Galway in talks over hurling blueprint

Nicky Brennan, head of the GAA's Hurling Development Committee, has admitted Galway are the main sticking point in their attempts to introduce a revised championship structure.

Brennan and fellow committee member Pat Daly met Galway officials on Wednesday night, and that discussion is likely to have a key influence on the new proposals.

The former Kilkenny manager will take the details of that meeting back to the full committee panel in the next couple of days, and hopes to deliver a final blueprint to Croke Park by the end of next week.

"I wouldn't say at this stage what will be the likely outcome of those discussions with Galway," Brennan said. "They heard our story and we were anxious to hear theirs. We asked questions and they asked questions. But it's no secret that they have been the sticking point in the plans." Brennan is eager to have the proposals ironed out before the GAA Congress next April, but Galway's unique situation in Connacht has been well versed. They are requesting at least two games, but do not want to be included in either the Leinster or Munster championship. They are also against any proposal that will include them in an eight-team championship knock-out containing the Ulster champions and the three teams beaten in Leinster and Munster.

The development committee have encountered some other stumbling blocks over the last few months. The issue of the back-door system remains sensitive, and Brennan was not prepared to admit it was destined to be a thing of the past.

"I can say that the feelings on the current back-door system are mixed. That is something we will take into account in making a decision. It is important to note that not everybody is against it, and that is a view that would have to be considered. There may be some conflict there and we will have to weigh up those issues. So there are still a couple of talking points that need to be looked at."

Much of the speculation in the last few weeks has pointed towards a new structure similar to that devised for the football championship, where a qualifying group for beaten teams has been introduced.

"It's fair to say that wouldn't be too far off the mark," said Brennan. "Any sort of open draw for the beaten group would have to fall somewhere in line with that introduced in the football. There's not that many other options open to us.

"But there are fewer teams involved with the hurling championship, so it's not quite the same scenario. Those are the sort of issues that have to be addressed, but I'm more than confident that we can wrap up the plan by the end of next week."