Offaly will definitely be playing Division Two hurling in next season's National League after Central Council rejected their appeal to expand the top flight to 10 teams in 2008.
Offaly lost out on Division One status after their defeat in the relegation play-off with Limerick last month but had tabled a motion asking for the proposed changes to the format of the league to be altered so they might be accommodated.
Offaly manager John McIntyre had described the situation facing the county as "a doomsday scenario" and "a death sentence" earlier this week but the county's pleas fell on deaf ears this afternoon as Central Council insisted on the nine-team format, set to be introduced in 2008 as part of the latest overhaul of the league.
"Following a discussion on a motion from Offaly and a submission from the Hurling Development Committee it was agreed that there would be no change in the HDC's proposal in regard to the format and structure of the Allianz Hurling League in 2008," a GAA statement explained.
"Following a vote Offaly's motion was unsuccessful which means that they will participate in Division Two next year."
Other decisions taken today's meeting included the allocation of revenue from the rugby and soccer internationals at Croke Park directly to the county boards.