GAA to discuss status of Ring Cup winners in McCarthy Cup

The GAA is due to meet Antrim today to discuss the county's proposal, accepted by this year's congress, that the winners of the Christy Ring Cup shall qualify for a place in the Leinster hurling championship in the same season – as opposed to the following year as is currently the case.

Although not due for implementation until 2017 the matter is causing a headache for administrators.

Discussions take place against the backdrop of the weekend's controversial Ring Cup final, in which Antrim ostensibly lost to Meath but which was shown to have ended in a draw. Match referee John O'Brien of Tipperary accepted the error and his match report is understood to state as much, declaring a draw.

The GAA’s central competitions control committee also meets on Tuesday at midday in order to finalise details of the first-round draw in the football qualifiers but it is expected to accept the referee’s report and decide when to arrange the Ring Cup final replay.

Antrim have indicated they are more interested in next year’s McCarthy Cup status, which is one of the prizes for the winners. There is also concern in Croke Park that Meath may refuse to take part in a replay having already been presented with the trophy.

The controversy is ironic given Antrim’s motion to last February’s congress in Carlow specifically concerned the winners of the Ring Cup and was controversially accepted by a margin of four-to-one.

It would have been anticipated that favourites Antrim would by now have returned to the McCarthy Cup for next year, and not have so direct a stake in the proposal’s implementation. If the Ring Cup winners are to be eligible for the same year’s McCarthy Cup from 2017, the tier-two competition is going to have to conclude much earlier as the Leinster quarter-finals were also played last weekend.

Retain current structures

As was pointed out at the time acceptance of the motion was incompatible with an earlier decision to retain the current structures. It would also involve further inter-county fixtures at a time when the GAA is trying to reduce them.

The draw for the All-Ireland football qualifiers will be broadcast on Tuesday's Morning Ireland. The 'A' draw will involve Carlow, Louth/ Meath, Wicklow, Laois, Derry, Armagh, Waterford and Leitrim. The teams who emerge will face the Munster and Connacht runners-up in the final qualifier round. The 'B' draw features Longford, Offaly/ Westmeath, Wexford, Down, Antrim, Fermanagh/Donegal and London. This side of the draw will play the Leinster and Ulster provincial finalists.