Hurling playoffs to go ahead

The GAA have confirmed that the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship relegation play-offs will go ahead as scheduled next weekend and that the controversy surrounding the promotion and relegation issue has finally been put to bed.

An Coiste Bainistí met today at Croke Park and confirmed that Antrim will take on Offaly at Parnell Park next Saturday (July 25), while Clare will face Wexford on the same day.

The losers of the Antrim-Offaly and Wexford-Clare ties will then meet in a relegation final, with the loser of that game demoted to the Christy Ring Cup for 2010.

However, this decision is likely to draw opposition from those involved and in particular Antrim, who were told they were guaranteed participation in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship for a three-year spell.

The Saffrons took part in the Leinster Championship for the first time this year, losing out to Dublin at the quarter-final stage at Croke Park.

Carlow have already gained promotion to top flight hurling for next year, following their four-point Christy Ring Cup final victory over Down last Saturday.