A new 10-team hurling league format could help struggling businesses survive the recession, according to Clare boss Davy Fitzgerald.

Besides the potential to raise the standard of hurling, Fitzgerald reckons there would be economic benefits attached to increasing the hurling league top flight from six teams to 10.

"Imagine Tipp going to Wexford, or Kilkenny going to Offaly, in the National League," he said to the Irish Daily Star.

"I can guarantee they'll be some differences in attendances, more teams enjoying coming to the bigger counties.

"Even for businesses. We're in a recession and there are so many effects.

"And I would do it now. A lot of people would say that because Cork went down it will change.

"Other people will stay because Cork went down it definitely won't change, because it will be seen as them changing it.

"But forget about that stuff, the politics and let's just change it (to a 10-team league)."

The two-time Banner County All-Ireland winning goalkeeper says that the future of hurling should be left in the hands of traditional hurling counties.

"I know there were new (championship) proposals put out there, and they got buried fairly quickly.

"You'd still like to retain the Munster championship. But round robin after that? Maybe.

"A lot of counties that don't have much interest are voting on this, and I'd say it straight out, I don't agree with that." Tweet

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