Conway condemns "mental" plans to end League hurling for Leitrim hurlers despite County Board support for new structure

Never once to mince his words, Olcan Conway has described GAA plans to exclude Leitrim hurlers from the 2025 Allianz Hurling League as “mental” in an interview with GAA website HoganStand.ie.

The new proposals which will see counties who boast fewer than five hurling clubs no longer take part in the Allianz Hurling League with an expanded Lory Meagher Cup competition to cater for them has met with mixed reaction, with administrators supporting it but others, like Olcan Conway, strongly opposing the decision.

Speaking to HoganStand.ie (link to story HERE), Conway said of the plans “It’s just mental. I don’t think people realise how detrimental to hurling in these counties this proposal is. We all want GDAs and proper coaching, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of the players that are there. Why should they be punished in this way?”

Time to plan and act is now

THE LAST POINT

The proposal from Croke Park to end League hurling for Leitrim, Cavan, Louth, Fermanagh and Longford from 2025 comes as the CCCC, after consultation with all five counties, are recommending that any county with less than five hurling clubs be excluded from the newly structured Allianz Leagues.

Any money saved would then be ring-fenced according to the CCCC for hurling development at juvenile level involving the funding of coaching and equipment.

According to the Irish Independent (Link HERE), Leitrim GAA County Board Secretary Declan Bohan said that the Board agree “in principle” with the proposal, adding “We need more clubs feeding in so it’s worth trying … if the game is to flourish it has to start at club level.”

However, Olcan Conway has called for more funding to protect the sport: ““We have to protect the players and the clubs that are there. There hasn’t been a full-time hurling GDA in Leitrim for nearly 10 years. We’ve been crying out for one ever since, but it’s fallen on deaf ears. The lack of foresight by Croke Park on this is incredible.”