Offaly’s Boland reiterates opposition to league changes

Offaly chair Pádraig Boland has reiterated his county’s opposition to the proposal that the hurling league structures be altered from what was agreed last December.

Last week it emerged a new format was to be put to the upcoming Central Council meeting. If accepted, this would result in an eight-team Division One and a six-team Division Two, including Offaly and Wexford.

“We’re not happy with the way this has come about,” said Boland. “There’ll be seven top-class matches for the teams in One A and only five teams in Division One B: five games against inferior opposition to what the other teams are enjoying is no preparation for going in and facing Kilkenny.

“To be honest we don’t think it would have happened if it was anyone else other than Cork that were relegated this year, and that’s not right.”