

“Under the new structure” he added, “a whole new range of marketing, communications and technical developments will now be accessible to the 21 clubs who are represented here and who were unanimously in favour of the merger.”

“The National League will be top of the football pyramid in Ireland with links through the FAI to all of the football affiliates and it is right that we display a unity of purpose to continue to develop the game.”

Mr. McCaul made reference to several initiatives that will now benefit the League and said that Mr. Noel Mooney, National Promotions Officer with the FAI, will immediately apply himself to helping the 12 clubs elected to the Premier Division for 2007 in the appointment of Promotions Officers.

The FAI will grant aid the clubs in meeting the costs involved in employing Promotions Officers and Mr. McCaul added: “We have come a long way in the past 15 months and I am confident that if we can make the same progress in the coming years with the FAI that we are poised to make great strides.”

The President of the FAI, Mr. David Blood, said: “This is truly a historic day for the eircom League and this merger represents a new dawn for senior football in this country.

“I believe this merger will reap rich dividends for all of our clubs in the years ahead.”

The first annual Convention of the FAI National League was a brief affair. The only business transacted was the election of a Chairman and Vice Chairman.

Mr. Paddy McCaul, out-going Chairman of the eircom National League was elected Chairman of the new body without opposition. Mr. Eamon Naughton, Treasurer of the Eircom League, was elected Vice Chairman on a vote after Caroline Rhatigan had also been proposed.

The composition of the two divisions of the new FAI National League will be announced on Monday next.