Limerick have threatened to boycott next year's NHL if the decision to change its structure isn't reversed.

The decision by Central Council in August to approve a proposal to overhaul the competition into groups of six has angered the eight counties who would have been assured of a place in Division 1 next year under the old format, with Limerick and Wexford particularly frustrated as they are the biggest losers in the new system.

The new format will come up for discussion when Central Council meets again on November 12, but in the meantime, Limerick are adamant that they will not entertain six-group divisions under any circumstances.

"It was discussed at our last county board meeting where clearance was given to pursue change and, if that was not forthcoming, withdraw from the league," Limerick secretary Mike O'Riordan told the Irish Independent.

"We participated in the 2011 Division 2 league in good faith. It clearly states in the rules that if we won Division 2 we would be promoted. That's not the case now.

"If that change was brought in for 2013, with a year's notice, then we wouldn't have had an issue. At least then everyone would know what was at stake. Limerick people see this as an awful kick in the teeth."

Speaking yesterday, GAA director-general Padraic Duffy suggested a compromise could be reached on the NHL row.

He said: "The problem with hurling that everybody accepts is that there are eight, maybe 10, strong teams.

"The next two teams are a problem so they were trying to accommodate sides who would not be competing against the Corks and the Tipperarys or Kilkennys but at a level slightly below that. The eight counties wanted to play against each other, so it's very hard to reconcile those issues.

"I can understand where they're coming from and at the moment we haven't found a way of reconciling that. But I wouldn't rule out the possibility of making some kind of compromise yet." Tweet

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