CCCC pass buck with confusion over qualifiers; HURLING SHAMBLES.

Byline: PAT NOLAN 

CONFUSION reigns regarding the hurling relegation play-offs as the CCCC yesterday passed the buck on to the GAA's Management Committee.

The relegation semi-final pairings of Offaly v Antrim and Clare v Wexford were pencilled in for this weekend but with a three-year guarantee apparently given to the Saffrons as to their participation in the Leinster SHC, the CCCC yesterday discussed whether the games should go ahead at all.

In the end, they decided to refer the matter to Management, who are due to meet this Saturday. In the meantime the two relegation semi-finals are deferred until July 25.

In theory the two losers are to play the relegation final to determine who makes the drop to the Christy Ring Cup for 2010 but it may yet be that the play-offs will be scrapped with Ring Cup winners Carlow in a 13-team top flight next year.

But the GAA fudge has added to the frustration in the counties involved, especially as club fixtures must also now be put on hold.

Antrim joint-boss Dominic McKinley blasted: "It's causing bother to the clubs, who want their players back and quite rightly so. You could imagine what they're saying, what the hell is going on here? Can someone not make a decision? That's out of our hands."

Although the matter has been put on the long finger until the weekend, McKinley (inset) is of the opinion that a decision is already made.

"Those decisions are always made and they put it back a week and say that's when it's going to be made."

He also called for "common sense" to prevail and that a 13-team format should be put in place for next year.

"They should go with the teams that are in it plus Carlow. I would say at this moment in time, being honest, Antrim are slight favourites to go down. What would happen if Antrim beat one of these teams? There would be an outcry.

"The common sense factor has to come into it now and the answer is to leave it the way it is and get on with it next year and if they want to put something concrete in place next year do that, but don't start meddling now."

Wexford boss Colm Bonnar yesterday echoed McKinley's views. He said: "We're trying to promote the game and play at a high level, we were beaten narrowly by Limerick and Dublin and yet the powers that be want to see ourselves, Clare or Offaly get relegated? It would be crazy if one of those teams went down."

Meanwhile the phase three qualifiers have been set as a double header in Thurles this Saturday. Niall Moran is definitely out of the Limerick team for the meeting with Laois at 5pm, with Brian Geary and Donal O'Grady doubtful.

Ollie Canning's availability for Galway's clash with Cork remains in question after he suffered blurred vision in the win over Clare on Saturday. SHC PHASE 3 QUALIFIERS, JULY 18: Limerick v Laois, 5pm; Cork v Galway, 7pm (both at Semple Stadium).

CAPTION(S):

MOVE Antrim played in Leinster and the Ulster final v Down