North League to replace championship in 2020

 

By Shane Brophy

The officers of the North Tipperary GAA Board have reaffirmed their decision not to play the divisional senior hurling championship this year.

A meeting of the North Board CCC last Friday night was convened to discuss growing pressure from clubs to play the championship, even without county players who are in preparation for their championship.

However, they stayed with their original decision not to play the championship on the basis it would be demeaned without the Tipperary players, despite the fact the other three divisions are playing their championships with the South and West getting underway next weekend.

North Board chairman Mike Flynn revealed that not all clubs were still keen on playing for various issues, including having stopped training as well management having stepped away after the county championships.

The North Board did, however, decide to relaunch the Hogan Cup, the old North Tipperary Senior Hurling League, in its place to provide games for clubs into the month of October. The format of the competition has still to be confirmed until the number of clubs that will take part are known. Clubs have until 6.00pm this evening (Wednesday) to confirm their interest in playing. 

As a sweetener, the North Bord have put forward a prize-fund of €1,500 with €1,000 going to the winning club and €500 for the runner-up.
There is still a possibility that the North Intermediate Championship could still be played in the four clubs involved, Ballinahinch, Borrisokane, Moneygall and Shannon Rovers all agree to play.

Under 21
It was confirmed at a County CCC meeting on Monday night that the club under 21 championship will go ahead, however, putting dates on it are proving difficult with the senior, under 20 and minor inter-county championships beginning in mid October.

Currently, Jake Morris, Craig Morgan, Jerome Cahill and Bryan O’Mara are all on the Tipperary senior panel which would impact on the Under 21 ‘A’ Championship being played with speculation that it could be started but completed in early 2021.

However, the under 21 ‘B’ championship isn’t as impacted by senior inter-county and is likely to get underway in the divisions next month.