Nickey Brennan has lashed out at counties who are opposed to the HDC proposals to restructure the All-Ireland hurling championship. The GAA president has hit out at officials who had been "narrow-minded" in their opposition to the proposals, saying their rejection would mean Antrim "being thrown to the wolves again". Dublin and Wexford have already rejected plans to add Galway and Antrim to next year's Leinster championship, while a number of other counties in the province are expected to follow suit in the coming days. Brennan said: "There's no doubt that the Leinster championship needs some invigorating at the moment. It is simply not performing and by bringing Antrim and Galway in we feel that would significantly help it. "We know some counties have taken views but we feel that these views are very much selfish views. We feel that for the overall good of hurling it is absolutely imperative that the proposals be adopted at Special Congress. "I should also say if they are defeated, I cannot see any other proposals coming from a central body. In the future if the matter is to be addressed, some county is going to have to bring proposals because we have been at this for a long number of years. "I was there from day one when the back door came in and we have been working towards making it a fairer system. We believe this goes a long way towards making it a fairer, a more competitive and a more balanced system.'' Suggesting that Antrim have potential "to be on the hurling map", he wants to see them being given a fair chance. And, as far as Galway are concerned, he said he couldn't see any disadvantage in it for them, adding: "The players and team managers have spoken to me over the last number of years and are crying out for inclusion in the Leinster championship. I would appeal to Galway in advance of Congress to start making their feelings known and support this particular motion. We feel it is absolutely critical. "We feel they have been out in the wilderness. The current situation is we don't see the Galway players until sometime in July. Imagine having to lock away from the public the likes of Joe Canning, who is one of their star hurlers. We want to keep him under wraps until July when we could have him out in May or June playing in championship competitions and raising the profile of hurling." Tweet

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