Lower tier counties let down by lack of TV coverage

THE Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Meagher Cups were played in Croke Park on Saturday. It was a good occasion with high scoring games and a rare opportunity for many of those players to play at GAA headquarters.

But it’s not quite what was agreed when these competitions were introduced. The agreement then was that both the Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard cups would be played before an All-Ireland semi-final and televised live. This happened for the first couple of years but there has been a lot of chopping and changing in the arrangements since.

Playing in such a stadium, before TV cameras gave new motivation and optimism to the second and third tier counties. It has played a big part in raising the profile of the game in these areas and captured the imaginations of young hurlers in such counties.

The pity is that, playing all three finals on a Saturday in Croke Park, means that there is no crowd, no live TV and limited media interest. Quite simply there is only so much space and if there are clashes, the high profile games will always win out as was the case at the weekend.

But, the other side of the coin is that by having the finals in the middle of July rather than in the middle of August, the club championships in these counties can get underway a month earlier. Also by finishing in July, the cost of training and preparing teams is reduced accordingly. I can understand those considerations but I feel that more must be done to give the finals a higher profile. At the very least, some tweaking and arm twisting needs to be undertaken to have these games broadcast live. TV coverage of these games being played in Croke Park was an essential element of the thinking behind the competitions and that needs to be done again.

As a result of a motion passed at last April’s Congress, Carlow will now play in the Liam MacCarthy Cup next year because of their four points win over Down last Saturday. This is a great boost to one of Ireland’s smallest counties who have worked so hard to improve their lot. Joining the elite in the top flight is something Carlow will relish and no doubt, prepare well for. But who is going to take the drop – Wexford? Offaly? Antrim or Clare?

One county is supposed to drop down following a relegation play-off – but will it happen?

I expect that there will be many twists to that tale before the All-Ireland SHC campaign of 2010 gets underway and don’t be surprised if Central Council is petitioned to overturn this arrangement for the sake of the future of hurling in whatever county is due to make the dreaded drop

If the county due to make the drop shed enough tears and pull at the heart-strings of the members of Central Council, you can expect another great u-turn.