No threat to provincial championships

THERE is no threat to the format of the provincial championships, GAA President Sean Kelly insisted yesterday.

He was reacting to the failure of Waterford and Wexford - the respective Leinster and Munster hurling champions - to advance beyond the All-Ireland semi-final stage.

Agreeing that the six-week gap had definitely been a factor in the defeats, Mr Kelly expressed confidence that the system to be introduced next year will address this particular problem.