The quality of wooden hurleys seems to be deteriorating over the last number of years (IMO). But at this stage it's reached the point where someone has to try and come up with a solution. I am not going to say which ones are poor, we have purchased hurleys from everywhere and the costs are mounting up. Our latest batch of 22 from a well-known hurley maker, over half where gone after two matches and I mean in bits. They are disintegrating at an alarming rate. The quality of the workmanship is always second to none; just the raw material seems to be useless for the intended purpose. No other sport would tolerate such faulty inferior playing equipment. Cultec's have provided at least an alternative, but not every hurler wants one or is comfortable with one and yes they do break too. Maybe there is no solution to this, it's just part and parcel of the modern game. But with the costs now it is becoming harder to justify. I'd like to see some better research and development, surely it is not beyond some enterprising souls to find a solution. I know the punishing nature of the game pushes durability and strength to the limit, but the wood is not up to it anymore.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4955 - 19/08/2014 17:23:16    1638971

arock I have long maintained that the way certain players pull is the main reason why so many hurls are broke. In our club there are 2-3 lads who are responsible for breaking a lot of the hurls. Some players seem to pull on every ball with breaking a hurl part of the plan.

For me, the real problem is that the players never seem to pay for broken hurls. I think if they did, they wouldnt be long getting used to cultec ones.

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 19/08/2014 19:08:22    1639026

Arock have ye gotten hurley from O'Brien down here in Tipp ? They are top notch sticks. I believe the hurley is breaking because of the drying process, it's very important that the makers have them stored at the right temperature. I'm being told that storing them in high temperature sheds are drying out the hurley to much and have seen some of these hurley to break by just striking the ball.

therealtmo (Tipperary) - Posts: 1292 - 19/08/2014 20:29:42    1639065

Thanks for that feedback:
Pinkie
Yeah we have those types as well who see breaking hurleys as some sort of "kill" even in training they are pain.
And therealtmo
I'll try these O'Brien hurleys, I have contact details, for me the wood in a lot of hurleys is just not right as you say what hope is there if they are breaking when just striking a sliotar, never mind meeting the chaps Pinkie describes.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4955 - 20/08/2014 15:51:48    1639439

Ah but the real issue is this

Is it a Hurl....or a hurley!!

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 20/08/2014 16:15:47    1639458

Pinkie, do your club players get their sticks for free? You must be right that certain among them have no qualms about breaking them. It's a bad attitude especially with ash getting harder to come by. Nobody minds if you go through a few per season but if it's the same boys breaking them somebody needs to have a word.

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1558 - 20/08/2014 16:56:10    1639490

Nothing like breaking a hurley I must admit but the club paying for them???! Must be a wealthy club.

hurlinspuds (Cork) - Posts: 1494 - 20/08/2014 17:02:03    1639501

For what its worth , and its saved me a few bob overtime , weather the hurls properly I soak in water , let them dry , then apply linseed oil , a hurl out in the last eighteen months made by Colm Foley in Castleknock aptly called 65s are worth checking out .

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 20/08/2014 20:55:11    1639649

Remember the old Wavin hurlers. Christ they were a horror, like concrete and would send vibrations right up the arm!!!!!!!

Damon's right the soak and linseed oil is the way to go. Mother used to hate it as the bath was taken up!!!

witnof (Dublin) - Posts: 1604 - 20/08/2014 21:24:48    1639665