Carlow confident about Division 1 plan

Carlow chairman Michael Meaney is confident their joint proposal with Westmeath to facilitate the pair in a Super 14 Division 1 will be accepted by Central Council today.

“We’re still lobbying but I’d be confident we have good support among the counties. We’ve nearly contacted every county and there is a recognition Carlow and Westmeath are doing a lot of work on the ground to promote hurling. With the exception of London, there are 14 counties in next year’s Liam MacCarthy Cup and people see it would be unfair for two of those counties outside it in spring and then be expected to compete it in during the summer. There is broad support for that and I’d be very happy that if there is a vote the 14-team proposal will be passed.”

A 2008 ruling on Cork’s striking hurlers could be the saving grace for either the Super 12 or 14 National Hurling League proposals. Dublin chairman Andy Kettle has raised concerns about teams having grounds for appeal should they be relegated based on the cross-section games in the Michael Burns’ structure. However, the Central Competitions Control Committee five years ago had the authority to change the differentiation of the league standings after Cork failed to line out in their first two games.