Daunting path lies ahead for 2020 group

Later today, Liam Sheedy’s Hurling 2020 committee will unveil their recommendations after several months of canvassing opinion and consultation.

GAA president Liam O’Neill’s decision to commission Sheedy and his group to conduct an examination of the game was correct for a number of reasons but primarily one.

Yes, the game needed a review but there was also a widespread perception that a similar look at Gaelic football was impinging on hurling.

If Football Review Committee-initiated motions are successful next month, not only will all hurling games at club level also have to be finished in the calendar year but the clock/hooter will come into operation for senior hurling championship matches too. So it made sense optically that hurling was treated as its own entity.

But unlike Eugene McGee, Sheedy and his Hurling 2020 group, whatever they propose, will be faced with stauncher opposition from traditionalists. Even should they negotiate that hurdle, there is the matter of contending with a plethora of counties at Congress who can’t honestly say they have hurling’s best interests at heart.