Automatic subs for second yellows, squad numbers and a new body for refs; the Hurling 2020 report is out

After a long process, the latest body to examine hurling has released their report

The sport that seems to be under constant review, hurling, has yet another body publish its opinion on the state of the game today. The Hurling 2020 group, chaired by former Tipp boss Liam Sheedy, have unveiled their proposals for the game and a number of them would be interesting to say the least. The most eye catching is the idea that a second yellow card would not result in a red card. Instead, after the second yellow, the player would still go off, but a replacment would be allowed on. The report states that Overall, as a committee we feel that a) hurling is not a cynical game, b) we are best served where the game is 15 v 15 and c) the impact on underage players being sent off for two bookable offences is putting an unfair pressure on the individuals given the consequence of their team-mates being down a player Another idea would be the introduction of a seperate referees body for hurling. Currently all GAA referees are administered under one umbrella, and that has always been led by a football referee thus far. As they are diufferent sports, a seperate referee body makes sense to us. The proposal to change hurling penalties to one-on-ones was well flagged and pops us here and an advantage rule, similar to the one in football, has also been floated. The National League, of course, has also been looked at and an idea that the promotion relegation playoffs be scrapped is in the recommendations. So too is that the Christy Ring Cup winner goes straight into the Leinster Round Robin and no longer would have to play, and beat, the lowest Leinster Round Robin loser to get in. The Christy Ring final would also be played on All Ireland final day. Finally, and long overdue, they say squad numbers should be introduced to Liam McCarthy teams at the start of the campaign In total, 15 proposals will go before Congress next month and you can check them all out here.