Revamp heads for impasse

Hurling development plan: Plans to redevelop the current hurling championship appear to be heading for an impasse after Hurling Development Committee (HDC) chairman Pat Dunny informed the three provincial council meetings (Connacht, Ulster and Leinster) that the restructuring plan outlined in the Competitions Review Task Force report is not his committee's "preferred option".

The HDC has been pushing for Galway's inclusion in the Leinster championship. It even approached the Galway County Board after the board had turned down the formal offer from the Leinster Council, only to be rebuffed.

"The current situation is not insurmountable. We have to respect what Galway have decided to do," said Dunny. "If our preferred option doesn't work, we do have other options. If we didn't put out a draft report we wouldn't be able to have a discussion. We have to move on."

The task force's draft report outlined a system that would see Galway and the Ulster champions join five teams, from the Munster and Leinster championships, in a new qualifier draw. The eight teams would be divided into two groups of four, on the basis of an open draw. The top teams from these qualifiers would play the Munster and Leinster runners-up, with the second-placed sides facing the provincial champions, in the quarter-finals.

The main problem now for the HDC is that Galway have embraced the unofficial report. Galway hurling board secretary Phelim Murphy even went so far as to make a proposal to Croke Park calling for the new format to be brought into effect by next year's championship, a year earlier than planned.

"We feel it is the best proposal yet," he said. "The only fear would be, like anything, if it was left to sit for a year and a half, it may go stale. With three games, if we cannot come out of the qualifiers, then we're not good enough to play in the quarter-finals."

Murphy went on to confirm that the idea of Galway entering the Leinster championship is a non-runner. HDC members have now adopted a wait and see policy, at least until they have discussed the issue with all the provincial councils and had their final meeting.

"The feeling (within the HDC) had been that Galway should be involved in Leinster but now we must see what the overall reaction is from all the provinces," said HDC member Nicky English.

In Ulster, the reception to the draft report was described by the Games Committee chairman Pauric Duffy as "positive," but objections still exist, mainly from Down officials. They expressed their concern over just one team from Ulster being allowed into the qualifiers.

With Down currently living in the shadow of Antrim, there is little short-term prospect of their involvement in this system. But a more pertinent issue is the knock-on effect the new set-up will have on the county's clubs, as they currently compete in the Antrim league.

"There were concerns from Down and the club situation was brought up, but we must wait for the overall picture," said Duffy. "Both meetings (Connacht and Ulster) were well attended and the feedback was positive. We will have a better view on the hurling situation after the Munster meeting is complete."

The task force met the Leinster Council last night in Portlaoise, and they travel to Munster for a fourth and final meeting this evening. The HDC will meet next week to discuss its final position.

Meanwhile, with several of Birr's top players ruled out through injury, manager Pad Joe Whelahan believes the quest for a fifth All-Ireland title will undoubtedly be their biggest challenge to date.

Barry and Simon Whelahan have been struck down by groin injuries, with the former definitely requiring surgery, while Liam Power's season is also over because of a back/hip problem.

Even this Sunday's match against Naomh Eoin is a potential banana skin. Whelahan said: "We can't keep going, you know, somebody has to come up and beat us. In some ways it could end up being the best thing to happen to us."

In his other job, Whelahan is still waiting for his new Limerick selectors to be announced, although he expects a decision within the next fortnight.