Tipperary hurling captain Noel McGrath is against controversial and 'divisive' CCCC proposal

In recent weeks the proposal has been made to exclude Longford and four other counties from the National Hurling League from 2025 onwards.

The GPA and many intercounty hurling captains, including Noel McGrath, have come down strongly on the side of the five affected counties.

The proposal has knock on effects that, down the line, may affect clubs in counties where hurling or football is not as strong and popular as the other sport and may in turn, lead to less games being played in many areas. 

Gaelic football is not played in many parts of Tipperary, hurling is not played in many parishes nationwide. Amateur sports are important to localities. 

Currently this issue is an intercounty one and, dealing with the scenario at hand, the affected counties have now organised themselves and released a statement today in relation to the proposal.

Here is the statement in full:

"We, the undersigned, are calling on the CCCC of the GAA, to withdraw the proposal that would see five counties excluded from the National Hurling League from 2025 onwards.

"It has become clear that the consultation referred to in the proposal was not conducted with the right people or with the correct information being discussed.  

"This is clearly the case given that four of the five county boards involved are now publicly on the record calling for the proposal to be rejected. The players and management in Leitrim also want to see it rejected. 

"Given that is the case, we believe it is in the best interests of everyone that the proposal be withdrawn.  It is clearly divisive and while that may not have been the intention, it does nothing for the development of hurling.

"If the CCCC does not see fit to withdraw the proposal, we call on all County Boards to ensure their Central Council delegates vote it down and help us instead to grow the game we all love.

"What the proposal has sparked is a conversation about the health of the game north of the much talked about Galway to Dublin line.   

"We believe an opportunity has now emerged to really tackle the issue.  Therefore we, the undersigned, have all committed to engaging with county boards, the provincial councils, the GAA’s CCCC and Central Council and anyone else who is interested in the health of hurling, to develop a plan to grow hurling within our counties and in other areas across Ireland where it is struggling.   

"We will work with anyone and everyone constructively to secure the future of the game.  That is our commitment."

Signed: 

Lisbellaw St.Patrick’s, Erne Gaels Belleek, Lisnaskea Emmett’s, Fermanagh Senor Hurling Panel, Fermanagh Manager Joe Baldwin

Mullahoran St Joseph’s HC, Cootehill Celtic, East Cavan Gaels, Cavan Senior Hurling Panel, Cavan Management – Ollie Bellew and Tomás Mannion

Carrick Hurling Club, Leitrim Senior Hurling Panel, Leitrim Manager Olcan Conway

Knockbridge HC, Naomh Moninne HC, St Fechin’s, Louth Senor Hurling Panel

Longford Slashers HC, Wolfe Tones, Clonguish Gaels, Longford Senior Hurling Panel, Longford Manager Adrian Moran

Captains of Liam MacCarthy Teams in 2023: Eoghan Campbell (Antrim), Lee Chin (Wexford), Eoin Cody (Kilkenny), Seán O’Donoghue (Cork), Noel McGrath (Tipperary), Eoghan O’Donnell (Dublin), Dáíthí Burke (Galway), Tony Kelly (Clare), Paul Doyle (Carlow), Jamie Barron & Stephen Bennett (Waterford Joint Captains), Declan Hannon (Limerick)

The National Executive Committee of the Gaelic Players Association.