Future of hurling depends on respect for minnows
En route I was joined by two famous Limerick sons, Rory Kiely and Mick McDonald. From Heuston Station we made our way to the Citywest for Congress.
This Special Congress was always going to be a damp squib. There was little or no debate and it was all over in about 45 minutes. In truth, there wasn’t much to debate. Special Congress arose because of the decision of the DRA to declare last year’s decision regarding the constitution of the Liam MacCarthy Cup for 2010 out of order. Nobody objected to what Special Congress was trying to do – namely allow Carlow play in the Liam MacCarthy Cup but also allow all teams that played in it this year to do so again next year. In other words the postponed relegation final between Antrim and Wexford need not be played and both counties could play in the Liam MacCarthy next year. All very fine then, everybody happy, show of hands, motion passed.
There was only one snag. If Carlow were promoted from the Christy Ring (Tier II), then, Meath the winners of Tier III had to be promoted to Tier II and Tyrone, winners of Tier IV, had to be promoted to tier III – “to comply with the numerical strength specific in current rule”.
All logical, no problem. But if there was no relegation from the Liam MacCarthy, then there wasn’t going to be any relegation from Tier II and Tier III as well, and strangely, it was here we hit a snag. Monaghan, who have only three hurling clubs played in Tier III last year. They asked to be relegated to tier IV as they were hammered in every game. However, their request was rejected. If Monaghan’s request was accepted it would mean that nine teams could be playing in Tier IV (Lory Meagher Cup) and only seven in the Nicky Rackard Cup, instead of two eights. Would that have made a whole pile of difference? One would imagine not but, regardless, their request was refused to ensure that eight teams took part in Tiers II, III, and IV. So now the Monaghan manager will have to convince the best players from their three clubs to train hard for the county team ‘happy’ in the knowledge that drubbing after drubbing awaits them.
It spells out one of the great dilemmas of hurling: the disparity of standards between counties, even at the lower tiers.
Regardless, we now have our championship format for next year – but for next year only. Over the next few months there is going to be a “full consultative process” before another motion comes before Annual Congress in Down next April to plan the future of all these hurling tiers.
The views of all counties, strong and weak, will have to be heard and greater thought will have to go into the relegation/promotion impact of any proposed changes. The needs of Monaghan must be given the same respect and attention as the needs of Antrim and Wexford. The balance of competition within each tier will have to take precedence over considerations such as numerical strength. Real hurling strength and ability to compete must be the priority.
