Hurling 2025

[marty34]

I see Willie Maher has got the big gig - National Director of Hurling.

Not dishing him as he's only got it but I'd have went for someone at the coalface of Tier 2 and Tier 3. Maher has managed county teams and clubs at a high level. I'd have wanted someone 'down the food chain' a bit.

A bit underwhelming for me. I suppose it depends on his remit. But in all honesty, it's clear to me that the GAA doesn't really want to bridge the gap in hurling. It's all a ticking the boxes exercise.

[SaffronSports]

What's the thoughts on hurling on artificial pitches?

Watching a schools game on clubber and the pitch is running very true, plenty of bounce on the ball which is making for a free flowing game.

Can't see it becoming a regular thing though as most teams are still training on grass and there are some issues over increased levels of injury on those surfaces.

[Milltown Row2]

What's the thoughts on hurling on artificial pitches?

Watching a schools game on clubber and the pitch is running very true, plenty of bounce on the ball which is making for a free flowing game.

Can't see it becoming a regular thing though as most teams are still training on grass and there are some issues over increased levels of injury on those surfaces.

Wouldn't be a big fan of them, great for preseason games and when the monsoon hits in July to save it from use but as you have mentioned, injuries would be my main fear for players. Grand for refs though lol

[Premier Emperor]

Willie is a great appointment. He would have been a great career but for his injury.
His experience of managing a weak county will help him know what needs to be done to promote hurling outside the strongholds.

[Premier Emperor]

What's the thoughts on hurling on artificial pitches?

Watching a schools game on clubber and the pitch is running very true, plenty of bounce on the ball which is making for a free flowing game.

Can't see it becoming a regular thing though as most teams are still training on grass and there are some issues over increased levels of injury on those surfaces.

I'm all for them.
Football can be played in muck and mud, but not hurling.
We need hurling matches to be played in as much of the year as possible.

[johnnycool]

Willie is a great appointment. He would have been a great career but for his injury.
His experience of managing a weak county will help him know what needs to be done to promote hurling outside the strongholds.

Laois mightn't be a hurling stronghold on your terms, but they've a strong playing base to work from whereas Willie will need to be more strategically minded if he's to put plans in place for the lower tiers to make progression with the hurling playing base.

I'm always minded of a comment Sambo McNaughton made years ago on RTE about Antrim and Ulster hurling when asked if Brian Cody would be able to help and his response was entirely bang on in that we don't need a Brian Cody, we need a Ned Quinn.

Putting structures in place at juvenile and club level is more important than driving up to Garvaghy or Owenbeg to take a training session.

[NAG1]

Willie is a great appointment. He would have been a great career but for his injury.
His experience of managing a weak county will help him know what needs to be done to promote hurling outside the strongholds.

Laois mightn't be a hurling stronghold on your terms, but they've a strong playing base to work from whereas Willie will need to be more strategically minded if he's to put plans in place for the lower tiers to make progression with the hurling playing base.

I'm always minded of a comment Sambo McNaughton made years ago on RTE about Antrim and Ulster hurling when asked if Brian Cody would be able to help and his response was entirely bang on in that we don't need a Brian Cody, we need a Ned Quinn.

Putting structures in place at juvenile and club level is more important than driving up to Garvaghy or Owenbeg to take a training session.

Which is all his predecessor did as far as I could see anyway.

This should have been a strategically minded person, or if they wanted purely hurling person they should have created two roles.

what with the best will in the world will he know about Belfast or Derry and developing hurling in these cities? Will he have an idea how to develop hurling in Donegal or Monaghan?

Great he has a background at high level playing and has coached in Laois, surrounded by strong hurling counties. Not his fault but not the appointment that Hurling needed and again short sighted and insular.

[Saffrongael]

Didn't Martin Fogarty resign from the hurling development committee in protest at the application process?

Maher was also on the hurling development committee, which is a bit bizarre that thats where the successful applicant came from.

[marty34]

Didn't Martin Fogarty resign from the hurling development committee in protest at the application process?

Maher was also on the hurling development committee, which is a bit bizarre that thats where the successful applicant came from.

Is he not gone 3 years now?

[SaffronSports]

What's the thoughts on hurling on artificial pitches?

Watching a schools game on clubber and the pitch is running very true, plenty of bounce on the ball which is making for a free flowing game.

Can't see it becoming a regular thing though as most teams are still training on grass and there are some issues over increased levels of injury on those surfaces.

I'm all for them.
Football can be played in muck and mud, but not hurling.
We need hurling matches to be played in as much of the year as possible.

To me it made the game even faster and reduced the amount of rucks.

[Saffrongael]

Didn't Martin Fogarty resign from the hurling development committee in protest at the application process?

Maher was also on the hurling development committee, which is a bit bizarre that thats where the successful applicant came from.

Is he not gone 3 years now?

Yeah he's gone from that role but he was a member of the newly formed Hurling Development Committee, that Maher is also on

[johnnycool]

Didn't Martin Fogarty resign from the hurling development committee in protest at the application process?

Maher was also on the hurling development committee, which is a bit bizarre that thats where the successful applicant came from.

Is he not gone 3 years now?

Yeah he's gone from that role but he was a member of the newly formed Hurling Development Committee, that Maher is also on

What is Maher's profession as Jarlath says his professional expertise will help him develop the strategies necessary to grow the game?

[Milltown Row2]

New look Tipp, playing well with wind here in Galway. Let's see what they are like going the other way in the second half

[Saffron_sam20]

New look Tipp, playing well with wind here in Galway. Let's see what they are like going the other way in the second half

Galway look really poor here though, seem to be going through the motions and sloppy passing

[Milltown Row2]

New look Tipp, playing well with wind here in Galway. Let's see what they are like going the other way in the second half

Galway look really poor here though, seem to be going through the motions and sloppy passing

Yeah Tipp are looking like they are about 2 months ahead of schedule