Wexford opposed to proposed changes for hurling league

Wexford county chairman, Diarmuid Devereux said the county is bitterly opposed to the proposed new formation for the 2014 National Hurling League describing it "as a blatant act of cynicism".

With anger at the proposals growing in Wexford, Devereux has vowed to oppose this proposal taking the fight to the highest levels and calling on the support of “our friends and supporters to do so”.

“It seems as if Wexford is voiceless in Croke Park. We did not lose our Division One status we drew with Tipperary to retain Division One hurling with our final game. At that time Croke Park decided they wanted a six-team division and we were dumped down to Divison 1B.

“Two years later they want an eight-team division. What has changed the criteria in the meantime. We have more of a right to Divison One hurling than Limerick for we retained our status only for Croke Park to dump us down to Divison 1B. What has changed for Croke Park to bring in this new proposal. Is it because Cork qualified for an All-Ireland final and Limerick won Munster.

“We in Wexford won Leinster Under-21 this year. We played draws with both Dublin and Clare in the senior championship. Does all that count for nothing.”

Devereux feels the counties and hurling are been let down by Croke Park.

"Davy Fitzgerald said after the drawn All-Ireland final there's no place in the GAA for the small boys. It seems as if he was right.

“The impact on Wexford hurling would be hugely detrimental. We are looking forward to hopefully hosting the likes of Cork, Limerick, Offaly in 2014, but now this has been snatched away from us should these proposals be accepted.

“There are also of course financial impacts for Wexford, the 2013 league income was the lowest ever, with only two home games. This has real consequences, damaging our ability to prepare, to fund development and compete, something Wexford GAA can’t and wont ignore. The fact is that our young senior hurlers need more games at the top level and not less.”

Anthony Cunningham has told Galway hurling officials he wants to stay on as manager – but his tenure will hinge on getting the backing of club delegates tonight.

Galway club officials have never been slow to get rid of a manager and Cunningham’s hopes of staying in charge for a third year is now dependent on them backing him tonight.

Galway hurling committee chairman Joe Byrne said that the review of Cunningham’s tenure was scheduled for the end of his second year.

Byrne confirmed yesterday that Cunningham has indicated to them that he wants to stay in charge. His backroom team will be changed with Mattie Kenny stepping down.