Hurling format the key debate

IN the absence of any motions on Rule 42, governing the use of Croke Park for other sports, the big issue facing delegates at this week’s annual GAA Congress in Killarney relates to the format of the All-Ireland hurling championship over the next two seasons and possibly beyond.

Additionally, they will be asked to adopt the proposals of the Task Force committee, which incorporate Association President Sean Kelly's vision for an enhanced role for weaker counties in the football championship. However, it's accepted that the key debate will centre on whether to adopt the current hurling system in rule or to permit a further two years experimentation.

This would involve the introduction of a new format, as proposed by the Hurling Development Committee - chaired by Pat Dunny from Kildare and featuring former managers Ger Loughnane, Liam Griffin, Cyril Farrell and Nicky English among others.

In brief, it revolves around a three-tier championship - with the top twelve counties (based on participation in Division One of this year's Allianz League) participating in the first tier. The second and third tiers would be similarly organised and the recommendation is that new trophies named after former greats Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard or Mick Mackey would be presented to the winners.

The 12 teams taking part in the premier championship would consist of five each from Munster and Leinster, Galway and the Ulster winners - with the Munster, Leinster and Ulster championships being continued in their current knock-out format. The qualifier section would involve eight teams, to be divided into two groups, with each playing three games. The top four would advance to the All-Ireland quarter-finals - against the four finalists from Munster and Leinster.

Liam Griffin is 'very hopeful' that their proposals will be accepted, but admits to being worried that they may not be debated.

That will be contingent on Congress agreeing (by a two-thirds majority) to rescind the motion passed last year which accepted the championship formats - thereby ruling out any further experimentation. Without this change, the proposals would be dead in the water.

"It's not a panacea for all the ills of hurling, but it would give teams realistic targets to counties in the 'middle ground.' These are the counties on the periphery of the main counties and they have got to work hard on their game once this comes in. If they do, then they will see better rewards than they ever have in the past,'' he comments.

Kilkenny are known to be opposed and Griffin says that while he appreciates that they might be 'slighted' (if Leinster champions) to miss out on an All-Ireland semi-final place, he points out that Laois footballers had to fight much harder last year to gain a quarter-final place. In contrast, Kilkenny won two games by a combined margin of 26 points and qualified for an All-Ireland semi-final.

"What it would do for hurling is it would give the eight best teams in the country an extra round of quality fixtures, the same as football,'' he adds.

"Cork feel that it would impinge on the club scene, but it would be no different to last year when they played a replay in the All-Ireland semi-final. They still managed to finish their own championship in time and a Cork team was able to win the All-Ireland club title. It shows that there is a correlation between success at club and county level.''

Griffin says he doesn't expect to be at Congress - the HDC proposals will be put by Pat Dunny, as Chairman - and dismisses speculation that his presence, or that of Ger Loughnane, could have a 'negative influence' on the voting. "I don't know if that is true or not, but if I thought I would be a negative influence I would not be there."