Dublin yesterday revealed radical plans to develop hurling in the county. They include the appointment of a Director of Hurling, the provision of a dedicated hurling centre incorporating an academy and plans to ask dual players to commit exclusively to the game. The "Blueprint for Change and Success" was prepared by the Dublin Hurling Review Group, chaired by former county manager Michael O'Grady.

Its mission statement aims to make hurling the number one Gaelic sport in Dublin by 2010 and to win an All-Ireland by 2008. There are also structural reforms contained in the report, principally the dividing of the county into four regions, south-east, city, south-west and north/Fingal and the creation of a premier division of 12 teams, rather than the 20 currently graded senior.

The replacement of the under-21s by an under-20 grade is also proposed. This is motivated by the need for a more immediate step up from minor to reduce the number of players lost between the ages of 18 and 20.

It remains to be seen how the clubs will respond to the blueprint. Last night they were all presented with a copy and, after consulting members, they will return with a decision on the issue next month.

"This plan will only succeed if the clubs buy into it," said group member Humphrey Kelleher. "Change must be accepted before this can happen."

On the issue of dual players, O'Grady said: "We have discussed this. Players can play what they want, but after minor they should commit to one code. The constraints of modern training and obligation to clubs means that dual careers are not possible.

"We will be asking dual players to commit to hurling for three years, to give it their best shot."

He also stressed the importance of the county team getting more matches in the championship, pointing out that in 36 of the last 40 years since they last won a Leinster title, Dublin had played only one championship match in a season.

Another area identified as important for county team - acknowledged as the best promotion for the game in the county - is the recruitment of "talented hurlers who are from other counties and living in Dublin".

O'Grady recalled the importance to his promising team of some years ago of former Kilkenny hurlers Eamonn Morrissey and "Shiner" Brennan.

Kelleher highlighted "the lack of skilled players" as being central to Dublin's failure to make more of an impact in recent decades. To address this problem a major new coaching structure is proposed and there is also a recommendation that coaches be better paid.

The cost of the blueprint over the next five years will be roughly £6,000,000 - one third of which it is proposed be raised by the clubs in Dublin with the remainder to be funded to some extent by Croke Park and the Leinster Council.

Next year's National Leagues will begin in February, the first time that the National Football League has been played in a calendar year.

It will open on February 3rd with All-Ireland champions Galway taking on Donegal. League holders Mayo face Sligo, who they defeated in the championship last June.

Perhaps the most interest will be generated by the Dublin-Offaly game, as new Dublin manager Tommy Lyons takes on the team he managed to a Leinster title.

The National Hurling League will get under way three weeks later. Double champions Tipperary travel to Offaly, who are now managed by former Tipperary coach Fr Tom Fogarty.

Defeated All-Ireland finalists Galway may have an easier task, as they face Dublin.