A motion which goes before GAA Congress next weekend aims to change the number of teams in each tier of the hurling championship.
Motion 59, which has been submitted by the Leinster Council, proposes that there be no relegation from the Leinster SHC in 2020.
If a non-Munster team wins the Joe McDonagh Cup, it would increase the number of teams in the Leinster round robin from five to six in future.
This could alleviate the current situation which sees developing counties like Carlow, Laois and Westmeath yo-yo between the Leinster round robin and the Joe McDonagh Cup. Instead, it would see at least one of them remain in hurling's top tier for more than a year and, in theory, aid their development.
The Munster Championship format would remain unchanged. If Kerry win the Joe McDonagh Cup, as currently stands, they would face off against the Munster SHC's bottom team for a place in the following year's championship.
The motion also proposes changes for 2020 which would see every tier below the Liam MacCarthy Cup realigned so that six teams are in each of the Joe McDonagh, Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups.
Motions require two-thirds of delegates to vote in favour for them to be passed. This year's GAA Congress takes place on February 28th and 29th. It will also see the next president of the association elected.
Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
