WHILE the final outcome of the debate on the proposed reforms of the hurling championships is eagerly awaited, the Dublin county board has introduced an interesting change in the playing rules for one of its club competitions. The rule change prohibits handling of the sliothar.

Kevin Heffernan, the chairman of the county board's development sub committee, and Donal Hickey, the board's development officer, are behind the move which makes it obligatory for a player to strike the ball along the ground or on the lift without handling. The rule will apply in the Boland Cup senior hurling series.

"In having ground hurling it develops the other skills of the game," says Hickey. "Successful hurling counties and, indeed, Dublin teams of the past, based their strengths on ground hurling."