Hurling initiative money well spent, if ...

The GAA believe their new hurling funding initiative will be worthwhile if one of Antrim, Carlow, Laois and Westmeath become a Division 1A regular and have won three Championship games against higher tier counties over the next six years.

At Congress on Saturday, Liam O’Neill revealed €900,000 will be invested on the four counties’ senior hurling teams over the next five years in an attempt to help them join the “top 10” of Clare, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary, Offaly, Waterford and Wexford.

Each county can apply for annual funding of €45,000 based on the strength of their submissions although a minimum of €10,000 per annum must be spent on improving and enhancing development at minor and U21 level. None of the funding can be used on capital projects or basis preparations of inter-county teams.