The Hurling Development Committee's final draft of their proposed re-structuring of the All-Ireland Hurling championship has been made public. Under the new proposals, Galway will be guaranteed at least two games. If they are defeated in the first game of the open draw (which will comprise of three teams from Munster and Leinster who are beaten in the first round or the semi-finals of their respective provincial championships, the beaten county in the Ulster Final, and Galway), the three winning teams in this round, other than the team which beat Galway, will enter a draw whereby the first team drawn will play the Connacht county, ensuring that the Tribesmen receive a minimum of two games in the Championship.
The four winning teams which emerge from the open draw will then join the defeated provincial finalists in Munster and Leinster in a further open draw. The three winning teams from this qualifier will, along with the Ulster Champions, contest the All-Ireland quarter-finals. The two winners in this group will then play the Munster and Leinster Champions in the semi-finals.
These proposals have been forwarded to the GAA’s Management Committee and will be discussed at the annual GAA Congress next April. If they are ratified, the new format will come into effect for the 2002/2003 Championship.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
