THE GAA have finally agreed a hurling league format for 2012. Last night's Central Council meeting in Croke Park reached a compromise amendment to the format passed in August, whereby the six teams per division will remain, but with the introduction of semi-finals – which will also effectively allow the winners of Division 1B a shot at the title outright, writes Ian O'Riordan.

Division 1A will thus comprise Kilkenny, Dublin, Waterford, Tipperary, Galway and Cork, and Division 1B includes Wexford, Offaly, Limerick, Clare, Laois and Antrim. This means five rounds in each division, after which the top two in Division 1B will contest a Division 1B final, with the winners guaranteed promotion to Division 1A.

The Division 1 semi-finals will now comprise the top team in Division 1A against the Division 1B winners, and the second team in Division 1A against the third team in Division 1A. The bottom two teams in each division will contest relegation play-offs, and only the losing team will be relegated.

In Division 2A (Down, Carlow, Kerry, Westmeath, Wicklow, Derry) and Division 2B (London, Kildare, Meath, Armagh, Mayo, Roscommon) the top two will contest the final, with the winners promoted, while the bottom two face relegation play-offs.