llogical system in Hurling Qualifiers is completely baffling

Dear Sir,

Now they must in fact play a third round in the Qualifiers, against the losers of the Ulster Final, before getting the chance to play Limerick!

Kerry lost to Waterford in the Munster quarter-final. Tipperary also lost in the Munster quarter-final, to Clare, yet they are entitled to go straight into the First Round of the Qualifiers.

While not attempting to say that Kerry are Tipperary’s equals, this is still unfair.

What if Kerry had beaten Waterford, as they did in 1993?

Would Waterford, reigning Munster champions, then have had to suffer the ignominy of playing two Leinster minnows before trying to get their campaign back on track?

This system is totally illogical. The Provincial Championships should be run independently in April and May, with the winners and runners-up being seeded in a World Cup-style All-Ireland Championship.

This would guarantee all counties three games, and a ‘plate’ competition could possibly be introduced for the weaker counties that fail to qualify from their groups.

Denis Hurley,

Kilbrittain,

Co Cork.