Antrim chair John McSparran has confirmed the county will apply to the Munster Council to be considered for a place in its provincial championship. The Ulster champions were extremely critical of the new championship structures accepted by last weekend's special congress, which oblige Antrim to play Galway in the first round every year before proceeding to a likely meeting with Munster's first-round losers.
"It might seem a perverse thing for us to do," he said, "but it would mean that when we were beaten we would probably have a chance to play one of the first-round losers in Leinster.
"There are a lot of positives in that. We would get a good match in Munster and, when beaten, a game against a Leinster team would give us a better chance of advancing.
"There is an element of protest in this to keep the pot boiling, but also of feeling them out to see whether they accept it or not. If we're not allowed, that will add to the impression they don't give a continental about hurling up here."
McSparran says Antrim believe the special congress debate wasn't a serious discussion of the issues involved in changing the championship structure. "This was pre-destined and pre-ordained and we couldn't believe the counties voting against us - some with no interest in hurling and Ulster counties as well, which was very disappointing."
He also revealed feelings were running high in Antrim over Down's decision to back the Hurling Development Committee (HDC) changes.
Down have been Antrim's main competitor in the provincial championship since it was revived in 1989 and its senior clubs are allowed compete in the Antrim senior league.
"The Down clubs take part in our competition and some people felt that this should be reviewed in the light of the county's decision not to support us," said McSparran. "But I felt this would be cutting off our nose to spite our face because the Down clubs have made a contribution to our hurling and, anyway, Portaferry, Ballygalget and Ballycran have dissociated themselves from their county board's decision."
A compromise alternative floated at congress by Cork secretary Frank Murphy, which McSparran said was "infinitely better" than the HDC plans, never materialised as a formal proposal.
Meanwhile, Wexford's senior hurlers have been handed a straight passage to the 2008 Leinster semi-finals along with champions Kilkenny.
Westmeath's involvement in next year's competition following an invitation from Leinster Council - the county will not be contesting the MacCarthy Cup and will remain in the Ring Cup - means two quarter-finals will take place next year.
Wednesday's provincial council meeting decided Offaly, Laois, Dublin and Westmeath will play-off in two quarter-finals to determine who will join Wexford and Kilkenny in the semi-finals, which will be open draw.
There would, however, be a problem if Westmeath won their quarter-final, as they aren't eligible for the MacCarthy Cup. According to Leinster PRO Tom Farrell, the province will cross that bridge when they come to it.
"If Westmeath win a game, the matter will probably have to go back to the HDC, but we felt that it was only right that they should be included in the Leinster championship and that was decided at a hurling forum earlier this year."
