Relegation confusion leads to deferrals

Confusion continues to reign over the All-Ireland SHC relegation race as GAA chiefs yesterday deferred this weekend’s Round 1 fixtures.

The identity of the four teams battling to beat the drop was confirmed on Saturday evening when Clare and Wexford were both defeated in their All-Ireland SHC Phase 2 qualifier ties.

Clare against Wexford, and Antrim against Offaly were the two relegation matches originally pencilled in for this Saturday, but the CCCC decided yesterday to postpone the games until Saturday week, July 25, citing the need to clarify promotion and relegation issues with An Coiste Bainistí.

The uncertainty has arisen following claims last week by Antrim officials that they were promised a three-year stint in Leinster when they agreed to enter the province last autumn and that participation in the Leinster SHC ensures eligibility for the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

Carlow’s Christy Ring Cup success last Saturday guarantees their presence in next year’s Leinster SHC but Antrim are insistent they cannot be thrown out of Leinster if they are the side relegated this year.

"The general consensus was that clarification was needed as regards the relegation games," revealed GAA communications manager Alan Milton yesterday.

"The CCCC didn’t want teams playing games when they didn’t know what they were playing for. These matches do not have to be played this weekend and it was felt that the best course of policy was to clarify the matter with Coiste Bainistí."