Crash of the Ash: The disease that could end hurley-making

With Teagasc estimating that up to 90% of ash trees will succumb to ash dieback, there is a sense of urgency around a review of the Ash Dieback Scheme, but also a sense of hope at signs of ash trees showing natural tolerance to the disease

hurling and camogie enjoy UNESCO status as an intangible cultural heritage activity. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

HURLERS from Ballygiblin, a rural crossroads tucked away in a corner of north Cork, near Mitchelstown, will play Easkey, a small village on the Sligo coast, in the AIB All-Ireland junior final at Croke Park this month. Both teams will bring to the decider the inherited and acquired skills of an ancient game that features strongly in Irish mythology and goes back 2,000 years.

Traditionally carved from mighty ash trees, hurleys often become tools of sporting artistry in the hands of talented players. The natural strength, flexibility, lightness and shock absorption qualities of the timber make them ideal for playing the game.