Alternative hurling format to be considered

The GAA’s Central Council did not vote on a new structure for the Allianz Hurling Leagues on Saturday after it was decided to present county representatives with another alternative format to consider for 2015.

An eight-team Division One and a six-team Division Two format was proposed at the start of the month and expected to be discussed by Central Council today. However, after opposition from Offaly and Wexford, Michael Burns of the National fixtures planning committee drafted and presented an alternative for consideration.

It is proposed the top 12 teams after the 2014 season be ranked into three tiers - four As, four Bs, four Cs - and randomly drawn evenly into two groups of six for the following year.

This would leave two of each category in each group. Each team would play five games, plus two against their ranking rivals from the other group.

The top two teams in each section would then enter semi-finals, while the bottom teams in each section would play-off for relegation.

This format would ensure all four ‘A’ teams play each other, while the lower ranked teams would be guaranteed to face at least two top-ranked sides.