ALL-IRELAND SHC RELEGATION PLAY-OFFS:THE GAA last night confirmed that in accordance with the existing rules of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, the relegation play-offs would take place after all next weekend – Saturday, July 25th.
This means Wexford will play Clare, and Antrim face Offaly, before the losing teams play off to determine who will be relegated.
Exact match arrangements will be finalised by the Central Competitions Control Committee on Monday.
This was the ultimate interpretation of management committee into motion 35 passed at congress last April, submitted by Westmeath, which stated that the defeated team in the relegation phase of the MacCarthy Cup shall be relegated to the Christy Ring Cup, while the winner of the Christy Ring Cup gains promotion.
This means Carlow, as Christy Ring Cup winners, get promoted after all, having been told last week that they will play in the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2010.
The decision is still likely to draw opposition from all four counties involved, but particularly from Antrim, who had been guaranteed a three-year spell in the Leinster Championship.
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