Being in Division 1B is just so much better than 1A

Everyone wants to play at the top level.

That's ambition, we all dream of lifting the top trophies in front of the big crowds. When it comes to the GAA there are three major trophies you can win with your county, the league, your provincial championship and the All-Ireland title. Galway won all three this year as well as winning the All-Ireland minor title and lost out narrowly to Limerick in the Under-21 All-Ireland semi-final only for the Munster side to go on to comprehensively beat Kilkenny. Yes, Galway hurling is in a very good place yet they remain in Division 1B of the National Hurling League. Come Spring time Galway won't be playing the top level opposition week in and week out, they won't be playing the likes of Tipperary, Waterford and Cork, at least not until the knockout stages of the competition. But this is the biggest advantage of all really, or at least that is what their captain David Burke believes. The 27-year-old was speaking at the announcement of the PwC's sponsorship of the PwC All-Star awards where he himself is nominated.

"A big advantage coming into next year will be being in division (1B) in the league so we can try out more players and integrate them into the team," Burke said "I think it definitely is (an advantage) when you’re going into the league next year you’re not under as much pressure to get results and you can actually give players (playing time)."

Everyone in GAA knows that the league is great but the championship is always the bread and butter, a good championship run is what all teams strive for and ultimately the league is where you should be experimenting and finding out your best team. And Burke put forward a rule change that would definitely benefit the development of young players:

"I actually think it should be where every player has to play a certain amount of time in the league anyway because it’s way too competitive," the three-time All-Star said.  "You see lads, even in counties where it’s football, fall apart once the league is over going into championship. It’s just a matter of bringing whatever you can that you have done good in the league into the championship and improving on things but I think we’ve huge scope were lads can get in and fight for places a little bit more and they might be rewarded for what they’ve done this year. "It’s strange to think that we’re still in division (1B) and All-Ireland champions but I suppose strange things have to happen when you’re to win."

It makes sense though, playing in division 1B rather than 1A, it's a great chance to let the younger lads come in and fight for places but at the same time if your team is good enough they'll still get the competitive games when they go into the knockout stages of the tournament.