Plans to increase Leinster SHC to eight teams

Dublin's David Purcell and Darragh Carley of Wexford in action during the Leinster SHC clash at Wexford Park ©INPHO/James Lawlor

The Leinster SHC could soon be extended to eight teams if a proposal from a special workgroup review committee is accepted.

Currently, the Leinster SHC comprises six teams, but the workgroup – which is chaired by former Kilkenny manager and GAA president Nickey Brennan – is seeking to involve two more teams in the round-robin series to help developing counties get up to the next level.

"Everything is at consultation stage and that process is still ongoing within Leinster GAA," National Head of Hurling Willie Maher told RTÉ.

"The workgroup committee (of which he is a member) has looked at every possibility and now all of the main stakeholders have to review proposals before they go to the next stage. Leinster have taken the lead in this regard to the development of the game and hopefully the workgroup recommendations will now come to a conclusion soon.”

The preferred proposal would see two groups of four, including the Joe McDonagh Cup finalists. Group 1 would include the top-placed four teams in the previous year's Leinster series and the teams would all play each other with the top two earning semi-final spots, with the last two teams playing quarter-finals against the top two in the weaker Group 2.