All Star trips and early starts The All Stars trip to Singapore is a just reward for all the hard work and effort put in by players over the last twelve months. I was lucky enough to win two All Star awards and got the chance to head to San Francisco and Chicago and let me tell you, when you look back on these trips, they were probably the best times of our lives. The craic was mighty and the friendships built up are still in place. The memories are still fresh in my mind, even if it is almost 20 years ago. I also have to add, contrary to what other people might think that the games were contested to a very high level and there was always a bit of rivalry and needle in the games - somebody trying to get somebody back for what happened during the year maybe? The level of interest by Irish people abroad would always amaze you but in recent years, the level of enthusiasm shown by the locals has grown enormously and they really appreciate the intensity and skill level of the game of hurling. It brings back many memories from the ex-pats abroad as they get the chance to see their heroes and star performers in the flesh. During the Summer time these same people get up early in the mornings to get to a venue to watch their local county in action and now some of those they cheered on are playing on their doorstep. Long may it continue, as the games have the potential to grow even further on foreign soil and in places where no All Star team has gone before. Even though we do not have an international dimension to our hurling, anybody who has ever seen it will honestly tell you that it was the best game or sporting event they had ever seen. It reminds me of a story where Gareth Edwards, the great Welsh scrumhalf attended an All-Ireland final recently and he was interviewed by Michael O Muiritheartaigh at half time. He was asked what did he think of the game of hurling and replied that he thought it was truly awesome. Michael asked: "If he would like to be down there with a hurl?" and Edwards replied that he certainly would not like to be down there without one." Famous sportsmen all over the world have watched the game of hurling and cannot believe what they see and here in our own country and on our own patch, we see the game suffering - it drives me crazy. Winter Hurling v. Summer Hurling There is no question that the better game is seen in the summer and hurling is a summer sport but the amount of activity already going on at this time of year would frighten you. There seems now that there is no break whatsoever for the intercounty player. More competitions started up, more challenge matches than ever, earlier training schedules, fitness programmes - I just wonder where is it all going to end. The demands now on a player are incredible and it seems there is little time for the successful player to recharge the batteries or go have a few games with his club and play with the guys he grew up with. What is now happening is that clubs are getting cheesed off because they no longer have access to their star players bar for championship matches. Because of competitions like the Fitzgibbon Cup and Waterford Crystal Tournament everyone's season is now starting earlier and as preparation for these games, college teams now play county teams and club teams and everything takes off much earlier than expected. The best element of this has been the introduction of floodlights and the ability to play these matches midweek which for this time of year eliminates training in the cold. Very often I have seen so much effort been put in by so many people in January and February, yet when it comes to the most important time of year when the real action starts, the appetite and energy levels are severely drained from players and the commitment drops resulting in players and management alike getting a bit disillusioned. The other bone of contention I have and I am wearing my club hat this time, is that a club may play a championship match in May and if you are lucky to win, might not play another game again until July or August because of the intercounty activity is in full flow. To keep a team together and players from planning holidays is getting more difficult than ever and when there is no proper timeframe to our games, who can blame players from leaving the sport? Some counties are better than other at this and to be fair my own county insist that all club championship matches go ahead within a fortnight of an intercounty game. Movers and Shakers for 2006 Eugene Cloonan coming back into the fold for Galway has to be welcomed as he is too good a player to left out in the cold. When he was sitting in the stand last year watching the All-Ireland final, I am certain there was a lump in his throat and a knot in his stomach knowing that he should have been out there. Expect him and Galway to make it difficult for everyone this year, whatever position he plays. Michael Webster for Tipperary had a powerful introduction to intercounty hurling last year even though word on the street had it that he was more a footballer than a hurler and that he did not have much ability other than his height. However, from what I saw, he was the star of the show in most of the games he played and caused endless problems for many a full back, including the rock from Cloyne. If Bab's can build a few corner forwards to play off him - expect Tipp to shake a few teams and emerge from the wilderness. Cathal Naughton from Newtownshandrum is a one to watch and in the club championship last year he was the best player for Newtownshandrum and if he delivers up to St Patrick's Day in the AIB club finals, he will surely figure for Cork come May or June as the Rebels are crying out for new blood up front - expect this man to be the dark horse of the championship. Tweet

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