Offaly fail to win reprieve

Central Council Meeting: Offaly will play in Division Two of next season's National Hurling League. This was confirmed at Saturday's meeting of Central Council when a motion from the county to extend Division One to nine teams failed.

Offaly did receive the support of the meeting on a vote of 23-17 but a two-thirds majority was needed as the motion entailed reversing a previous decision of Central Council.

Offaly manager John McIntyre said yesterday: "I am devastated by this. We got the players together and talked about it this morning and everyone was determined this setback wouldn't affect our preparation for the championship."

Also on Saturday, Limerick clinched the ninth and final place in the 2008 Division One by defeating Laois in a play-off.

Liam Keane, secretary of the Disputes Resolution Authority, reported on their work in 2006. Thirty seven cases were heard with just seven successful and 27 unsuccessful. Two were settled and the remaining one withdrawn. It was noted for a second year no grievance had ended up in a court action against the GAA.

It was also reported the recent National Leagues had shown a "significant increase in gate revenues". It was announced this will lead to county board dividends returning to their pre-2006 levels.

Other details released included:

* In relation to match regulations it was agreed only the 15 players starting a game as per the official team list are permitted on the pitch for the parade and national anthem. All other team officials must vacate the pitch after the toss of the coin.

* In the current election environment delegates were reminded under the association's rules GAA property or facilities may not be used for party political purposes.

* It was agreed Temple Street Children's Hospital and the Hope Foundation would be the GAA's official charities in 2007/08.

* It was agreed any revenue that has accrued from the rugby and soccer internationals in Croke Park will be allocated directly to county boards and to local projects. No money in this context will be retained centrally in Croke Park.