Another year, another hurling manager complaining about league structures

TJ Ryan was too mad with the referee, so it was left to Davy Fitzgerald to have a moan.

Despite his Clare side dragging themselves out of Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League, Fitzgerald has called for the "whole structure to be changed". Again. It was Limerick who missed out in 2012 when, having topped then then Division 2 a year earlier, they were stranded in the second tier when the top flight was reduced from eight to six teams. Next year will be Limerick's seventh straight season in the second division and it is certainly stunting their development. This spring's Division 1A was very exciting, with teams still jockeying for positions going into the final game. Either Galway or Cork will take Clare's place in the lower tier after a relegation play-off. The league seems more streamlined, even if Division 1B teams like Offaly, Wexford and Laois appear to be stagnating somewhat. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/711650518393872384 However speaking after his side's 1-19 to 0-18 win in Cusack Park, Fitzgerald seemed to speak out against the concept of relegation - at least of some teams. “I still think the whole structure should be changed. I don’t believe ourselves and Limerick should have been down there," said the Clare manager. “I would love to see more teams in Division 1A. It’s a no-brainer as far as I’m concerned. I would encourage them to look at that again. Let’s have more teams up there.” Ryan, the man stranded in Division 1B for 2017, was still focusing on what he saw as the crucial decision - namely referee Fergal Horgan's decision to allow John Conlon's first-minute goal to stand. "He took 15 steps - don’t be asking me, there is no point. The referee blew the whistle and he took 15 steps and sticks the ball in the back of the net - don’t be looking to me for the decision, ye know the score,” said a furious Limerick manager.