National Hurling Leagues 2026

All hail Clare and their nobility! Did you not hear Lohan moaning over an albeit bizarre black card decision at the weekend? Poor "Clare again" he said. And that after a win.

I don't even have a problem with him highlighting it btw but don't give me this "in Clare we just get on with it" rubbish.

Hurling has a bit of a refereeing problem and it's certainly not just the referees are to blame. There's too much randomness in refereeing both within games and even more so from game to game, league to championship etc. The result is moaning and whataboutery on all sides. Everyone wants to see the game flow making it completely impossible to enforce the rules as they are so I don't really know what the solution is.

The new football rules can make hurling look very stop start now as a spectacle. I don't have the stat but I'd say the ball in play time was very low in the 1A final at the weekend

I don’t like the throwing and all teams do it.
but if you want to clamp down heavy on the throw ball you will need to bring in a rule like hand pass off your Hurley all you will get is players being swarmed in possession and not being able to move the ball and that is actually for me a worse result.

And? Sure it might teach a lad to avoid contact then. Its par for the course in football that a player gets swarmed for overdoing it with the ball (after opposition set a trap), but the world hasn't caved in. In fact the rule changes have revolutionised the game.

Anyone who has played hurling knows that it is very easy especially in the modern game to swarm players.

There was a trial a few years back on the handpass off the hurley and it was clear that players tried to avoid contact knowing that there was no easy overhead or under hand throw like pass available to him. No player in possession deserves to throw a ball away when bottled up, it makes a mockery of the skills of our game.

I've said it before, all technical fouls should be indirect frees. Then you'll see the refs pull for more foul handpassing as its not giving a team a score. If he gets it wrong its not as big a deal. It also means more time for ball in play which is what we all want.

Very good idea, indirect frees. Fine in the backs as will go upfield but what if you get an indirect free in the full forward line, will probably end up going backwards like football.

I do think that Limerick are more skilful than other teams. As such, they would benifit most if a definite striking action of a handpass was imposed. It takes no skill to throw the ball. The GAA need to grow a pair of balls

Could give it as a direct free if inside the 21

Ruling out 2 consecutive handpasses would be an easy rule to implement.

Possibly ruling out more than 2 or 3 players from each team joining a ruck might cut down on the duration of these? Maybe make an exception if you are inside the 13 metre line.

To showcase hurling to the yanks?

Its worth a try i think. Why not? There's no negatives i can think of bar club championship in 2 counties being on hold for that weekend.

Gaa always get stick for being stuck inthe past or not being innovative. I applaud them for the idea alone

Then they may forget it, anything after the all Ireland final is going to be a total after thought, to fans and players. Would be a Mickey mouse game.

For the teams involved, it would be seen as a type of exhibition game outside of the normal inter-county season. But it can still be marketed as a "proper" game.

What harm, I'd be happy enough for them to try it.

Bring them all to a stage if the Ryder Cup and I'm sure plenty of player will sign up. Charge a token fee for the tickets to get people in the door. Still might end up empty though.

Just reading now that the proposal is for the Tuesday before the Ryder Cup which sounds kinda daft.