National Forum

Hurling, a national game?

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Honestly, I think Hurling is an amazing and the more skillful game out of the two, its the worlds fastest field sport that alone is incredible but when it comes to interest especially up North is lackluster as people don't follow it myself included and probably due to the fact that there is no local attachments to the game and the way that the National game is laid out. On one hand you have football that have a 33 county championship everyone has some chance (obviously some more than others) whereas have some sort of League format that will only allow the top teams to compete in and the rest are divided some way or another. Honestly, I couldn't even tell you what championship Tyrone are entered in. I seen Armagh get beat by Mayo in some sort of final last year, which one that was is over my head.

This is where funding also comes into account. Then you have the likes of Slaughneil in Derry who should be a model club throughout Ireland who have won titles in both codes, sex's and perform at the highest level for a rural club. But if teams can hardly field 2 teams in football (Senior & Reserve/B's) whats the chances their going to attract hurlers? Commitment for one code is tough enough.

Integration of teams is also an idea, I know a new club in Benburb (village on the Tyrone/Armagh border) trying to attract youth from small footballing clubs from both sides of the Blackwater and obviously starting with youth and trying to build from there.

Find_the_space (Tyrone) - Posts: 313 - 03/08/2017 16:30:44    2028492

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Some good posts in this thread. Most clubs in Longford call themselves GFC's. There are only 3 hurling clubs here now. Slashers & Clonguish are dual clubs as is Mostrim which is called Wolfe Tones for hurling. The hurling clubs are considered by the County Board merely as sub-committees of their actual football club. Believe me, there are a lot of complexities (& barriers) being put in place which really don't help to encourage the growth of hurling here.

In neighbouring Westmeath (where we play a lot of underage hurling) it's completely different. Clubs are either GFC's or Hurling clubs, apart from Delvin which is the only proper dual club in the county.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 03/08/2017 17:46:58    2028532

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Replying To arock:  "People will watch and play what the want I am totally hurling but if you want to engage on this message board you really have to leave it elsewhere. What I find incredible after all these years that we have GFC's and not GAA clubs, there are very few admitedly in Dublin, thankfully very few, some of these have no women either so I guess these clubs are populated by Cavemen. But aside from that I certainly cannot understand the GAA given grants and support to exclusively single coded clubs they are NOT GAA clubs. As for no women - only golf clubs and certain nameless clubs have kept the sabre toothed tiger loin cloths going."
It's a joke Arock......Ulster council and GAA awarded a club Maith gold award to a club here in Down that not only don't play camoige or hurling but actively discourage their young lads from playing hurling in neighbouring clubs to the extent of deliberately putting on training and challenge games to clash with the hurling (interestingly they are more than happy to facilitate soccer!).......,Gaels my a&se but the GAA still award them as a model club, what a farce.

PaudieSull1 (Down) - Posts: 738 - 03/08/2017 18:27:02    2028555

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Another issue is that the traditional hurling counties are nearly all big big population counties.

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts:639 - 02/08/2017 18:28:21 2028033


Big big population counties? Below is a list of the top ten counties by population (data from census 2016 in the Republic of Ireland and 2011 in Northern Ireland)


1 Dublin 1,345,402
2 Antrim 618,108
3 Cork 542,196
4 Down 531,665
- Fingal 296,214
- South Dublin 278,749
5 Galway 258,552
6 Derry 247,132
7 Kildare 222,130
- Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown 217,274
8 Limerick 195,175
9 Meath 194,942
10 Tyrone 179,000

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2478 - 03/08/2017 18:41:54    2028562

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I counted the number of hurling threads on here and 3 out of 30, 10%, are hurling threads.

Far more people watch and play football than hurling in Ireland. That is reflected in the threads/topics created and the amount of replies on here. I would say (I'm open to correction) that by far, the biggest amount of regular posters on here, by county, are from Dublin; who nearly all are football supporters.

It's a sad reflection on the national interest levels in hurling. You'd wonder after 133 years how the game hasn't spread or been promoted more.
Laois76 (Laois) - Posts:569 - 02/08/2017 14:45:46 2027924

There is nothing "sad" about the interest levels in hurling (try getting a ticket for the All-Ireland). The interest levels have been much the same since the game's inception. There are various reasons for this and why the game hasn't spread. which I won't go into. I suggest you read up on the history of the GAA to get an idea. As for promoting the game, the GAA has done a lot, but as the saying goes: You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2478 - 03/08/2017 19:15:06    2028570

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "I counted the number of hurling threads on here and 3 out of 30, 10%, are hurling threads.

Far more people watch and play football than hurling in Ireland. That is reflected in the threads/topics created and the amount of replies on here. I would say (I'm open to correction) that by far, the biggest amount of regular posters on here, by county, are from Dublin; who nearly all are football supporters.

It's a sad reflection on the national interest levels in hurling. You'd wonder after 133 years how the game hasn't spread or been promoted more.
Laois76 (Laois) - Posts:569 - 02/08/2017 14:45:46 2027924

There is nothing "sad" about the interest levels in hurling (try getting a ticket for the All-Ireland). The interest levels have been much the same since the game's inception. There are various reasons for this and why the game hasn't spread. which I won't go into. I suggest you read up on the history of the GAA to get an idea. As for promoting the game, the GAA has done a lot, but as the saying goes: You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."
There is nothing "sad" about the interest levels in hurling (try getting a ticket for the All-Ireland). The interest levels have been much the same since the game's inception. There are various reasons for this and why the game hasn't spread. which I won't go into. I suggest you read up on the history of the GAA to get an idea. As for promoting the game, the GAA has done a lot, but as the saying goes: You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

Cockney Cat you're usually a good poster but your being more of a 'Cocky' arrogant cat this evening. On a less polite forum i'd tell you where to go with your suggestion. Particularly as i've studied history to doctorate level and my undergrad was on the formation of the association. I'm well aware of hurling's strength in counties with better land, areas like Wexford and Kilkenny where cricket was played etc.

My point being the game of hurling is so good it's a pity it's not more popular. We'll go back to 1991. KK beat Antrim, and were lucky to do so, by 2 pts in the all-ireland senior semi. Down ran Cork to a few points the following year. My own county, Laois were as strong as anyone in Leinster. Wexford were very strong, KK beat them after DJs famous (infamous) kicked goal. Offaly had won 3 minor titles between 1986 and 1989. If anything hurling nationally is declining. My own county had traditional hurling areas like Abbeyleix, Clonaslee, Portlaoise where football has grown to hurling's detriment after our football minor wins in 1996, 97 and 2003.

As for training teams i contribute tounderage hurling coaching so i can safely say i'm not speaking out of both sides of my mouth.

As an aside some really excellent, insightful posts on the thread. Because i haven't replied doesn't mean i haven't taken notice or taken on board some great points.

Laois76 (Laois) - Posts: 1270 - 03/08/2017 21:27:30    2028632

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "I counted the number of hurling threads on here and 3 out of 30, 10%, are hurling threads.

Far more people watch and play football than hurling in Ireland. That is reflected in the threads/topics created and the amount of replies on here. I would say (I'm open to correction) that by far, the biggest amount of regular posters on here, by county, are from Dublin; who nearly all are football supporters.

It's a sad reflection on the national interest levels in hurling. You'd wonder after 133 years how the game hasn't spread or been promoted more.
Laois76 (Laois) - Posts:569 - 02/08/2017 14:45:46 2027924

There is nothing "sad" about the interest levels in hurling (try getting a ticket for the All-Ireland). The interest levels have been much the same since the game's inception. There are various reasons for this and why the game hasn't spread. which I won't go into. I suggest you read up on the history of the GAA to get an idea. As for promoting the game, the GAA has done a lot, but as the saying goes: You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."
Bit harsh. I think the poster wishes hurling was played at a higher level in other counties.

Actually more than harsh your post, condescending.

Really good thread and some great comment.

KK1926 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 175 - 03/08/2017 21:32:18    2028633

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "Another issue is that the traditional hurling counties are nearly all big big population counties.

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts:639 - 02/08/2017 18:28:21 2028033


Big big population counties? Below is a list of the top ten counties by population (data from census 2016 in the Republic of Ireland and 2011 in Northern Ireland)


1 Dublin 1,345,402
2 Antrim 618,108
3 Cork 542,196
4 Down 531,665
- Fingal 296,214
- South Dublin 278,749
5 Galway 258,552
6 Derry 247,132
7 Kildare 222,130
- Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown 217,274
8 Limerick 195,175
9 Meath 194,942
10 Tyrone 179,000"
Cork, Galway, limerick Dublin are all big populations.. the likes of Tipp ect are 150, 000. Forget the northern counties are half protestant so that rules out half their populations. They neither want to or would be welcomed to play GAA by those northern backwoodsmen republicans

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts: 1710 - 03/08/2017 22:14:11    2028652

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On a less polite forum i'd tell you where to go with your suggestion. Particularly as i've studied history to doctorate level and my undergrad was on the formation of the association. I'm well aware of hurling's strength in counties with better land, areas like Wexford and Kilkenny where cricket was played etc.

Laois76 (Laois) - Posts:570 - 03/08/2017 21:27:30 2028632

Apologies, I didn't realise you were of such a sensitive nature; but with all due respect doctor; if you know so much, why would you be wondering about why the game hasn't spread after 133 years?

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2478 - 03/08/2017 22:39:13    2028660

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Replying To bloodyban:  "
Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "Another issue is that the traditional hurling counties are nearly all big big population counties.

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts:639 - 02/08/2017 18:28:21 2028033


Big big population counties? Below is a list of the top ten counties by population (data from census 2016 in the Republic of Ireland and 2011 in Northern Ireland)


1 Dublin 1,345,402
2 Antrim 618,108
3 Cork 542,196
4 Down 531,665
- Fingal 296,214
- South Dublin 278,749
5 Galway 258,552
6 Derry 247,132
7 Kildare 222,130
- Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown 217,274
8 Limerick 195,175
9 Meath 194,942
10 Tyrone 179,000"
Cork, Galway, limerick Dublin are all big populations.. the likes of Tipp ect are 150, 000. Forget the northern counties are half protestant so that rules out half their populations. They neither want to or would be welcomed to play GAA by those northern backwoodsmen republicans"
Good man bloodyban........you should come up and try promote hurling before you throw insults at those that do.........your right over half the population in Down and Antrim don't want to play Gaelic games but it's nothing to do with the GAA not being welcoming and all to do with their own mentality.

PaudieSull1 (Down) - Posts: 738 - 03/08/2017 23:02:59    2028681

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "On a less polite forum i'd tell you where to go with your suggestion. Particularly as i've studied history to doctorate level and my undergrad was on the formation of the association. I'm well aware of hurling's strength in counties with better land, areas like Wexford and Kilkenny where cricket was played etc.

Laois76 (Laois) - Posts:570 - 03/08/2017 21:27:30 2028632

Apologies, I didn't realise you were of such a sensitive nature; but with all due respect doctor; if you know so much, why would you be wondering about why the game hasn't spread after 133 years?"
You insulted a genuine hurling man from Laois initially, and then you write a message like that and insult him again? For a lad going on about sensitive posters he's hit a nerve with you. The man knows a lot about hurling and the GAA in general, on other threads he'll talk about any team or any player from any era in hurling or football and some of the stories he shares are a joy to read.

Luckily we're not all as narrow minded as you in Kilkenny, men like Micky Walsh, Martin Fogarty, Dermot Healy all did great work in promoting hurling throughout the country.

Fellas like you give Kilkenny people a bad name.

Anyway Why couldn't the game have spread more? Or is it you think it should only be played in Cork, Tipp and Kilkenny?

KK1926 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 175 - 04/08/2017 01:00:59    2028712

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Replying To PaudieSull1:  "
Replying To bloodyban:  "[quote=Cockney_Cat:  "Another issue is that the traditional hurling counties are nearly all big big population counties.

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts:639 - 02/08/2017 18:28:21 2028033


Big big population counties? Below is a list of the top ten counties by population (data from census 2016 in the Republic of Ireland and 2011 in Northern Ireland)


1 Dublin 1,345,402
2 Antrim 618,108
3 Cork 542,196
4 Down 531,665
- Fingal 296,214
- South Dublin 278,749
5 Galway 258,552
6 Derry 247,132
7 Kildare 222,130
- Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown 217,274
8 Limerick 195,175
9 Meath 194,942
10 Tyrone 179,000"
Cork, Galway, limerick Dublin are all big populations.. the likes of Tipp ect are 150, 000. Forget the northern counties are half protestant so that rules out half their populations. They neither want to or would be welcomed to play GAA by those northern backwoodsmen republicans"
Good man bloodyban........you should come up and try promote hurling before you throw insults at those that do.........your right over half the population in Down and Antrim don't want to play Gaelic games but it's nothing to do with the GAA not being welcoming and all to do with their own mentality."]Well said paudie... the problem down south is that we are over run with "want to be" protestants you want to be in with the in crowd!!! ie rugby!!!!!

tonydoranfan (Wexford) - Posts: 550 - 04/08/2017 01:08:25    2028714

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Replying To tonydoranfan:  "
Replying To PaudieSull1:  "[quote=bloodyban:  "[quote=Cockney_Cat:  "Another issue is that the traditional hurling counties are nearly all big big population counties.

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts:639 - 02/08/2017 18:28:21 2028033


Big big population counties? Below is a list of the top ten counties by population (data from census 2016 in the Republic of Ireland and 2011 in Northern Ireland)


1 Dublin 1,345,402
2 Antrim 618,108
3 Cork 542,196
4 Down 531,665
- Fingal 296,214
- South Dublin 278,749
5 Galway 258,552
6 Derry 247,132
7 Kildare 222,130
- Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown 217,274
8 Limerick 195,175
9 Meath 194,942
10 Tyrone 179,000"
Cork, Galway, limerick Dublin are all big populations.. the likes of Tipp ect are 150, 000. Forget the northern counties are half protestant so that rules out half their populations. They neither want to or would be welcomed to play GAA by those northern backwoodsmen republicans"
Good man bloodyban........you should come up and try promote hurling before you throw insults at those that do.........your right over half the population in Down and Antrim don't want to play Gaelic games but it's nothing to do with the GAA not being welcoming and all to do with their own mentality."]Well said paudie... the problem down south is that we are over run with "want to be" protestants you want to be in with the in crowd!!! ie rugby!!!!!"]You think liking rugby makes you a wannabe prod? In which case I'm guilty as charged! Never really understood why some feel the need to choose between sports like that. GAA, soccer and rugby all float my boat.

MedwayIrish (Wexford) - Posts: 2324 - 04/08/2017 09:39:54    2028762

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ell said paudie... the problem down south is that we are over run with "want to be" protestants you want to be in with the in crowd!!! ie rugby!!!!!
tonydoranfan (Wexford) - Posts:288 - 04/08/2017 01:08:25 2028714

an ironic comment froma poster who earlier on 26th february this year posted about watching a womens rugby game while his team were playing an important home NFL game.... more interested in the rugby than going to support their team!!!

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 04/08/2017 09:59:56    2028772

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Replying To keeper7:  "Some good posts in this thread. Most clubs in Longford call themselves GFC's. There are only 3 hurling clubs here now. Slashers & Clonguish are dual clubs as is Mostrim which is called Wolfe Tones for hurling. The hurling clubs are considered by the County Board merely as sub-committees of their actual football club. Believe me, there are a lot of complexities (& barriers) being put in place which really don't help to encourage the growth of hurling here.

In neighbouring Westmeath (where we play a lot of underage hurling) it's completely different. Clubs are either GFC's or Hurling clubs, apart from Delvin which is the only proper dual club in the county."
having read this post tis a fair achievement ye manage to field a county side with only a few clubs playing hurling

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 04/08/2017 10:01:05    2028773

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Replying To bloodyban:  "Good thread. Another issue is that the traditional hurling counties are nearly all big big population counties. So that puts the bar even higher for small counties who push hurling.
There's alot of hurling only clubs in Munster.. east Clare has alot. Sixmilebridge being Sixmilebridge hurling club. Patrickswell, Glen Rovers ect.. (maybe not so many after all)"
kilkenny has a population of only around 100k

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 04/08/2017 10:06:18    2028775

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'Rugby fans are wannabe Protestants' is hands down the strangest statement I have ever read on any sporting forum.

And that's saying something

Forpucksake (UK) - Posts: 130 - 04/08/2017 10:08:36    2028776

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It's a pity hurling isn't played more but that's just the way the association developed. There were two forms of the game back in the day, ioman and caman. The former is the form of the game we have today, the latter was more widespread, played all over and similar to shinty. Caman was a ground game. Games would have been very rough and loosely organised. Not sure what type of ball or sticks they had but I'm sure they used what was available, probably plenty of blackthorn.
Ioman was popular in the southern counties. There was much more gentrification in these areas so the games would have been better organised as there were more people with time on their hands to do such. There would have been a better defined set of rules and plenty of access to quality ash. The association formed in Thurles so naturally the founders would have been most influenced by the southern form of the game, if they were even aware of the northern game at all. Rules were drawn up for the two codes we have today and organised structures put in place with understandably no provisions for caman made. The game died out. Naturally hurling prospered where they grow the ash, football where they grow the rush.

Hardtimes (Cavan) - Posts: 1056 - 04/08/2017 10:38:01    2028791

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There are no excuses now for not playing hurling in the logistical sense. Pitches are better, people have access to hurls and maybe even composite hurls will be the thing of the future. But there is a deep love of football and people will have their preferences. It would be nice if hurling was more widespread and kids had the choice in either code without the BS and power trips some people inevitably engage in. But I don't think we should get too hung up on it. The association was set up for the benefit of our people, so we could celebrate our culture and enjoy in our pastimes. Today, I don't think participation levels have every been as high so regardless of code I think we should be happy that our youth have the facilities and choices. The founding fathers achieved exactly what they set out to.

Hardtimes (Cavan) - Posts: 1056 - 04/08/2017 10:49:33    2028800

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Hurling would benefit from having a separate association to promote the game like the Camanaíocht Association which very effectively promotes Shinty in Scotland.

Moyle (Tipperary) - Posts: 86 - 04/08/2017 10:55:24    2028804

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