Antrim chairman John McSparran will tonight make a strong plea at a special meeting in Croke Park to ensure his county’s continued involvement in the All Ireland Hurling Championship proper.

McSparran, who has been vociferous in championing Antrim’s cause within the corridors of power, will again underline the Saffrons’ case when the motion proposed for Congress in relation to clarifying the championship relegation issue is discussed.

The north Antrim GP has made it clear that the Saffrons expect to enjoy a three-year term at least in the Liam McCarthy Cup frame and any possible dilution of their status will be vociferously opposed.

This year Antrim made their debut in the Leinster Championship when they were beaten by Dublin and subsequently found themselves involved in a convoluted relegation battle.

It was only after agreement was eventually reached that Carlow should be accommodated in the Liam McCarthy Cup next year with no team being relegated that Antrim’s position was secured.

Now McSparran will seek assurances that the spectre of relegation will not hang over any team and that instead the championship line-up should be enhanced instead of being trimmed.

“What we want to avoid is an endless procession of mid-summer relegation play-offs.

“Counties don’t want this, clubs certainly do not wish to be deprived of players because of this and the fans won’t be flocking through the turnstiles for such games,” maintains McSparran. “A relegation quagmire only prolongs the season unnecessarily and does nothing for hurling.

“When the Strategic Plan was drawn up some years ago under the visionary guidance of Peter Quinn it contained certain proposals that were beneficial but some of these appear to have been parked for now.”

McSparran admits that while “only maybe two or three counties” have a realistic chance of winning the All Ireland title, this should not prevent additional teams from participating in the championship if they so desire.

He cites the case of Westmeath, arguing that they should not be left out in the cold.

“Our own aim in 2010 is to prove that we are very worthy of being in the Liam McCarthy Cup competition.

“We have been drawn against Offaly in the Leinster Championship and while they have been showing an improvement of late having drafted in new blood, we have a decent record against them.

“We certainly do not have to fear them and I know that our manager Dinny Cahill will have our team fired up for the challenge.

“We would hope that any uncertainty surrounding our current status in the hurling championship format will be dispelled and that the team will go from strength to strength next year,” asserts McSparran.