Westmeath and Carlow hit out at league plans

Carlow and Westmeath have drawn up an alternative National Hurling League proposal for consideration ahead of next month’s Central Council meeting.

Both counties are angry they have been left out of the recommended 12-team Division 1 and have drafted a different format to cater for the interests of all the Liam MacCarthy Cup teams in Ireland.

Carlow chairman Michael Meaney has warned they and Westmeath will “do what we have to do to get recognition for the hard work being done in our counties”.

Meaney claimed the league changes have been submitted “to facilitate Cork” who were relegated from Division 1A this year.

He said the two Leinster counties won’t go legal with their proposal “unless we have to”.

“We have met with Westmeath and we’re aggrieved with what has been brought forward. There are 15 teams in the Liam MacCarthy Cup, London are happy enough with where they are in the league and the other 12 are being catered for in Division 1.

“We would feel strongly about it. At the launch of the national hurling initiative last year, the GAA said they hoped one of six counties could reach an All-Ireland semi-final either through the front door or back door in the next 10 years.

“Carlow and Westmeath were among them. People will say we were relegated (from Division 1B) but so were Cork (from Division 1A). They have changed the rules to facilitate Cork.”

The joint Carlow-Westmeath submissions have been issued to Croke Park and are likely to be sent to counties later this week.

Both proposals are expected to be discussed at a meeting of county chairmen in Croke Park on Saturday. Central Council is set to vote in the 2014 league structure on November 16.