Fermanagh have slammed a GAA proposal which would seen them removed from the National Hurling League.

The proposal, which would see five counties with less than five clubs have no competitive hurling until the Championship, will be voted on at a Central Council meeting on December 2.

Fermanagh, Cavan, Leitrim, Longford and Louth would all exit the League if the new plans are passed, but they now appear doomed to failure.

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In a statement released this morning Fermanagh GAA said they were “shocked and disappointed” at the proposals as they urged all counties to reject them.

They also stated that they were not appropriately consulted by the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC), which came up with the plan.

There has been widespread condemnation of the plan across hurling with very little public support.

Part of the plan is to reinvest the money saved in grassroots hurling but there have been doubts raised about whether this would happen or not.

There have also been allegations of penny pinching with many feeling that some counties don’t want to pay player expenses in the weakest hurling counties.

But Fermanagh’s statement, after a meeting with a group of their county players and managements goes, against these sentiments.

It read: “Fermanagh GAA wish to put on record our shock and disappointment at the proposals.

“We do not concur that we were appropriately consulted on a proposal of this magnitude to remove Fermanagh from the Allianz Hurling League prior to them being presented at the Ard Chomhairle meeting of November 4.

“Fermanagh GAA have worked extremely hard with our small base of volunteers over the last number of years to develop sustainable hurling structures to allow the game to grow and flourish.

“This year along with our seven underage clubs we have three adult clubs participating in Championships.

“Along with our well-established hurling club of Lisbellaw St.Patrick’s, we were able to recommence our Junior Hurling Championship with Erne Gaels winning over Lisnaskea Emmetts.

“These are small but important steps in the growth of hurling in Fermanagh, which we will continue to work hard to grow further.”

Fermanagh GAA went on to state they were “extremely proud” of their senior hurling team’s achievements in recent years.

The Erne County won the Division 3B League title and promotion in 2022, while they also landed Lory Meagher Cups in 2021 and 2015, as well as reaching three finals (2020, 2014 and 2012).

This year Fermanagh retained their Nickey Rackard Cup status.

The statement continued: “We also note the outstanding performance of Luca McCusker, representing Ireland, in the recent Shinty International with Scotland.

“The success of our county hurling team has helped excite and encourage future generations of hurlers.

“This was clearly demonstrated on Sunday February 12 in Ederney, following our hurlers win against Mayo in the League, with scores of young fans seeking autographs and photos with their county heroes.

“To deny our hurlers the opportunity to represent their county on fewer occasions than other counties would be a travesty and detrimental to the development of hurling in Fermanagh.

“We call for a serious discussion on hurling resources within the smaller counties and again ask for a fairer distribution of funding to support hurling in Fermanagh.”

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