Support for GAA president-elect Seán Kelly's proposals that weaker counties be allowed to feature on the undercard of All-Ireland championship matches - as opposed to the current system of minor championships receiving that exposure - has come from an ad hoc committee formed on behalf of weaker hurling counties.
According to its own document, "Hurling Development Plan", the group came together to represent "a groundswell of disquiet in all the weaker hurling counties".
"The GAA bosses may say that we do not represent anybody," according to the document, "and have no right to suggest change, except through official club channels in the form of motions to county boards, but since all and every one of the people on this committee are fully paid up members of the GAA, we have every right to float constructive ideas."
The redevelopment plan includes proposals for "meaningful competition" amongst the second tier of county teams, such as "Antrim, Dublin, Derry, and Westmeath", and also a third tier including "Mayo, Sligo, Cavan, Donegal, Armagh, Fermanagh Tyrone, etc".
In addition, the plan proposes that coaching structures aimed at raising the standard of counties to those of the tier above them be introduced. Live television coverage - or at least substantial highlights - would also be guaranteed together with separate sponsorship for the new competitions. A holiday abroad would also be provided for the eventual winners.
The group also calls for the establishment of a hurling board in every county and also for strong hurling counties to be twinned with weaker ones.
The steering committee of the Hurling Redevelopment Group is: Brian McDonnell, Tom Evans, Tiernagh Mahon, Morgan Lalor, PJ O'Grady, Denis Flaherty, Philip Kelly, Roy Dineen, Tony Fawl.
Meanwhile, Glanbia has launched its renewed sponsorship of the Waterford and Kilkenny county teams for this year. This is thought to be a unique example of one company sponsoring two counties - under different brands, Gain Feeds (Waterford) and Avonmore (Kilkenny).
Dublin's County Board has released a statement backing the endorsement deal between the county footballers and the new city newspaper the Dublin Daily News.
Among the points made in the press release were: "The Dublin County Board are pleased to see that players of our games are being appreciated in this manner at long last.
"This arrangement does not affect the Dublin team or management dealing with the national sports media. Dublin will continue to run an open house approach."
