The row over UCD's participation in the Dublin senior hurling championship has escalated after the captains of seven senior clubs in the capital issued a statement calling for third level institutions to be barred from competing in the championship. The issue of UCD's involvement in the championship has sharply divided opinion. But the intervention of the club captains, on behalf of their squads, has brought the debate to a new level. The seven captains - Ray Mangan (Kilmacud Crokes), Sean Power (Commercials), Johnny McGuirk (Craobh Chiarain), Brendan McLoughlin (O'Toole's), Trevor McGrath (Faughs), Risteard Brennan (St. Vincent's) and Emmet Carroll (Ballyboden St. Enda's) - have threatened to withdraw services and not participate in 2006 if the status quo remains. The statement, which was forwarded to the Dublin county board, read: "On behalf of their clubs, the captains of the clubs listed on the attached sheet wish to bring to the attention of the Dublin county board that all players are united in their demand that all third level institutions no longer be 'invited' to participate in the Dublin senior hurling championship. "In particular, the players of the clubs in question will give serious consideration to their non-participation in the 2006 senior hurling championship should any third level institutions be re-invited." Tweet

Most Read Stories