Four clubs have officially graduated to eircom League of Ireland status ahead of the new 'A Championship Division' due to get under way next year.

The quartet accepted to the A Championship are; Mervue United, Tullamore Town, Salthill Devon and Sporting Fingal.

The new league will be the third tier of the eircom League of Ireland where clubs will get the opportunity to win promotion to the First Division. League winners will earn €20,000.

"We are delighted to welcome four new clubs into the league," said Fran Gavin, Director of the eircom League of Ireland. "The A Championship was introduced to improve both player and club pathway into the eircom League of Ireland and we feel that it is a very important step forward for the league.

"There is now a clear route into the eircom League of Ireland for clubs with ambitions of playing in the league, something that did not exist before."

June 2008 is the start date for the new league, while a shield competition will begin in March.