Longford hurler Johnny Casey hits out at proposal to exclude five counties from the National League

And he has described the proposal, discussed at last weekend’s Central Council meeting, as a “cost-cutting exercise dressed up as something else”.

Under the plan devised by the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) in consultation with officials in five counties – Fermanagh, Cavan, Leitrim, Louth and Longford – counties with fewer than five operational adult hurling clubs would sit out the league with the money saved from preparations and expenses redirected to coaching and development in an attempt to grow the game.

The CCCC estimated in a presentation, which will be voted on at the December meeting, that it took around €1m to prepare the senior hurling team in those five counties, and that a saving that would cut the season in half would bolster coaching projects and equipment provision.

The five counties would instead focus on a Lory Meagher or Nickey Rackard Cup campaign.

But it has faced a backlash from players, with Casey, who started with Longford as a 17-year-old and now has a career spanning 18 years, saying it’s “disrespectful” to all involved.

“This wouldn’t happen at any other level, getting rid of a hurling league division. You use the league to prepare for the championship. So many players in established counties benefit from that pathway.”

Casey hurls with Longford Slashers (his native club is St Brigid’s Killashee), one of three adult clubs in Longford along with Wolfe Tones (Mostrim) and Clonguish Gaels.