Hurling 2020: Key Proposals

What are the chances of success of the various proposals? Irish Examiner writers consider the options.

1. Hire an external consultancy firm to produce a best practice template to be used as a blueprint for counties to build hurling from its foundations.

Verdict: Most needed.

Matter for: Central Council.

Chances of success: Great

2. Establishment of a full-time director of hurling.

Verdict: Tried before but more powerful role now.

Matter for: Central Council.

Chances of success: Good

3. One v one penalties.

Verdict: Common sense and exciting.

Matter for: Congress.

Chances of success: Good

4. One v three 20m frees.

Verdict: Punishes foul play close to goal.

Matter for: Congress.

Chances of success: Good

5. Introduction of the five-second advantage rule

Verdict: A long time coming.

Matter for: Congress.

Chances of success: Good

6. Standardisation of the sliotar at all levels.

Verdict: A long time coming.

Matter for: Central Council.

Chances of success: Good

7. Establishment of a national hurling referees sub-committee.

Verdict: Understandable but a little snobbish?

Matter for: Central Council.

Chances of success: Dubious

8. Player who picks up two yellows to be replaced as opposed to sent off

Verdict: The most contentious of the lot. Could add to cynicism and what about six substitutes to reflect it?

Matter for: Congress.

Chances of success: Dubious

9. End promotion/relegation play-offs involving teams in different divisions in the League.

Verdict: A lot of support in traditional counties for this idea.

Matter for: Central Council.

Chances of success: Decent

10. Remove promotion/relegation play-off between Leinster round robin losers and Christy Ring champion. Instead, losers relegated to Christy Ring and Ring winners go up

Verdict: Major boost for developing hurling counties.

Matter for: Congress.

Chances of success: Decent

11. Increase length of Christy Ring Cup competition to seven weekends from current five.

Verdict: Yes, oh yes.

Matter for: Central Council/CCCC.

Chances of success:Good

12. Christy Ring Cup final to be a curtain-raiser at a high profile All-Ireland SHC qualifier

Verdict: Exactly type of promotion the competition needs. Matter for: Central Council/CCCC. Chances of success: Great

13. Provide more authority to the national CCCC to ensure club fixtures schedules are adhered to.

Verdict: Ties in with FRC proposal.

Matter for: Congress.

Chances of success: Good.

14. Increase number of water/hurley carriers by one for Championship and league games.

Verdict: Logical.

Matter for: CCCC.

Chances of success: Good.

15. Squad numbers to be introduced for each team in this year’s Liam MacCarthy Cup.

Verdict: Gets our backing but will traditionalists like it?

Matter for: Central Council.

Chances of success: Dubious.