Cavan to oppose plan for removal from Hurling League

Susan Brady confirmed that Cavan GAA will be opposing the plan.

Cavan are reportedly the first of the five counties threatened with removal from the Allianz Hurling League to oppose the plan.

Although the Irish Examiner understands there had been initial support in the county for the proposal to restrict it along with Fermanagh, Leitrim, Longford and Louth to the Lory Meagher Cup, Cavan have confirmed they will vote against it when it is put in front of Central Council next month.

County PRO Susan Brady told Northern Sound Radio: “We’re voting against this proposal as we want to support our senior hurlers and management team and the great efforts they have made.

“We have plans which we are working through to develop hurling clubs across underage and senior level, which we’ve been making good progress on.” Cavan beat Leitrim to win this year’s Division 3B and narrowly missed out on the Lory Meagher Cup final having been beaten by Leitrim by one point in the final round.

Fermanagh and Louth are due to discuss the league proposal at their county board meetings on November 20, while Leitrim and Longford are also expected to speak about the matter.

Having received feedback from the counties, the Central Competitions Control Committee presented a plan at Central Council last Saturday week to cut the five counties who each have less than five senior hurling clubs from the league in 2025. Instead, a development plan focusing on the clubs in each county would be put in place.

However, the idea has been received poorly by the panels and managements in all five counties. Speaking last weekend, Leitrim captain Martin Feeney criticised the GAA: “It just shows that they don’t give a crap really about the lower tiers. It means nothing to them. It shows no respect and all they care about is the money.” 

Louth captain Peter Fortune told RTÉ: "The fact that 'hurling development' is quoted in the same lines as this proposal is flabbergasting. We are constantly fighting a battle to promote hurling in our areas and help it develop. If you cut the head off the body dies and that’s what’s going to happen to hurling in these areas.” 

Meanwhile, Tipperary have elected to retain their under-age grades at odd numbers. Cork and Monaghan recently changed theirs to even numbers after a motion in Special Congress gave counties the autonomy to do so.

In Offaly, there is a proposal similar to Cork's to revert to even age numbers with restrictions on U18 players lining out for senior club teams.