HURLING – THE GAME OF GIANTS

This Sunday, the 7th September, sees the mouth-watering prospect of a fantastic All-Ireland Hurling Final between Kilkenny and Waterford. Waterford are in their first All Ireland final in 45 years and Kilkenny are seeking a historic three-in-a-row under manager Brian Cody.
Waterford has had a rags-to-riches season thus far. They controversially parted with their manager, Justin McCarthy early in the season after the championship had commenced. It was widely rumoured that a dressing room rebellion by the players in relation to fitness levels ended the reign of the Cork man. Whatever the reasons, Waterford gave themselves a stick to beat them with their attitude. The appointment of legendary Clare goalkeeper, Davy Fitzgerald, as manager has galvanized the team it would appear. That Fitzgerald is a controversial character in his own right adds to the drama of the occasion. The Clare man is not afraid to speak his mind and in the past has regular brushes with authority both inside and outside his own county.
Brian Cody is a no-nonsense manager who has ruled Kilkenny hurling with an iron fist since appointed seven years ago. His remarkable achievements off the field have mirrored his exploits on the turf. A multi-All Ireland medal winner at every level of the game, a three in a row on Sunday would practically immortalize the man.

In each of the teams are players of pure genius that will make the showdown on Sunday an undoubtedly memorable occasion. Players such as Ken McGrath, Dan Shanahan, and the fiery John Mullane will inspire Waterford. On the Kilkenny team, the peerless Henry Shefflin and Charley Carter rule the roost.

Hurling is one of the great field games of the world. It gets little exposure internationally, yet anybody from abroad who ever sees it played rave about it. The speed and the skill are phenomenal. For amateur players, the level of physicality and fitness is hard to fathom.
As a game it seems made for the American market. It would make all their muscular games seem like tiddlywinks! NFL football and baseball seem boring by contrast to even a bad hurling game. Ice hockey, reputedly the fastest field game in the world, would pale into insignificance when compared to a junior hurling game.
And yet the GAA seem strangely reluctant to market it in America, the most obvious place to expand the game. Rather, they promote a bastardized version of football against full Aussie Rules players every two years. The series is almost dead because of the consistent violence of the Australian players.
Would it not be wiser to talk to the American associations and TV networks in an effort to spread the gospel of the most fluid ball game there is?
In the meantime, we all look forward to Sunday!