Aogán Ó Fearghail defends current hurling league structures

Not for the first time the GAA has found itself defending its league structures, on this occasion after another one-sided hammering and apparent anomaly in the current hurling league format.

One of Sunday’s quarter-finals saw Kilkenny record a 24-point victory over once close rivals Offaly, while in the Division 1A relegation play-off, Galway make the drop after losing to Cork, despite finishing ahead of them in the league proper.

“It is set at the moment, that’s the way Central Council has determined it to be,” said GAA president Aogán Ó Fearghail, when asked if there was any immediate room for change in the current hurling structure. “Overall, for most counties, the system is serving them well.

“Whatever format you’re going to get, you’re going to have anomalies arising, some counties that will quite justifiably say that it’s a little bit unfair. And I think it’s also fair to put it into context. Hurling has always been at the level it’s currently at. I wouldn’t argue that the league is the only reason for that.

“But look, every single system we have, we’ll always find certain issues that are probably a bit difficult. But when you look at it overall, the fairness of the league, is that the best teams at all division levels still come to the top.

Indeed Ó Fearghail was not unduly worried by Offaly’s 24-point defeat to Kilkenny, 6-20 to 0-14:

“As a general point, there is always going to be situations where our top teams will play a team from a lower division or a lower grade. And there will be a large scoring difference.

“As the championship throws-in in a few months time, we’re going to see the same thing, I have no doubt, with some of our best football teams meeting maybe a weaker one.

“There will be a large scoring difference and there will be some calling for the championship to be completely changed. I don’t believe that one game and one result should overall change how it’s run.”

There is at least the full spread of provincial representation in the football semi-finals, both set for Croke Park this Sunday: Kerry play Roscommon at 2pm, followed by holders Dublin against Donegal at 4pm.

Full deck

Both hurling semi-finals have been set for Sunday week, April 17th, at Semple Stadium, Thurles, featuring one Leinster county and three from Munster: Limerick play Waterford at 2pm, followed by Clare against Kilkenny at 4pm.

Meanwhile, Kerry coach Eamonn Fitzmaurice confirmed yesterday he will have almost a full deck to choose from for the semi-final. He is confident the four who missed out in Kerry’s five-point win on Sunday against Cork, will be fit enough to play some part.

“Aidan O’Mahony (hand) and Darran O’Sullivan (hamstring) will be back. I am not sure on Bryan Sheehan yet and we won’t know until we train during the week. We will see how he is, but we won’t rush him.

Anthony Maher and James O’Donoghue won’t be back. Paul Geaney had a hamstring strain, tightness. He will be grand this week again.”