The prophets of doom got it all wrong. Two years ago, when the GAA Congress in London sanctioned the re-admittance of the losing Leinster and Munster finalists into the All-Ireland hurling championship, some sceptics prophesied it would be a short-lived experiment.

It hasn't worked out that way. Today, delegates will attend a Special Congress in Rosslare, Co Wexford, where they are expected to endorse the continuation of a format which has galvanised hurling. Ironically, Offaly, who won the Liam McCarthy Cup in September and thus became the first to benefit from back-door entry into the All-Ireland series, are among the few counties who still have reservations about the new structure.

The delegates have three choices at today's congress (which is being held in Wexford in honour of the 1798 commemorative celebrations): 1, they can extend the new system for a further two years; 2, they can extend it for four years; or, 3, they can abandon it.

However, GAA president Joe McDonagh has come out strongly in favour of its retention while the Hurling Development Committee has prepared a document which outlines that the past two championships "have been the most successful ever" in terms of providing a programme of top-class games, specifically pointing out the increase in attendance levels at the Munster and Leinster semifinals which have even surpassed figures going back to the 1950s. A total of 588,500 spectators attended senior championship games this year, an increase of 197,000 on the 1996 championship. Four motions to the Special Congress relate to the hurling measure adopted in London two years ago. Mayo's motion simply asks delegates to determine whether or not Congress favours a continuation of the back-door system and proposes that the Leinster and Munster winners automatically qualify for the All-Ireland semi-finals and that the runners-up qualify for separate quarter-finals in which they will meet the winners of Connacht or Ulster, respectively, or any other unit permitted to enter the All-Ireland series.

A motion from Cavan proposes that the experiment be given a further trial over the next four championship years, while Waterford's motion seeks a further two years.

Galway, however, propose an alternative system for the quarter-finals in senior and minor, asking for pairings to be decided on an open draw basis.

Mattie Murphy has been appointed as manager of the Galway hurling team in succession to Cyril Farrell, the man who succeeded him in 1996.