Liam Sheedy believes the current structure of Allianz Hurling League Division 1A isn't delivering competitive enough fare, with teams balancing league ambitions with imminent aspirations and goals for the championship.
Speaking on Allianz League Sunday, Sheedy highlighted one-sided games this weekend and the impact a truncated inter-county season has had on the fortunes of the league.
"You can probably count three or four matches where you have a real level of intensity and where you really could have said, 'God, that was a real spectacle'," the former Tipp manager said.
"The matches over the weekend – Tipperary won by nine, Limerick won by 12 – and watching the match, there was never anything other than a Limerick victory, and obviously Cork won by 18.
"With all that's at stake, I don't see it transferring through because I think each team is trying to balance getting ready for championship.
"The most important date in all of their calendars is the 20th of April.
Liam Sheedy thinks this year's new hurling Division 1 format has so far failed to raise the level of competition 📺 Watch Allianz League Sunday on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer now #AllianzLeagues #GAA pic.twitter.com/S94iX5bOgr
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"I think teams are watching, 'do we want to be in a league final? Is that going to allow us to be ready for the match in two weeks' time?' Because if you qualify for the league final and you don't come out of your provincial championship, you'll be seen as a failure.'
"It's really hard to balance. They've shortened the window. They're training in December, and you've got to be ready for April, and it's all very, very narrow.
"I think we've got to open it up a little bit.
"I think our league structure needs oxygen, and it's not getting enough oxygen."
