Jerry O’Sullivan: Leave hurling qualifier draw alone

Munster chairman Jerry O’Sullivan sees no reason why the first round of the All-Ireland hurling qualifier draw has to change. 

The Leinster Council will on Saturday put forward a motion to Congress that would see an open draw from next season involving the three Munster counties and five teams competing in the Leinster championship that fail to reach their respective provincial finals.

As things stand, the three Munster counties can’t be drawn against one another. Instead, they face off against three of the Leinster SHC sides, the remaining Leinster two drawn against one another.

Munster teams have won five of the six first round qualifier games the past two seasons, the odd one out being Wexford’s 2014 replay win over then All-Ireland champions Clare.

Two of the six Leinster quarter-finalists are made up by the top two finishers in a qualifying group, which this year includes Kerry as 2015 Christy Ring Cup champions.

Leinster, who will required two-third majority support from delegates, believe an open draw would be fairer but O’Sullivan pointed to the strength of Munster counties and how they succeeded through the backdoor in recent years. Tipperary and Clare won All-Ireland titles via the qualifiers in 2010 and ‘13, while Tipperary reached the ‘14 final having lost to Limerick in a Munster semi-final.

“From a Munster point of view, Tipperary have been making significant progress. Clare again seem to be making a bit of a headway and these counties are showing what can be achieved with the proper effort and proper commitment.

“Some of the Munster counties have made significant progress in the qualifiers and it would be unfair on the counties making a genuine effort to improve their lot to deprive them that chance in the qualifiers.”

Notwithstanding the fact a Munster SHC winning team hasn’t won an All-Ireland title since Cork in 2005, the province are keen to ensure as many of their counties further their interests in the All-Ireland SHC.

Although, O’Sullivan points out the best way for developing counties such as those in the Leinster qualifying group is to pit themselves against the better teams. “As I said at Munster convention, in January every county feel they have a chance at the start of the year. Everybody is entitled to have a go but whether they succeed is another matter. They all have that feeling at the starting line.

“The championship has been dominated by stronger counties but there is nothing to say one of these so-called weaker counties won’t make a breakthrough. If they’re kept in the lower grade they certainly won’t improve.”

Munster don’t carry the same voting power as Leinster but O’Sullivan isn’t concerned. “We have a democratic organisation and every county is entitled to make up its own mind.”