Treaty to seek league change

Limerick GAA chiefs have confirmed they will attempt to lead another campaign to change the structure of the National Hurling League.

County chairman Oliver Mann revealed they will be getting in touch with Croke Park about reconsidering next year’s system.

Cork, Limerick, Offaly, Wexford, Antrim and Laois will make up Division 1B in 2014 with the top four qualifying for the quarter-finals against the corresponding best quartet in Division 1A.

Limerick led an alliance of hurling counties in 2011 after they were positioned in the newly-formed second tier Division 1B despite earning promotion from Division 2 earlier that year.

Although the nine-strong group (Limerick, Cork, Clare, Tipperary, Waterford, Kilkenny, Galway, Dublin and Wexford) preferred an eight-team top flight, they succeeded in gaining a compromise with the Division 1B winners gaining a semi-final place along with the top three in Division 1A.

Mann confirmed they had put off taking action until they discovered the outcome of the Clare-Cork relegation play-off on Sunday.

Limerick believe their cause is strengthened by the presence of Cork in Division 1B in 2014.

However, Cork, while they would be supportive of a change to the format having previously voted against it, will not be at the forefront of any attempt to alter it.

As opposed to the more militant stance they took last time, Mann explained Limerick are aspiring to get more counties on their side in a more positive way.

“We were waiting to see what the make-up of the league would be for next year,” he said. “We will possibly contact Croke Park later this week.

“Being honest about it, we’re not going to be seen to rock the boat. We’re hoping to make diplomatic moves, going down a different road and if it works then it works.”

Offaly, who voted for the six-team divisional structure, now appear to be in favour of another system.

Tipperary, who were originally supportive of the eight-team format, are the only Liam MacCarthy Cup county in Munster who backed the six-team system.

However, manager Eamon O’Shea recently called for more counties to be brought into the top flight.

Mann admitted it will take more than the support of those with vested interests to amend next year’s plans.

“I would just hope it’s not the traditional hurling counties alone on this. I would like to see all counties recognise that the league structure at the minute isn’t working.

“Considering Cork, Limerick, Offaly and Wexford’s situation, I don’t think it (the league) is leading to the promotion of hurling in those counties.

“I would hope that all counties would see that because it needs far more than the traditional hurling counties to get it changed.”

Clare have already privately indicated their support for a change while Cork chairman Bob Ryan also indicated Cork’s but stopped short of taking a lead in any push to revise the league.

“We won’t be doing anything this week. After what has happened, we’re not going to create any racket because Cork were relegated.

“My own opinion on the league and its system is well known and would have been long before Cork were relegated.

“We accept we were beaten but my problem has not been about that but the system itself.”

Last week, Hurling Development Workgroup chairman Tommy Lanigan said they would not be looking to change the league’s design.

Mann is optimistic central GAA officials will hear their argument as they are impacted upon both promotionally and financially by another season in the second tier of the competition next year.

“Croke Park are always open to listening to people and hopefully the case that will be made will be compelling enough for Croke Park to do something.

“There’s no doubt about the challenges we face in the county. There’s a lot of competition between sports here and you have to be playing at the highest level to protect yourself.

“You’re not only battling for the hearts and minds of the younger generation but their parents as well.”

The significance of next year’s league isn’t lost on Mann — were they to finish top of Division 1B in 2014 as they did last month they would qualify for a promotion/relegation play-off against the bottom team in Division 1A unlike last Saturday week in Thurles when they missed out after losing to second-placed Dublin in the Division 1B final.

“The anomaly in next year’s structure is you have the situation when either the second, third or fourth (Division 1B) teams could end up winning the league and not be promoted.”

Apart from O’Shea, other managers such as Davy Fitzgerald, Anthony Cunningham and John Allen have highlighted issues with the six-team format.