Sir, - I would like to draw the attention of your readers and particularly the GAA authorities to the inequalities and injustice inherent in the hurling championship as presently set up. This year, to reach the semi-final play-offs Kilkenny (probably the best team in the country) had to play just one game against lowly Laois. Last year, to reach the same stage of the competition, they had to beat just one equally weak team, namely Dublin. On the other hand, Waterford this year would have had to beat both Limerick and Cork to reach the same stage and then Clare and Offaly to reach the final.
One would imagine that in any competition all the contestants would have to play an equal number of matches (excluding draws) against opposition of roughly equal standard. Such is not the case in the hurling championship. With Kilkenny winning the Leinster minor title for the past 10 years without a break, it looks as if they will be fast-tracked into the All-Ireland semi-finals for the foreseeable future. This may be good news for Kilkenny supporters, but it cannot be good for the game of hurling. Would that Waterford or Limerick could find such a comfortable route to the final. This system will continue to keep hurling titles the preserve of the elite. To misquote scripture, those who have, will have more given to them, while those with little will lose that little.
The suggestion of Dublin coach Michael O'Grady must be taken seriously and given a trial by the GAA authorities without delay - namely a round robin system with five teams in both Munster and Leinster (Galway playing in Leinster) with an intermediate or B All-Ireland played for by the next 12 teams in order of merit using the same format.
I believe that the great game of hurling needs imaginative and radical changes to the championship in order to spread beyond its current very limited playing areas. Above all, it needs all counties playing on the same level pitch, which at present is manifestly not happening. - Yours, etc.
Denis Kennedy, C.S.Sp., St Joseph's Presbytery, Glastule, Co Dublin.