Top counties to support NHL change

MOST of the top nine hurling counties will support a move to change the format of the Allianz Hurling League in 2020.

The proposal involves re-configuring Divisions 1A and 1B, to include counties ranked ninth to 12th in both groups.

The two divisions (six each) are currently merit-based, but on Saturday Central Council will consider including ‘weaker’ counties in either group. If the proposed means of structuring Division 1 were in operation next year, the groups would be as follows:

Group A: Carlow, Clare, Cork, Galway, Tipperary, Offaly.

Group B: Dublin, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Waterford, Wexford.

The Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) proposal to change the Division 1 format follows feedback from counties. Many felt that with the Leinster and Munster championships now run on a league basis, Division 1 should treat all 12 Division 1 counties as equal, rather than the meritbased 1A and 1B system currently in place. Division 1A counties feel that the ultra-competitive nature of the group leaves little room for experiment, whereas 1B offered more leeway to the top teams.

The 2015-’16-’17 league titles (Waterford, Clare, Galway) and the 2017-’18 (Galway, Limerick) All-Ireland titles were all won teams from 1B. The main argument against the proposed change is that it’s likely produce some onesided games, involving the likes of Carlow, Offaly, Laois who would be facing stronger opposition.

The CCCC have pointed out the possibility of one-sided games in a changed league and advised counties to reflect on that before reaching a decision on Saturday.

Another change would see quarter-finals cut from four to two.

The second- and third-placed finishers in either group would play each other in quarter-finals, with the winners facing the group winners in the semi-finals.