Inter‑provincial hurling tournament to trial experimental rules in December

The GAA and the John Meyler‑chaired hurling expert advisory group plan to revive the inter‑provincial hurling tournament in early December to showcase a suite of experimental rules.

The weekend of televised games is likely to be staged at Semple Stadium in Thurles, with the new rules – including a ban on successive hand‑passes, puck‑outs that must clear the 40‑metre line and two‑point sidelines – being trialled in Division 1 third‑level matches from 22 October.

Third‑level fixtures feature University of Galway v University of Limerick, TUS Mid‑West v ATU Galway, MTU Cork v UCC, SETU Waterford v Mary Immaculate College, UCD v Maynooth and others, with group stages ending on 5 November, quarter‑finals the week of 16 November, semi‑finals the following week and the final scheduled for the week of 30 November.

The advisory group also wants senior inter‑county players to experience the rules as soon as possible, and the GAA has indicated support for the end‑of‑year games. Gate receipts or donations from the matches are intended for charity.

If the trial is deemed successful, the experimental rules could be introduced in the Munster Senior Hurling League and Leinster’s Walsh Cup from January, pending a permanent vote by the GAA Congress in Wexford at the end of February.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: George Zografidis / Pexels.