Bell likes the sound of Rackard Cup gesture

Down Hurling Board Chairman Kevin Bell has described Congress’s decision to admit the Mourne County’s junior hurling team to the 2008 Nicky Rackard Cup as a "major breakthrough" for the game in the county.

"This is a major breakthrough for Down hurling," said a delighted Bell.

"It is the ambition of Down hurlers to compete with the top teams in Ireland.

"To do that we need to increase the number of our senior hurling clubs from three to at least six.

"Playing in the Nicky Rackard Cup competition will help us achieve that."