Cooney says Galway and Antrim here to stay

GALWAY and Antrim will remain in the Leinster Hurling Championship once their three-year trial comes to a close in 2011, according to GAA president Christy Cooney.

Though Antrim were knocked out of the provincial competition after one game last season, Galway’s thrilling semi-final against Kilkenny was enough to win most people over to the newly-expanded format.

Almost 80% of delegates at Special Congress in 2008 had voted in favour of the two counties being assimilated into the provincial competition on a temporary basis.