Offaly manager John Maughan has said that the north-south carve-up for the Tailteann Cup takes from the concept.
Fifteen participants, including Offaly, are already confirmed for the second tier competition and will be joined by Tipperary and Westmeath should they lose their respective provincial semi-finals this weekend.
The draw for the first staging of the Tailteann Cup, which will be played on a knockout basis, takes place on Monday morning and preliminary round ties, if necessary, will be played the following weekend.
