Hurling counties unite in anger

A GROUP of annoyed hurling counties are urgently seeking a meeting with GAA President Christy Cooney and Director General Paraic Duffy about the new Allianz Hurling League structure.

At a meeting in Thurles’ Anner Hotel on Wednesday night, the counties expressed their vehement opposition to the 2012 set-up which was passed by Central Council last month. The gathering, called by Limerick, was attended by the chairmen and secretaries of the county as well as Cork, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford.

As they were holding a board meeting themselves, Galway forwarded their apologies for their absence but signalled their support in principle.

It’s unclear where Dublin stand on the matter. Manager Anthony Daly was in the National Hurling Development Work Group who proposed the alterations.

It is understood the ‘Anner Alliance’ also appointed a chairman as well as a secretary.

“Basically, we have issues with what has been done to the league,” explained one county official who was in attendance.

Another official revealed feelings are so strong about the changes to the league, which now sees Division 1A reduced to six teams, that some counties are prepared to withdraw from the competition next year. The prevailing sentiment is the change to the structure, which was endorsed 28 votes to 16, was primarily voted in by football counties.

“There are no semi-finals either, which were supposed to be brought in,” said an official.

“It’s not going to help either the counties or Croke Park financially. Teams who lose their first two games are out of it. You’re gone.”

With Central Council endorsing the development group’s proposals, this year’s four divisions have been split into five groups of six with Wexford and Limerick playing in Division 1B despite Wexford avoiding relegation and Limerick earning promotion this year.

Speaking on Wednesday, Cooney pointed out it would need a two-third majority vote at Central Council to overturn the original result.

“Central Council have made that decision,” said Cooney. “As it stands, there’s no change envisaged. Central Council made their decision at the last meeting what they wanted, hurling and football. I’ve heard rumours of counties meeting to look to change it but they’ll have to bring a motion to Central Council. That will require two thirds majority to change a decision that’s already made.”

Speaking on Live95FM radio yesterday, outgoing Limerick manager Donal O’Grady slammed the new league structures.

“It’s a crazy decision by the GAA, really. How you can tell a team in 2011 that they’re playing for promotion in 2012 which was won it fair and square by Limerick.

“If they had said that in 2011 they could have saved a lot of anguish.”