Former Tipperary hurler David Kennedy has become the first high-profile intercounty player to switch his county colours but continue playing for his home club.
The Loughmore-Castleiney man lined out for the Kildare Senior hurlers at centre back in a challenge match against Carlow last weekend.
A motion, put forward on behalf of Louth club Naomh Monine, which would allow hurlers from Liam McCarthy Cup counties, such as Tipperary, to play for Christy Ring or Nicky Rackard Cup counties, like Kildare, as well as their home club, provided they were resident in the weaker county or it was the county of birth of a parent, was passed at last April's Annual GAA Congress in Killarney.
"It would be a great boost for the hurling development strategy, for the hurling development committee and for the new National Hurling Co-ordinator (Paudie Butler)," said Louth's Central Council representative Pat Hamilton.
The rule, which allows weaker counties to avail of a maximum of five such players, was also backed at last year's summit by officials from the stronger hurling counties of Kilkenny and Cork, who were content that it would not detract from their own panels.
"If a player is important to a traditionally stronger county and he applies for a transfer the home county can deny the transfer, so there are safeguards there," said Kilkenny chief Ned Quinn of the condition that the player must be officially released by the home county before declaring elsewhere.
The new ruling, brought in to increase the competitiveness of tier two and three counties, means that Naas-based Garda Kennedy, who is a dual player, can now play for Kildare as well as his home club.
