Young Armagh Hurlers Impress In Galway
At end of April thirty seven young hurlers from nineteen different primary schools, representing all eight hurling clubs in the county travelled to Galway for a full weekend of hurling. The squad – all in their last year of primary school – was made up of representatives from all schools that took part in the first Cumann na mBunscol hurling blitz of the school year in October 2010.
After checking into their accommodation for the weekend, the squad made their way out to the home of All-Ireland club hurling champions, Clarenbridge. They were split into three teams and played off in a blitz format against three teams from the host club. Galway City Games Promotion Officer, Gerry Spellman, was hugely impressed by the standard of hurling shown by the Armagh boys and there was a great atmosphere about Clarenbridge as a large number of parents from both the host club and Armagh came out to watch the games.
On Saturday morning the Armagh contingent made their way out to Tonabrucky, to Rahoon – Newcastle GAC (the home of Galway centre back Tony Óg Regan) for a session on the club’s magnificent hurling wall. They then headed back into Galway city for lunch and a bit of shopping in and around Eyre Square.
There was a return trip to Rathún-An Chaisleán Nua where the Armagh boys were again divided into three different teams for a blitz involving teams from the host club and Salthill-Knockacarra. Once again the Armagh lads more than held their own in front of a large travelling support as even more family members made the trip down from Armagh on Saturday morning. The boys also got the chance to buy some hurls from local hurley-maker, Emmett Heffernan, who was also in charge of the host club’s U11 team.
Following their evening meal, the boys had some surprise visitors as last year’s All-Ireland winning captain, Eoin Kelly, and 2010 Hurler of the Year, Lar Corbett took some time out of their preparations for their game against Galway to speak to the squad. Photos and autographs were the order of the day and this was certainly the highlight of the weekend for the visitors from Armagh.
After Mass and Sunday dinner the boys made the trip out to Pearse Stadium in Salthill for the National Hurling League game against Tipperary. Unfortunately, Galway’s impressive start to the league faltered as Lar Corbett and Tipperary (cheered on by their new Armagh support) ran riot inflicting a 4.23 to 1.14 defeat on the hosts.
The squad are very thankful to the mentors who looked after them over the course of the weekend in Galway – Ryan Gaffney (Na Fianna), Micéal Murphy (An Céide), Chris Shine (Sean Treacy’s) Niall Clifford (Cúchulainns) and to the many parents and family members who made the long trip to lend their support. Armagh County Board would also like to thank Gerry Spellman (Galway City GPO / Clarenbirdge GAC) for all his help in helping to organise the weekend’s activities.
