Allen calls for league overhaul
August 26, 2016
John Allen during his time as Limerick manager.
©INPHO/James Crombie.
John Allen feels the Allianz Hurling League needs to be overhauled if counties outside of Division 1A are to challenge for the Liam MacCarthy Cup in future years.
Writing in the Irish Times, the former Cork and Limerick manager stated: "The structure of this present league, a league where in 1A there is no room for error, doesn't give followers enough games, doesn't give managers much scope for experimentation and is totally stacked in favour of the top six.
"Galway and Limerick have promised intermittently. All the rest, however, are out in the cold. As it stands too many counties are being marginalised. A restructured Allianz Hurling League, with two sections of six (a mixture from the current 1A and 1B) would give a chance to a greater number of teams to play against better opposition.
"As the structure stands counties like Wexford, Offaly, Laois, Carlow, Westmeath and Antrim have very little chance of winning any major trophy.
"As things stand, Kilkenny or Tipperary will win the Liam MacCarthy. Clare (a fairly consistent division one team) won the league. Waterford (1A) have hauled themselves back into contention as a championship contender and, of course, were league champions last year.
"Galway are Galway . Maybe their under-21s will help to keep the flame burning. Dublin have the player base but have issues of their own which prevent them from making the step up. The greatest of those is probably the dual-player conundrum.
"Wexford have shown encouraging flashes over the last few years but it's hard to envisage them beating Kilkenny over the next decade. Limerick have quite a number of top players and the potential to reach that much craved "promised land" . But it's been over 40 years .
"But what about the rest? Surely more meaningful games should be the priority."
He added: "Something needs to be done to give those 'other' counties some kind of a chance of progressing to a higher level which will in turn help to grow the game and ensure it survives to thrill future generations."
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