The GAA is considering making changes to the current All-Ireland hurling championship structure, which would see no team relegated from the Liam McCarthy Cup in future years. According to the Irish Independent, the Christy Ring Cup winners would be promoted under the plan, which means that the numbers competing in the top tier could increase by one each year for the foreseeable future. However, the GAA is confident that it will be self-regulating and that counties who find they are not strong enough to compete in the McCarthy Cup will opt to return to the Ring Cup. The Liam McCarthy Cup has been restricted to 12 counties for the past few years with a play-off between the bottom team in the top tier and the Ring Cup winners deciding placings for the following season. A difficulty arose this year after a rule change decreed that the Ring winners (Carlow) were entitled to automatic promotion, which meant that one from Offaly, Wexford, Clare and Antrim was facing relegation from the McCarthy Cup. It led to a major controversy, with Antrim claiming that they had been guaranteed a place in the Leinster championship for a minimum of three years while Offaly, Wexford and Clare were also appalled at the prospect of being barred from McCarthy Cup participation in 2010. Two of the play-offs took place (Clare beat Wexford and Offaly beat Antrim) but the Wexford versus Antrim clash was cancelled after a decision was taken to review the overall structure for 2010. Special Congress voted last month to increase to 13 the numbers competing for McCarthy next year (all the 2009 counties, plus promoted Carlow). It was to be cut to 12 again for 2011 through a relegation play-off but, following consultation with counties, it now seems likely that nobody will make the drop beyond 2012 by means of a relegation play-off. Tweet

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