Top international rugby referee Nigel Owens was hugely impressed by the recent All-Ireland hurling final and its ability to unite people.

Owens tweeted during the final a fortnight ago about how it was "brilliant viewing" and he elaborated further in his column for Wales Online this week.

Explaining how he had taken part in a training camp in Dublin in the week leading up to the All-Ireland final along with other Guinness PRO14 referees, including Bruff native George Clancy, he wrote: "(George) Clancy, in particular, is a massive fan of hurling and Limerick. 

"All the talk was about the All-Ireland final that was being played at the famous Croke Park on the Sunday with a sell-out 82,500 crowd set to watch the clash between Galway and Limerick, who hadn't won the trophy for 45 years.

"The final itself was hugely enjoyable; breathtaking, exciting, bursting with passion. It was fast, brutal at times, skilful, physical and the last 10 minutes was edge-of-your-seat stuff, a thriller won by Limerick to finally end all those years of hurt.

"The scenes of celebration that followed highlighted what it meant to everyone; there were supporters crying in the stands, amateur players were close to tears in their post-match interviews talking about their pride for their family and where they had been brought up.

"I have always felt that sport has this incredible power of uniting communities, uniting countries and it just hit home again watching this wonderful occasion."

Tweet

Most Read Stories