NEWS ROUND-UP:GAA PRESIDENT Christy Cooney has said Sunday's National Hurling League final went some way towards answering the critics of this year's competition, particularly those who said the final was over before it even began. But that's not saying the competition format won't be looked at again in the near future.

“People are always entitled to their views,” said Cooney, “and give criticism on the way the hurling league went. Some people felt, particularly, that the league was decided before the final was actually played, but I think Sunday answered that particular question anyway.

“I thought it was a tremendous game. It was tough, but it was fair, and everybody gave it their all. When you have two counties like Tipperary and Kilkenny in a national league final they’re objective will always be to win. Both teams played with wonderful passion and abandonment throughout.”

Yet if ever hurling needed a close and honest contest, then Sunday’s final in Thurles was that occasion. Tipperary’s hammering at the hands of Kilkenny just a few weeks previously had raised the worst fears in even the most ardent hurling supporters, that perhaps Kilkenny were in a class of their own – despite the repeated denials of manager Brian Cody.

“Tipperary playing in front of their home crowd probably helped,” added Cooney, “and they were probably looking for a bit of revenge for what happened in Nowlan Park a few weeks before as well. And I think they answered their critics in a major way, by playing some tremendous hurling.

“But Kilkenny are never beaten until the final whistle. They really pulled out all the stops, even after losing two key players, their centre back, and centre forward. So all in all it was a tremendous game and I think a great advert for hurling.”

The crowd of 17,087 was somewhat down on expectations but Cooney was satisfied, and the whole occasion in Semple Stadium certainly surpassed that of Croke Park the previous Sunday.

“I thought the atmosphere was marvellous. That was two or three thousand more than we had last year. We have to remember again that we are in difficult economic times. I thought it was a great crowd and certainly made for a great atmosphere. But the teams created that, particularly as the Tipperary supporters rose to the occasion.

“I also think we can all look forward now to the Leinster and Munster championships. If Sunday is anything to go by I think we’ll have a great summer.”

Still, criticisms of the National Hurling League persist, particularly the bridge between division one and two. Offaly’s win over Wexford in Sunday’s division two curtain-raiser resulted in them getting the sole promotional spot, replacing the relegated Clare, but the Offaly and Wexford managers, Joe Dooley and Colm Bonnar, felt that both finalists deserved to go up, no matter what the outcome.

Cooney didn’t rule out another examination of the league, although the current format will almost certainly persist for 2010, as any major changes would require a year’s notice so that teams would know exactly what they were playing for.

Cooney, naturally, took added satisfaction in awarding yesterday’s All-Ireland under-21 football trophy to his native Cork, but added that competition was one he had every intention of maintaining as is.

“I’m an avid supporter of the under-21 game. I actually think it’s the purest grade that we have in hurling and football. This year’s final was outstanding, and maybe now people will understand why the under-21 grade is so important to us. It’s just a pity there weren’t more people here.

“If Down won I’d have been just as proud to hand them the trophy. They’re a great football county, with a great tradition. Neither would have indulged the other by winning today, and that’s the way it should be.”

Meanwhile, the main casualty from Sunday’s league final is Kilkenny centre back Brian Hogan, who was confirmed yesterday as having broken a collarbone just 11 minutes into the game.

The O’Loughlin Gaels clubman will be sidelined for at least two months, and therefore miss Kilkenny’s Leinster senior hurling semi-final, fixed for June 20th.