League row set for Council

THE eight hurling counties who oppose the new Allianz League structure will formulate a motion to Central Council in an attempt to overturn the group’s decision made last month.

All eight were represented at Tuesday’s meeting in Croke Park with GAA President Christy Cooney, Director General Páraic Duffy and President-Elect Liam O’Neill, who chaired the work group that devised the structure.

There the counties were informed they would have to draft a motion to put to Central Council on Friday, September 30, which will require a two-third majority support if it is to be passed.

As the GAA’s fixture planners will shortly convene to draft the 2012 master calendar, time is of the essence for the disaffected alliance. On Tuesday, they explained to Duffy, Cooney and O’Neill the lack of games hindering the profile of the sport as well as reduced gate receipts.

Feelings are so strong among the counties that some have suggested they will pull out of the competition if the motion doesn’t get passed.

It is believed they are in support of the Management Committee’s recommendation to retain the eight-team divisional structure with semi-finals in Division 1. Semi-finals were provided for by a successful motion at this year’s Congress but were ruled out when the Hurling Development Work Group’s proposal got the required support (26-16) from Central Council.

Meanwhile, Fergal Hartley has pulled out of the race to become the next Waterford hurling manager, much to the disappointment of board officials. The Ballygunner man had been the front-runner for the position.

Cork’s 2005 All-Ireland winning manager John Allen has now been linked with the post, although Wexford football manager Jason Ryan, a Déise native, hasn’t been discounted.