Allen fears for provincial finals

JOHN ALLEN believes the Munster and Leinster hurling championships are in serious danger of extinction due to the All-Ireland championship system introduced last year.

Prior to last season, the winners of both provincial championships were rewarded with advancement directly through to the All-Ireland semi-final.

As of last year however, all four finalists now proceed to the last eight of the national competition regardless of the result in their domestic deciders.

The argument against that format at the time of its introduction was that it seriously undermined the Munster and Leinster competitions as it removed any concrete reward for the two sides that won both championships.

With the pool of genuine All-Ireland contenders in hurling, the reality of the championship under the new system means that the All-Ireland quarter-finals are now in effect the first knockout round of the entire championship.

"I think the next few years could spell the death knell of the Munster and Leinster championships," said Allen yesterday.

"If I had one or two players injured and borderline for a Munster final, I wouldn't be pushing them to be ready because it's not knockout. You would still be in an All-Ireland quarter-final.

"If managers start holding back players for a Munster or Leinster final, that will have a knock-on effect on crowds. I can appreciate that the Hurling Development Committee are doing their best to get more quality games and last year's system is good.

"But I'm not sure where it will leave the provincial championships."

The strength of the individual councils and the sheer popularity of the Munster final in particular remain the best bargaining tools in the battle to retain the provincial championships but the likelihood is that we have not seen an end to the tinkering with the structure of the All-Ireland.

Though the dilution in the importance of the Munster and Leinster championships is unwanted, the advent of the qualifiers and the provision of more games for Galway is to be welcomed admitted Allen.

"I would still like some sort of a bonus for the winners of Munster and Leinster but I appreciate that the system did work well last year. The system certainly had an effect for Galway. Unlike other years, Galway had a number of games under their belt by the time they got to the semi-final stage and it stood to them."

Meanwhile, floodlit games may not necessarily be the best way for the GAA to organise their League campaigns in future years.

President Sean Kelly favours an extension of the programme but All-Ireland manager Mickey Harte remains to be convinced of their merit.

With Mr Kelly pointing out at yesterday's League launch that floodlights should be in place in a further three grounds by the end of the year, Dublin manager Paul Caffrey said the real benefit was 'freeing up' players to be with their families on Sundays. And they were 'a big plus' for supporters.

However Harte advised caution, saying that while he felt it was a good idea 'to have the option,' at the same time they should be careful. "What would mess things up would be if players were expected to play with their clubs the following day!" While sharing this reservation, hurling manager John Allen remarked that Cork had played a few League games under lights and they had been 'a big success.'

"As a Friday night or Saturday night spectacle it's great. Basically, I would be in favour as long as it's managed properly."

Of the four managers who attended yesterday's launch, Babs Keating was the least enthusiastic.

"Of the floodlit fields that I've been associated with and that includes Parnell Park there are areas that are difficult," he said, adding that such games posed greater risks of injury.

On the issue of the Leagues being organised in the calendar year, there was unanimous agreement that this was much more suitable for players and the best way to promote the competitions.

Allied to the success of the Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard competitions, the President said that the awarding of trophies for the winners of the various divisions in both League competitions had boosted interest among players. "There is much more hope among all counties because they see that success is attainable," he said.

Mr Kelly said that the calendar year was undoubtedly 'a winner' and that it would be disastrous to go back to a winter start to the Leagues.

"The New Year brings new life and new hope. We have a formula now and let's stick with it."