The GAA’s proposals to revamp the structure of the National Hurling League from 2025 could see Leitrim being one of five lower tier counties to be excluded from the competition.
Croke Park’s Central Competitions Control Committee is recommending that any county with fewer than five adult hurling teams should compete in the fifth-tier Lory Meagher Cup only from 2025 onwards.
If the proposal is accepted at Central Council’s December meeting, it would see five counties, including Leitrim and Fermanagh, confined to the Lory Meatgher Cup competition, reducing their inter-county season from six to three months.
The other three months would see an increased focus placed on hurling development in those counties.
Packages would be put in place to help increase number of adult hurlers and teams in those counties.
More coaches will be provided to schools and clubs, with a number of start-up grants also available.
Leitrim used to have five adult hurling clubs – now it’s down to just two – county champions Carrick Hurling and Cluainin Iomaint in the north of the county.
Under the new proposals, once counties increase the number of adult clubs, they would be re-admitted to the national hurling league.
Louth, Fermanagh, Cavan and Longford, who all currently have three adult hurling clubs or less, are also affected by the new proposals.
The plans have been criticised by Leitrim senior hurling boss Olcan Conway.
The proposed changes do not affect Sligo in Division 3A – the Yeats County currently has seven adult hurling clubs.
