Scullion Hurls, one of Ireland's leading makers of hurleys and other hurling equipment, had the quality of its work further endorsed recently when its own brand sliotars received official approval from the GAA for use in league and championship matches. Scullions Hurls Sliotars are now officially entitled to carry the coveted Sliotar CLG Oifigiúil logo. Scullion Hurls proprietor Michael Scullion said: "The feedback we have had from clubs over the last year is that our sliotars are of a very high standard, that they last along time and retain their shape after repeated use. Most importantly they are reliable and consistent in their bounce and performance in matches. It is a great boost for the business to get the official stamp of approval from Croke Park." The matchballs are supported by the recent launch of a high quality training sliotar. Michael believes affordable training sliotars can help coaches as they train teams, explaining: "We did a lot of research into what clubs and coaches wanted and we found an increasing trend towards using a higher number of balls in training. This increases the efficiency of coaching sessions - players can increase the ratio of touches in the session. Leading coaches suggest players need a minimum of two hundred touches per session just to reinforce existing skills. That's before they even learn something new. Players shouldn't have to waste time running after sliotars because a coach hasn't enough balls for a good session." The Scullion hurls sliotar portfolio also includes their Alleyball - a robust sliotar made from PUR material designed to withstand high speed and intensive touch and skills work in a ball alley or against a wall. Michael Scullion explains: "Anyone that has been to a session by the likes of Paudie Butler, the National Hurling Coaching Co-ordinator or Fiona O'Driscoll the former Cork camogie coach, will know they are very strong advocates of players using wall and alley sessions to improve their speed and touch. They need a sliotar that responds well and is durable enough for these sessions. Our Alleyball ticks the boxes so it is a valuable part of our product range." Scullion Hurls is an established and respected hurley manufacturer based in Antrim hurling stronghold Loughgiel. The family owned business has a range of clients including intercounty players from Antrim, Down and Derry as well as clubs and counties in Ulster and further afield. Scullions Hurls is also a member of the Irish Guild of Hurling Makers. Their hurleys are made from ash sourced primarily from forests within Co Antrim, due to severe shortages in supply some stocks of ash are sourced from suppliers in Europe. All hurls are crafted in the workshop in Loughgiel and are finished by hand to the traditional Scullion hurley shape. Tweet

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