GAA announces proposals to change hurling championships
The GAA has made public a set of proposals from the Hurling Development Committee to revamp the championship.
The complex proposals involve the introduction of two new open draw stages in the run-up to the quarterfinals.
Losing teams from the first round or semi-finals of the Leinster and Munster championships will join Galway and the beaten Ulster finalists, in an eight team open draw.
The four winners here will join the beaten Munster and Leinster finalists in another six team open draw.
The three winners of these games qualify for the quarterfinals along with the Ulster champions.
As usual, the champions in Minster and Leinster get straight to the semi final. There is also a special provision to guarantee Galway a second game should they lose their game in the first open draw.
The team to beat Galway goes through to the next round, but the names of the three other winners at this stage go into a hat, with one of the teams facing Galway in a play-off before progressing.
The changes come into effect in 2002, if passed by the GAA Congress in April.
