Butler: we must adapt to progress

SLAUGHTER of the innocents. That’s how many people saw the early qualifier rounds of this year’s All-Ireland championship.

Galway against Antrim in round one, 6-21 to 1-10; Galway against Laois, Waterford against Antrim in round two, the two stronger sides with home advantage, David crushed by Goliath on the double. What’s to be done?

Paudie Butler is the National Hurling Co-ordinator, a straight-talking Tipperary-man with a deep and abiding love for the game and a member of the Hurling Development Committee, currently charged with coming up with new proposals to improve the current structures. Here’s his own vision for the future.