Neil McManus has claimed that some county boards view hurling as a ‘nuisance’.

After an underwhelming All-Ireland SHC, the former Antrim sharpshooter has highlighted the need for developing counties to buy into the Táin Óg and Cúchulainn League competitions as a way of improving their hurling standards.

"There were about 800 matches across all those competitions to be played last year. And around 50% of them were played,” he said on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.

"The fundamental issue is that some counties do not put any effort into hurling. They view it as a nuisance. Those figures speak to that. They're not rolling out the Táin Óg and Cuchulainn Leagues as they should.

"What we need to do is have Croke Park holding all counties to account. And saying if you do not play the games that are scheduled, without good reason, you will be receiving less of a grant from Croke Park.”

McManus added: "We have a Head of Hurling in place now. We must give that position the teeth and the power that it requires to actually make meaningful change.

"The games development officers who are in each county. We know there are not enough of them in some counties. One hurling development officer in a whole county. It's crazy. Hurling will not grow when it's under-staffed.

"But those people should be reporting, not to that county board, but to the head of hurling."

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