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Offaly's plea to Central Council for a chance to remain in Division 1 of the National Hurling League has been rejected following an Ard Chomhairle meeting on Saturday afternoon.
The Faithful County will now have to compete in Division 2 of the 2008 Allianz National Hurling League.
Effectively, Central Council has voted to retain a nine-team Division 1 for next year and turn down Offaly's motion to make it a ten-strong league.
"Following a discussion on a motion from Offaly and a submission from the Hurling Development Committee it was agreed that there would be no change in the HDC's proposal in regard to the format and structure of the Allianz Hurling League in 2008," read a Central Council statement.
"Following a vote Offaly's motion was unsuccessful, which means that they will participate in Division 2 next year."
The statement added that 2007 National League gate receipts were up on the previous year, and promised that county board dividends would be restored to the pre-'06 levels.
Meanwhile, GAA chiefs have decided to issue a warning to election candidates that they may not use Association property or facilities for party political purposes.
Mayo football manager John O'Mahony, Meath footballer Graham Geraghty and former Dublin goalkeeper John O'Leary are amongst the high-profile GAA members running in the upcoming election.
It was also agreed that any revenue accrued from the rugby and soccer Internationals held at Croke Park will be allocated directly to county boards and local projects. No money in this context will be retained centrally in Croke Park.
Temple Street Children's Hospital and the Hope Foundation have been selected as the GAA's Official Charities for 2007/2008.
Offaly's plea to Central Council for a chance to remain in Division 1 of the National Hurling League has been rejected following an Ard Chomhairle meeting on Saturday afternoon.
The Faithful County will now have to compete in Division 2 of the 2008 Allianz National Hurling League.
Effectively, Central Council has voted to retain a nine-team Division 1 for next year and turn down Offaly's motion to make it a ten-strong league.
"Following a discussion on a motion from Offaly and a submission from the Hurling Development Committee it was agreed that there would be no change in the HDC's proposal in regard to the format and structure of the Allianz Hurling League in 2008," read a Central Council statement.
"Following a vote Offaly's motion was unsuccessful, which means that they will participate in Division 2 next year."
The statement added that 2007 National League gate receipts were up on the previous year, and promised that county board dividends would be restored to the pre-'06 levels.
Meanwhile, GAA chiefs have decided to issue a warning to election candidates that they may not use Association property or facilities for party political purposes.
Mayo football manager John O'Mahony, Meath footballer Graham Geraghty and former Dublin goalkeeper John O'Leary are amongst the high-profile GAA members running in the upcoming election.
It was also agreed that any revenue accrued from the rugby and soccer Internationals held at Croke Park will be allocated directly to county boards and local projects. No money in this context will be retained centrally in Croke Park.
Temple Street Children's Hospital and the Hope Foundation have been selected as the GAA's Official Charities for 2007/2008.