Kelly to explore hurlers' move to weaker counties

GAA President Sean Kelly said yesterday he would not rule out the possibility of hurlers switching from stronger to weaker counties in an effort to raise the overall standards of the game.

Speaking at the launch of the new Tier Two and Tier Three hurling championships at Croke Park, Kelly said the prospect of players no longer involved with their own county lining out for an emerging side should be seriously examined.

If the idea gets the green light, the likelihood is that the number of such 'outsiders' would be limited to one or two. A committee for the weaker counties, set up by Kelly, meets again in the new year and the president said yesterday that he was slightly surprised such an idea had not already been discussed.