Consensus likely on hurling league format

AFTER SEVERAL weeks of wrangling and some not inconsiderable awkwardness the GAA should be in a position to begin completing the 2012 master fixture list by sometime late this evening – depending on the length and amount of debate at the special meeting of Central Council in Croke Park.

The much-maligned hurling league format for 2012 and beyond goes back to a second vote amongst the 45 Central Council delegates, with the indication now being only a simple majority will be required to reject this format agreed upon in August, and vote in a new structure that this time will hopefully satisfy everyone.

This controversial decision to revamp the hurling league into two top-tiers of six teams each, effectively creating a new six-team Division One and Two, was effectively rejected by the eight leading hurling counties, despite the original vote of 28 to 16 in favour.

Following consultation with Management Committee, these counties tabled a motion to revert to last season’s eight-team Divisions One and Two, with the introduction of semi-finals; Management Committee will also table what’s being labelled a “compromise motion”, whereby the format will maintain the six-team groups but with the addition of quarter- and semi-finals.

It was originally understood these competing motions would require a two-thirds majority, but it was argued at last week’s meeting that the original proposal should itself have needed a two-thirds majority to be accepted, as it was changing a previous Central Council decision from last November, which had sought to introduce semi-finals into the hurling league for 2012.

Both this evening’s motions also include semi-finals and therefore should likewise only require a simply majority. Either way, some consensus should be reached on the format for next spring – as both motions reintroduce rounds and give the likes of Limerick and Wexford more competitive games.

The GAA already found themselves in the unusual position of staging the draw for the 2012 championship, last Thursday, while still unsure of the format of the 2012 hurling league. One of the difficulties with league fixtures is that they do require more homework, particularly in the case of Dublin and their desire to continue with the successful Spring Series in Croke Park. The intention is to once again combine some football and hurling league dates, as they did this year – but until Dublin’s hurling opposition is known that task is impossible.