In a league of its own Ever feel that something is missing from your sporting diary and you are waiting for a competition to seriously take off - well that's the way I feel about the current national hurling league to date. There are very small attendances, no real bite to games and as Joe Dooley described, the games as nothing more than challenge matches - what's gone wrong? Where are the floodlit matches on Friday and Saturday nights that have generated so much hype all over the country? Where are the hurling purists who, once would travel the length and breath of the country to see their team play? Has television taken over, are we too lazy or more importantly, is it now too expensive to go and watch your intercounty team play a match. Now that we are down to the knockout stage and know the teams taking part, with the Cats and Galway waiting in the semi finals, it should generate a lot more interest from the public and participating counties alike. One thing that can be certain though is that Kilkenny and Galway should contest this year's final as both have shown some outstanding form year to date. They have already set down a huge marker as to their intent this year, which is to win everything at all costs no matter what competition it is. They are keen to blood new players certainly to keep the seasoned campaigners on their toes, but more importantly they have shown a much greater hunger for success than anybody else. Maybe the Cork strike has taken the whole good out of the competition because of what happened and that the awarding of points to Waterford and Kilkenny, which was the incorrect decision by GAA headquarters in my view, and I am sure they know that now. Certainly Dublin, Wexford and Antrim can feel very much aggrieved and with relegation looming and results not going their way, they are now without any major game before the championship. When you are trying to build a team and see how they perform at the highest level, it is imperative to reach and play at the most competitive stage possible. The Rebels will be happy with their recent wins but I am certain their management are still not happy at not fulfilling fixtures against Waterford and Kilkenny. Relegation Is there a need for this system? There are only twelve teams competing and relegating four to another division is not helping to promote the game at all. Just because these counties are going through transition periods at the moment but are also giving youth its chance - it is decided to put them into a lower division where there will be little or no profile given to them. They will not play against the best opposition and there will be much smaller crowds. A talented player within the county squad could very easily make up his mind that hurling is not for him and play another sport. Can we as an organisation afford to let Wexford, Offaly and the other fall from grace so easily? Why not promote the next two teams from the next division and give a commitment to keep them for two years. We should use it as an opportunity to play against the best but also enhance the profile and stature of the game within the county. Football is strong in all counties and relegation is not an issue as there are very strong divisions, but hurling is working from a much smaller pool. Remember, this is not championship but only the national league and the same status quo would remain come championship. In my mind there should be no relegation in hurling for a period of two or three years as we should be putting a uniformed effort into keeping the game alive rather than letting it die. All Ireland Club Final There is every reason for Ger Loughnane to smile at this stage of the year and even though it is early days yet, he has to be impressed by the performance of Portumna on club final day against Birr. We all knew what a star Joe Canning is in the making and knew about the pace and scoring ability of Damien Hayes but what sent a shiver down my spine was the overall strength and quality of hurling of the so called weaker players. From no 1 to 15 they looked the most accomplished team I have seen for a long time - players that have the potential to make a lot of intercounty teams but more than likely will not get a look in with Galway this year. That's the strength of Galway hurling at the moment and this is not taking from the achievements of Birr in making it to the final and giving us a memorable game to watch. It does set the standard for me as club manager and others all over the country on how a club team should play on the greatest day and biggest showcase for emerging talent. I take my hat off to Portumna and congratulate them on a great victory . Impressive Cats Going for three in a row of All-Ireland titles is not going to be easy but at this early stage, they have shown they have the talent available within the county to step up to the plate and make the grade. Players like Michael Rice, Michael Fennelly and Richie Hogan are seriously knocking on the door for inclusion come championship time and if they keep performing the way they are now, Brian Cody will have no hesitation in playing them and leaving out some established player. It is the only way he knows and it is the way which has put them in this position for so many years. If a players lets his guard down, they may not get the chance again. Maybe the Tribesmen are thinking differently now but all pundits are heading in the direction of the Marble city - talk soon - tomas Tweet

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