GAA: Leinster round-robin system scrapped

Leinster's so-called "weaker counties" are up in arms after the provincial council decided to scrap plans for a round-robin system in this year's Leinster Hurling Championship.

The decision was made after a lengthy meeting last night of the Leinster Council in Portlaoise.

Leinster Secretary Michael Delaney said this morning: "The change means that some games in Division Two of the National Hurling League will need to be altered but the GAC are willing to facilitate us on that.

"It's a decision which no one wanted but one in which everyone agreed was necessary in the circumstances and hopefully we will return to the format next year."

The decision was made following the delay suffered by the National Hurling League due to the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The round-robin system was introduced last year, and included the Kehoe Cup finalists.