HoganStand GAA Football and Hurling

National Forum

Irish But Never Held A Hurl?

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post

You need to Login to Post

Just looking at comments on the excellent weekend of entertainment we had and saw a number of Irish people say they loved the games but never usually watch hurling and some never even held a hurl. I appreciate everyone has different interests but on such a small island it amazes me how little contact some have with a native sport that is such a huge part of many people's lives. I wonder are there many on here who grew up without a hurl, or who have kids that do not own a hurl? If nothing else it's a fairly cheap toy and hitting the ball to a friend or against a wall can pass many hours. From ancient times people on the island have been hitting balls with a stick to pass the time, I'd say most kids would still enjoy it even if they never went near a hurling club. Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 30/07/2018 21:12:14 2127658 Link
I never played a football match until I was 17. ballydalane (Kilkenny) - Posts: 1246 - 30/07/2018 21:37:06 2127662 Link
it is a tragedy that so many county boards and clubs do not feel hurling should be tried,promoted or deserve even a token team. perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 30/07/2018 21:38:28 2127664 Link
A know a guy in his mid forties and I was showing him some hurls I had in the car and that was the first time he ever held one, his family had no links to GAA whatsoever and he was private schooled from South county Dublin. He was never exposed to it. That said I've never played rugby or cricket but I've held a cricket bat and kicked about a rugby ball. It is hard to believe that someone from Ireland has never picked one up in sports shop even out of curiosity. Each to their own I suppose. Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1916 - 30/07/2018 21:52:23 2127672 Link
But sure its really a disgrace that probably more than half of counties in Ireland couldnt give a toss about hurling and focus on football. There is no comparison. Even hurling played badly is more entertaining than football played well. Hurling is probably seen as a nuisance in the likes of Fermanagh, Cavan, Tyrone, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Louth, Longford. Its amazing really how its only a few counties take it seriously in terms of club scene. As liam Griffin once said "if coca cola can market and sell coloured gripe water then surely we can promote hurling in Longford" 890202 (Wexford) - Posts: 1278 - 30/07/2018 22:14:55 2127680 Link
I wish we had hurling here when I was young but there was never any word about it, I think there's an area in north east Donegal where they play a bit of hurling, that said I don't see why future generations can't get the chance to play though, we already have everything, all we need is hurls and sliotars and a few coaches from down south. It might take a long time to reach a decent standard but it would be great to see it being played extensively here, only time I seen a hurl was in Lidl or someplace!! Have to say I love it now and can't wait for the replayed semi and final, going to have to travel to see a few games live next year, unless I can rise a ticket for the final somewhere. Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 2758 - 30/07/2018 22:32:53 2127685 Link
Have great respect for the hurling folk, each to their own. Would watch it on the TV now and again, been to a couple of games (including a few All-Ireland semi-finals when they were double headers) but it did nothing for me. I'm just a football person. I'm in a football county and know some hurling heads who don't like a size five but that's their choice. I see hurling as a minority sport as its only first choice in maybe ten counties. The standard of hurling in the weaker counties is dire - it like 12 Kilkenny football teams. I'll never knock someone who plays hurling or wants to promote it, that's what makes the GAA what it is. The only thing that bugs me is that every time there is a good game of hurling you get all this 'greatest game in the world' malarkey. It's like small man syndrome, continually trying to convince everybody how great you are. I saw a tweet which summed it up. If your friend says he got a new car, you go 'fair play to you'. However, if your friend says they got a new car and it's the best car in the world, you think 'dickhead'. Hurling people should be happy in their own skin. Roger (Meath) - Posts: 471 - 30/07/2018 22:42:32 2127689 Link
Excellent documentary on RTÉ tonight on hurling. Hurling is going through a good spell again in that a number of teams can win it...it's great to watch. Football is my number one though. I don't think hurling people need to justify themselves by looking down on football or visa versa. Drove by the mall in Castlebar last Friday morning and there were dozens of kids out hurling training. Is ok to say belong should be promoted but counties who are predominantly football are already struggling with numbers. yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11241 - 30/07/2018 23:08:03 2127695 Link
Replying To Soma: "Just looking at comments on the excellent weekend of entertainment we had and saw a number of Irish people say they loved the games but never usually watch hurling and some never even held a hurl. I appreciate everyone has different interests but on such a small island it amazes me how little contact some have with a native sport that is such a huge part of many people's lives. I wonder are there many on here who grew up without a hurl, or who have kids that do not own a hurl? If nothing else it's a fairly cheap toy and hitting the ball to a friend or against a wall can pass many hours. From ancient times people on the island have been hitting balls with a stick to pass the time, I'd say most kids would still enjoy it even if they never went near a hurling club." Watched the RTE programme tonight on hurling - a very interesting programme. One of the points made was that hurling was sponsored (for want of a better word) by the landlords in the more fertile grasslands in the southern half of the country. In truth, more than a century later, the game of 'hurling', despite the efforts of a lot of distinguished people, has not really spread to any great extent beyond that area. neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 30/07/2018 23:27:01 2127698 Link
People vote with their remotes. Football is always on after the hurling.( and the Dubs after everyone else :) ) Workingclass (Mayo) - Posts: 26 - 30/07/2018 23:29:27 2127701 Link
My post wasn't really about ways to promote the game and definitely not to impose it on anyone, it's just a curiosity as to why some kids with any sort of interest in sport would never have had a hurl as a toy growing up in Ireland. They only cost the same as a small plastic action figure that is thrown away after the first day in the house and you don't need a sliothar, a tennis ball is fine and can't do any damage. If they enjoy it and want to try hurling they can try find a club, if not then someone else in the family can play with it. When younger I'd get bored of kicking a ball against a wall after 10 mins but I could stay hurling a ball against a wall for an hour every day. There is just something about mastering the striking of a ball with a stick that seems to appeal to people, whether it be golf, cricket, baseball or hurling. The only one of them you can really practice both alone in your garden and with friends is hurling, it's strange to me why some never try it out. Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 30/07/2018 23:30:00 2127702 Link
Replying To Tirchonaill1: "I wish we had hurling here when I was young but there was never any word about it, I think there's an area in north east Donegal where they play a bit of hurling, that said I don't see why future generations can't get the chance to play though, we already have everything, all we need is hurls and sliotars and a few coaches from down south. It might take a long time to reach a decent standard but it would be great to see it being played extensively here, only time I seen a hurl was in Lidl or someplace!! Have to say I love it now and can't wait for the replayed semi and final, going to have to travel to see a few games live next year, unless I can rise a ticket for the final somewhere." I attended the Meagher/Rackard/Ring finals a couple of years ago. Donegal played in one of the finals (think it might have been the Rackard) and they won it. On accepting the trophy the Donegal captain that day gave the most rousing and passionate speech. I would say it was one of the greatest speeches every given by a winning captain in Croke Park. He created such a stir that he was pictured in the front of all the national dailies the next morning. It was a pity so few of his county men heard the speech or were there for the victory but I came away thinking if this man's passion for the game could be bottled there would be a bright future for hurling in Donegal. PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1907 - 30/07/2018 23:40:55 2127711 Link
It was funny in many ways watching the comments on the Liam miller thing with people going on about a foreign game from people in counties who treat hurling with distain. Hurling was more foreign than soccer in most of the counties. tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1353 - 30/07/2018 23:41:19 2127713 Link
Played a few seasons in the Antrim hurling leagues but football was my main sport. The Antrim hurling and football leagues are, or used to be, as competitive and good as most other counties in the country. Sadly Antrim can't turn the talent at League and club level to the county. If you go down the Glens of Antrim you'll see wee lads carrying their hurls everywhere. Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9706 - 31/07/2018 00:15:29 2127715 Link
Replying To 890202: "But sure its really a disgrace that probably more than half of counties in Ireland couldnt give a toss about hurling and focus on football. There is no comparison. Even hurling played badly is more entertaining than football played well. Hurling is probably seen as a nuisance in the likes of Fermanagh, Cavan, Tyrone, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Louth, Longford. Its amazing really how its only a few counties take it seriously in terms of club scene. As liam Griffin once said "if coca cola can market and sell coloured gripe water then surely we can promote hurling in Longford"" You only have to look at a thread on the Donegal page that I commented on the same weekend of the Ulster Final to see what the general interest is in this County. Donegal played Warwickshire the day before in Croker in the Nicky Rackard final and won in a entertaining game. Was it it to the standard of the Liam Mccarthy County's? No! however there was some great hurling and one Donegal player 'Cut' 4 sideline balls over the bar and probably a record for a game of Hurling in Croker Park. The place was basically empty and nearly as many over from England as from Donegal. Thankfully there is pockets in this County that Hurling is in the blood and and although an avid follower of the 'Big Ball' Hurling is my first love as it is for many others. It is up to Clubs to promote both codes instead of one or the other and give the Kids and equal opportunity to try both instead of drumming the one into them. We are the 2nd largest County in Ireland and I see no reason why we Can't be like the biggest County and have Strong teams in both codes. After the weekends Games and the Documentary tonight maybe someone will take the Bull by the Horns and get involved in the game and promote it in schools and clubs. Once kids get the knack of it they love it! InishowenMan (Donegal) - Posts: 216 - 31/07/2018 02:05:58 2127719 Link
Replying To Roger: "Have great respect for the hurling folk, each to their own. Would watch it on the TV now and again, been to a couple of games (including a few All-Ireland semi-finals when they were double headers) but it did nothing for me. I'm just a football person. I'm in a football county and know some hurling heads who don't like a size five but that's their choice. I see hurling as a minority sport as its only first choice in maybe ten counties. The standard of hurling in the weaker counties is dire - it like 12 Kilkenny football teams. I'll never knock someone who plays hurling or wants to promote it, that's what makes the GAA what it is. The only thing that bugs me is that every time there is a good game of hurling you get all this 'greatest game in the world' malarkey. It's like small man syndrome, continually trying to convince everybody how great you are. I saw a tweet which summed it up. If your friend says he got a new car, you go 'fair play to you'. However, if your friend says they got a new car and it's the best car in the world, you think 'dickhead'. Hurling people should be happy in their own skin." Maybe hurling people are saying it's the best field game in the world for two obvious reasons Roger. 1. Can you think of a better field game when played like over the weekend? 2. They are trying to promote hurling. Also gaelic footballers like Paul Flynn, Stevie McDonnell, Aidan O'Mahony and Kieran Lillis described it as the best game in the world. Just a small selection of tweets from gaelic footballers. At present many gaelic footballers get away with being good athletes who can run, hanpass laterally and get the ball to the scorers. We have seriously skilfull players like Conor McManus, David Clifford, Brian Fenton etc. However in general hurling has more skills to master and is a totally attack minded game compared to a lot of the gaelic football dross. Hurling is also a truly native sport. Gaelic football is a game which has evolved from many similar type sports around the world. Look how easily many gaelic footballers adjust to Aussie Rules. A hurler is a hurler, it's unique, you can't transfer to another team sport as easily. The hand to eye will help your golf but your not going to move to another team sport and play top level in a year or 2 like gaelic players to Aussie Rules. Hurling needs to be protected and promoted. BliainanÁir (Laois) - Posts: 598 - 31/07/2018 02:58:10 2127722 Link
Replying To Roger: "Have great respect for the hurling folk, each to their own. Would watch it on the TV now and again, been to a couple of games (including a few All-Ireland semi-finals when they were double headers) but it did nothing for me. I'm just a football person. I'm in a football county and know some hurling heads who don't like a size five but that's their choice. I see hurling as a minority sport as its only first choice in maybe ten counties. The standard of hurling in the weaker counties is dire - it like 12 Kilkenny football teams. I'll never knock someone who plays hurling or wants to promote it, that's what makes the GAA what it is. The only thing that bugs me is that every time there is a good game of hurling you get all this 'greatest game in the world' malarkey. It's like small man syndrome, continually trying to convince everybody how great you are. I saw a tweet which summed it up. If your friend says he got a new car, you go 'fair play to you'. However, if your friend says they got a new car and it's the best car in the world, you think 'dickhead'. Hurling people should be happy in their own skin." looks like someone has been listening to Colm Parkinson.... murrax (Wexford) - Posts: 90 - 31/07/2018 04:05:30 2127723 Link
Have never played a hurling match in my life and the majority of my mates would be the same. Unfortunately, it was never an option growing up. Often held a hurl, plenty of puck abouts, etc. But just never had a real opportunity to master the basic skills of the game growing up. I'm a huge fan of the game, have been to 100s of matches including a few all irelands. But I don't necessarily buy into the notion that it's a better game than football - they are entirely different and I think football is actually ahead in terms of tactics (for better or worse) and when attending games as a neutral, the tactical set up of teams is one of the most intriguing aspects of any game, something you don't get a handle on when watching on tv. cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5019 - 31/07/2018 04:55:05 2127724 Link
Sure I'm Irish and I've never held a croc of gold. Seriously though, I was brought up in a hurling environment but it coincided with the rise of the Dubs in the 70s and it stole my heart. I have a great love for the game and if I may say so, I would consider myself to be very knowledgeable, for a Dub :D realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8597 - 31/07/2018 06:22:15 2127727 Link
Replying To 890202: "But sure its really a disgrace that probably more than half of counties in Ireland couldnt give a toss about hurling and focus on football. There is no comparison. Even hurling played badly is more entertaining than football played well. Hurling is probably seen as a nuisance in the likes of Fermanagh, Cavan, Tyrone, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Louth, Longford. Its amazing really how its only a few counties take it seriously in terms of club scene. As liam Griffin once said "if coca cola can market and sell coloured gripe water then surely we can promote hurling in Longford"" I think the powers that be in hurling don't do very much to bring weaker counties into the fold. A lot has been done over the years to protect the top teams place in the game, reformatting leagues on a whim to accommodate a relegated team deemed too good to go down. These sorts of things send a bad message. The 2 groups of 5 introduced this season is similarly exclusionary of emerging teams. A 1 off preliminarily quarterfinal against a team that's played a Provincial league campaign is playing lip service to the development of the game. Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4241 - 31/07/2018 06:32:47 2127728 Link