Following a motion from the Westmeath County Board at Congress, the Leinster Council proposed the introduction of a "back door system" in their hurling championship.

While the motion was passed at Congress in April, the new format was rejected by the GAA's management committee at a meeting on 30 October 1999.

The committee disagreed with the prospect of allowing losers from earlier rounds to re-enter the championship through a "back door system".

Nine of the previous year's panel were absent and, together with a lack of commitment from the remaining players, the board were left with no choice but to withdraw.

The Kerry County Board were faced with a similar prospect to Roscommon, however, they declined to withdraw from the Munster Championship.