Big guns willing to give lower-tier sides a leg-up

National Hurling League:Rarely has the National Hurling League been launched in more subdued circumstances - not only because of recent events in Cork, but with three of the countries leading hurling managers also admitting the game remains as divided in class as ever.

Sunday marks the start of another so-called national hurling competition, when in reality no more than four or five counties have any chance of winning it. In the 15 years since Allianz took over sponsorship of the competition in 1993, only six counties have managed to win titles: including Kilkenny (five), Galway (three), Tipperary (three) and Cork (two). Limerick and Waterford won one each.

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody described this situation as both "worrying" and "disappointing", while Waterford manager Justin McCarthy reckoned poor coaching was largely to blame.

The Limerick manager, Richie Bennis, said the league still represents the best chance for counties to make a breakthrough, but that the top teams were still sure to dominate.

The remarks were prompted by Leinster Council chairman Liam O'Neill, who formally launched the competition by referring back to the GAA Congress in Cavan in 1994, when similar concerns were expressed about the state of hurling.

"It's 14 years since the famous 'hurling is dying' speech made at Congress in Cavan," said O'Neill, "and quite frankly, we haven't moved it on. The challenge for us as administrators is to bring the dream that was envisioned in the Strategic Review Committee of 2002, where it was said that six teams, outside of the top group, would be targeted, and within 10 years, to make the All-Ireland semi-final. We've done little on that.

"We have to work harder at official level to expand hurling in this country. And teams that contest the MacCarthy Cup must be represented in the top echelons of the league. And we can't stop there. We need to expand that group of the top 12, to a top 16. That's the challenge facing the association at the moment. So I think all the counties in the MacCarthy Cup, plus the top teams in the Christy Ring Cup, need to be brought to a forum where we discuss hurling, and see if we can expand on it."

Cody's record with Kilkenny (four league titles since 2002) has contributed to the imbalance of wealth, although he does feel strongly about the situation.

"It is worrying, and disappointing," he said, "that it's 14 years since that was said at Congress, and very little has happened in the meantime.

"It's a shame. It's hugely important, first of all, that the strong counties remain strong, and then for the next layer of counties to be brought up as much as humanly possible.

"We lost to Antrim in the Walsh Cup, and I know everyone was saying it was only the Walsh Cup. But they had a lot of under-21s on their team, and they were excellent. I've been up to Antrim a few times now, and I think the potential is there, for a start. Their standard of play is terrific, their touch, their strike, their skill level.

"And the spirit in which they play the game, and they're crying out for every bit of help that's available to them. Carlow are making strides as well, and Laois, and everything that is possible must be done to bridge that gap for those counties, in whatever way possible."

Last year's league saw Dublin hint at a possible breakthrough when they drew with Kilkenny, and while they still failed to make the play-offs, Cody was confident they would continue to progress: "They are hugely important. I can tell you when we go to play Dublin now, we worry about them. And any of our club teams feel the same.

"At minor and under-21 Dublin have the beating of Kilkenny, that's the reality. Dublin Colleges beat St Kieran's again at the weekend. They're waiting to take off. But to make it up at senior level doesn't happen overnight. It takes patience and support."

For McCarthy, who last year managed Waterford to a first league title since 1963, the days of Antrim or Dublin, or even Laois or Carlow, contesting a national league may not be that far away.

"It's possible, if we really aim for it," he said. "But I think there's a need for more coaches than managers. A lot of people are managing teams now, without the necessary coaching ability. Also to simplify it down, because I think we're overcomplicating some of the hurling coaching, and therefore not getting teams to play the right type of game, and the right type of skills.

"The demand for hurling is greater than ever. I know the hurley makers can't keep up with the demand for hurleys. And there's huge interest all over. So we clearly should be aiming to bring more counties into contention.

"It may mean we need to adopt a county, and give them specialised advice, if we had the time to do that."

Limerick haven't won a league title since 1997, and Bennis was quick to remind Cody and McCarthy that up until last year, when they made the All-Ireland final, they were hardly rated as one of the contenders to win the thing. This year, however, Bennis hopes it will be different.

"Limerick still need to win some trophy. We'd a good breakthrough last year, but what Limerick need now is a trophy . . . They have the experience now, so hopefully that will make the difference."