Leinster League to add to headaches
WEXFORD C.C.C.C. members will face another headache in their efforts to get through the domestic fixtures list with the news that the Leinster Club Hurling League is to take precedence over all local games.
Sixteen clubs are involved in first round games at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 27, with the second and third rounds down for decision on Monday, April 5, and Saturday, April 17, respectively. The quarter-finals are on Saturday, April 24, with semi-finals on Monday, May 3, and final dates yet to be announced.
It immediately removes several potential dates for All-County League matches from the calendar and increases pressure on the C.C.C.C. who have a difficult task at the best of times.
For the second year running, Wexford has the highest entry in the Leinster Leagues, with Askamore, Buffers Alley, Marshalstown-Castledockrell, Shelmaliers, Cloughbawn, Rapparees, Oylegate-Glenbrien, Monageer-Boolavogue, Blackwater, Davidstown-Courtnacuddy, Oulart-The Ballagh Intermediates, Rathnure, Shamrocks, Geraldine O'Hanrahans, Rathgarogue-Cushinstown and Taghmon-Camross.
And all 16 clubs face a very busy weekend as they have been fixed to play local league games on Sunday after being involved in the start of the provincial series just 24 hours earlier.
A total of 96 clubs are included in the Leinster series, with the remainder coming from Dublin (12), Westmeath (12), Laois (11), Wicklow (11), Offaly (nine), Kilkenny (nine), Meath (six), Louth (five), Carlow (four) and Kildare (one).
Each team is guaranteed three games, and the winners from all eight Division 1 groups will progress to the quarterfinals.
In Divisions 2 and 3, the winners from all six groups will qualify. Two teams (drawn from a hat) will receive a bye to the semi-finals, with the remaining four teams taking part in open draw quarter-finals.
Given the clear efforts of the organisers to enhance the standing of this competition, it will be interesting to see if they make any attempt to send results to the local press - unlike previous years when absolutely no information was supplied and the P.R. from the Leinster Council was non-existent.
Indeed, the situation was so poor last year that this newspaper wasn't even informed of the fixture for a final which was played in D.C.U. and won by the Oulart-The Ballagh Intermediate team. While the C.C.C.C. will have to work around this competition, it's to be hoped that the provincial organisers will get their act together and keep the public informed via the local press.
