Galway's lack of interest in Leinster causing some disquiet

Hurling development: Some disquiet has emerged among the members of the Hurling Development Committee (HDC) regarding the structural revamp of the hurling championships. The main issue centres on Galway's proposed amalgamation into the Leinster championship, writes Gavin Cummiskey

This idea was omitted from last week's Competitions Review Task Force draft report. However, HDC member Liam Griffin confirmed that the body's priority is still to entice Galway into a "Leinster area".

"The draft proposal released was part of the deliberations earlier on in the summer, but we had moved on to include the idea of amalgamating Galway into the Leinster area," said Griffin.

Yet, after Galway turned down the Leinster Council's invitation to enter their provincial championship, the HDC also approached the county with the suggestion, only to receive the same response.

"Going into the Leinster championship seems to be the bugbear of Galway," he continued. "It's a mindset that I don't really seem to be able to understand. Really, what we are looking for is a more meaningful championship, with three quality sections to lead into the qualifiers."

Under the new three-tier system a promotion and relegation system would be in place, giving all teams several competitive games throughout the summer, while also allowing hurling counties like Galway and Antrim the opportunity to develop further.

"If a team reaches the relegation final, and win, they will have played one more game than the All-Ireland champions and still be in the senior championship the following year,"

Griffin added: "After 150 years of playing one match in the championship, teams will finally be able to play for a sustained period."

At present Galway seems to be the main stumbling block for the HDC to get their preferred system in place, but Leinster council secretary Michael Delaney has confirmed that they have not completely closed the door on them, for the short-term at least.

"The offer is open until the draw for next year's championship is made. However, they formally wrote to us turning down the invitation, so we have drawn a line under it," said Delaney.

Commentating from Australia on the task force report, GAA president Seán Kelly said: "This is a package of proposals across the whole are of competitions," he said.

"And secondly there has been widespread consultation with the main stakeholders. It now goes around the counties and if there's any tweaking to be done, it will be finished in time for Congress."

The task force will meet the four provincial councils next week in an attempt to put together a final report for Congress to approve.

The meetings begin next Tuesday, starting with Connacht in Ballyhaunis, followed by Monaghan (Ulster) on Wednesday, Portlaoise (Leinster) on Thursday and Adare (Munster) on Friday.