Cricket Ireland met yesterday to discuss radical plans to transform the country’s leading club competition.

Proposals are on the table to expand the Irish Cup to ensure all clubs play at least three matches from next year.

The idea is to divide 32 clubs into eight groups of four in a first-round group stage, with each club playing three matches.

The side finishing first in each group will advance to the quarter-finals.

The group stage will be seeded with the top-ranked clubs expected to have two homes matches.

It is believed the proposals have already found favour in Leinster and discussions in both the NCU and North West have been positive.

However, the expanded competition, and increased fixture commitments for all clubs, could well have implications for the Ulster Cup.

It is understood there is a feeling among officials in the North West that one competition will have to go if the Irish Cup is expanded.

However, discussions have taken place at the top level of the NCU and North West to re-model the Ulster Cup as a Twenty20 tournament.