LIMERICK GAA was dealt two cruel blows this week as the Limerick Under 21’s crashed out of the All Ireland and the GAA Central Council decided to restructure the National Hurling League, placing Limerick in Division 1B, effectively relegating the Shannonsiders from the top table before a ball was pucked.
Limerick, who won the National Hurling League Division 2 title last season, will now face Wexford, Offaly, Clare, Laois and Antrim instead of the top tier of hurling like Kilkenny and Tipperary.
The decision was made by the Central Council and once more seems to be a decision made without much thought and/or planning.
The aforementioned Central Council has chosen the recommendation of the National Hurling Development Work Group and created four top divisions of six teams for the 2012 Allianz Hurling League.
There were three options available to them, but it was decided to go for the one favoured by the GAA’s own Development Work Group
This decision now means that the hurling competition will only have five rounds instead of last year’s seven, meaning that it could be March before the competition even begins.
The top two teams in each division will contest the final with only one team being promoted from each division.
Relegation from the groups will be decided by a playoff between the bottom two sides in each group, with the loser of that playoff being sent down.
The new groupings are:
Division 1A
Kilkenny, Dublin, Waterford, Tipperary, Galway, Cork
Division 1B
Wexford, Offaly, Limerick, Clare, Laois, Antrim
Division 2A
Down, Carlow, Kerry, Westmeath, Wicklow, Derry
Division 2B
London, Kildare, Meath, Armagh, Mayo, Roscommon
Division 3A
Louth, Fingal, Donegal, Sligo, Monaghan and Tyrone
The decision has baffled Limerick supporters who rightly feel that their day in the top league has been taken away from them. The decision to penalise the Division 2 champions just goes to show the regard Croke Park has for it’s players, managers and loyal fans.
Decisions like these can be the ruination of a perfectly good sport. As it is, the GAA in Limerick and hurling in particular, needs to be supported as much as possible, not penalised. The fact that Limerick is a dual county should also be a factor. The county board promote all facets of the GAA and this is how they are rewarded? Complete nonsense.
In some good news, the Central Council has avoided the temptation to fiddle with the layout of the Allianz Football League. In using up all their wisdom it seems, they have decided to leave the current four divisions of eight teams in place.
A proposal was in place to change the current setup of the top two divisions, replacing Divisions 1 and 2 with two groups randomly made up of the top 16 teams. It was decided this however, to keep the current format with semi-finals now introduced in Division 1 only.
The decision for Limerick to be in Division 1B of the hurling league was made on the same day that Limerick under 21’s were beaten in the Bord Gais Energy All Ireland semi final in Thurles. Leo O’Connor’s side were defeated 0-22 to 2-14 in a game where Limerick always seemed to be chasing Galway.
The performance of Niall Burke for Galway, (seven points from play) was a joy to behold, but a flat looking Limerick side might still have won the game, if they had taken their chances.
The under 21 side faced the same demons that the senior side faced in their championship exit. Wides. One wide is too many, but Limerick’s poor shot decisions will be rued.
All in all, the season can be seen as a success. A Munster title for Limerick is a massive feat and with 11 under age again for next season, the revival of Limerick hurling at this level is well and truly on.
This weekend, the under 21 and senior players will look to get over their disappointment in recent weeks by lining out for their clubs. On Saturday, Ahane play Adare at 18.30 in the Gaelic Grounds, while on the same day, Doon take on Na Piarsaigh in Kilmallock at 14.00.
On Sunday, Kilmallock take on Patrickswell in Bruff at 18:30, while at 15.45 in Kilmallock, Emmets take on Hospital Herbertstown in the final quarter final.
In the intermediate championship, Glenroe, (winners over Kileedy) and Dromin Athlaca, (winners over Monaleen) will wait and see who they will face in the semi finals. The last two remaining quarter finals take place this weekend. On Friday night, Effin take on Newcastlewest in Feenagh, while on Saturday night, Ballybrown take on Kildimo in Claughaun.
For all the times and venues for this weekend’s GAA action, log on to www.limerickgaa.ie
LIMERICK versus Galway: A Murphy; A Dempsey, P Begley, S O’Reilly; J O’Brien, C Hayes, T O’Callaghan; C Allis (0-1), S O’Brien (0-1); S Dowling (2-5, 1-0 pen, five frees), N Kennedy (0-1), D Hannon (0-4, one sideline); G Mulcahy (0-1), K Downes, M Ryan. Subs: M Carmody for Downes (29 mins), K O’Donnell (0-1) for Kennedy (49 mins), W Griffin for Ryan, B O’Connell for Dempsey (both 50 mins).
