Pat Spillane makes bold claim that county should be removed from Tailteann Cup

Controversial from the legend!

The second-tier competition provides an opportunity for weaker teams, who have little chance of going far in the All-Ireland, to win some silverware.

However, Division 4 sides have not enjoyed much success in the tournament, with Westmeath, Meath, Down and Kildare the four title winners so far.

Spillane has argued that certain 'stronger' counties should be excluded from the Cup.

He said: "A lot of the weaker counties see a better chance of winning a game or two or having a competitive game in the Tailteann Cup than the provincials.

"If Westmeath get beaten next Sunday, which they probably will by Meath even though I think it will be a close game, they will be in the Tailteann Cup.

"Holy god almighty. Westmeath have already won the Tailteann Cup, they should not be in the Tailteann Cup.

"Westmeath are being rewarded for underperforming, not being a weaker county...

"You expand the Sam Maguire. The Sam Maguire counties should be the first two divisions and the promoted teams from Division 3.

"Tailteann Cup is for weaker counties. Who are the weaker counties? It should be Division 4 plus New York and the Division 3 counties, excluding the two that got promoted, not the two that came down from Division 2 either.

"That Tailteann Cup is for weaker counties, it's not for underperforming counties."