Blow to hurlers

As a hurling fan, I find the group qualifier system in in the Leinster Hurling Championship amazing.

Games started in late April with little coverage, and after four games for the five sides, Laois and Antrim qualified to meet Galway and Wexford.

This means for Westmeath, London, and Carlow the season ends, before the end of May, weeks before some counties start their championship campaign. With club hurling having a great season in Carlow, and Mount Leinster Rangers’ historic appearance in the club hurling final, surely counties not hurling from late May to late February cannot improve standards.