Congress says yes and no...

SIX teams will compete in the Leinster Hurling Championship from next year – with no relegation taking place from it this season.

Motion 59 was passed at at the GAA’s Annual Congress yesterday with a Yes vote of 95%. Carlow, Laois, Westmeath, Offaly and Kilkenny all spoke in favour of the motion.

Carlow chairman Sean Campion said: “There is a huge difference in the Championship as it stands at the minute.

“If you take the five counties in Munster, they’re entrenched, the bottom team is not relegated, whereas in Leinster with the five teams the bottom team is relegated.

“If we persist with the grade as it is, we’re ending up with a yo-yo situation where teams are going up and down. You need at least two years at the highest level to improve.”

Meanwhile, the black card and sin bin will not be introduced to hurling to combat potential cynical play.

The motion was heavily defeated, with 82% of delegates voting against it.

Among other key motions to be voted down were the introduction of two points for scoring from a sideline cut in hurling, increasing club matches from 60 to 70 minutes and All-Ireland semi-finals going to replays after 70 minutes with no extra-time.

One of the key motions to be approved was that Croke Park no longer has to be one of the neutral venues used in the Super 8s, meaning Dublin could play two matches away from GAA headquarters if they reach that stage of the Championship.

The motion to amend the advanced mark rule passed with 90% approvals, which means defenders will now have the right to tackle players who catch the ball in the small or large square but do not claim the mark.

A number of motions regarding U20 and college GAA were withdrawn to be heard again at a Special Congress in September.

NO BLACK CARD Hurling will not see it introduced