Stag put on hold as Meelin togs out for world’s biggest hurling match

“Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude.

I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”

The famed quote was Liverpool legend Bill Shankly’s take on soccer.

In the north Cork village of Meelin, hurling is taken just as seriously — having precedence over stag or hen nights.

Pre-nuptials, it emerged, are on hold as the village gears up next weekend for a Guinness Book of Records attempt at the biggest hurling match ever staged. And the organisers are confident.

Every man, woman and child is being mobilised for the record attempt which will take place at the GAA club’s pitch on Sunday.

DJ O’Sullivan, 26, is postponing his stag celebrations as a result. He readily admits that all his friends are taking part, so there wasn’t much point.

DJ, who won an All Ireland Intermediate hurling medal with Meelin in 2010, has no doubt the club will get into the Guinness Book of Records. He’s due to tie the knot next month with Jacqueline Murphy, who owns a beauty salon in Boherbue and who will also attend the record attempt.

“We’ll definitely break the world record. Everybody is getting involved,” said David, who works in Newmarket Motors. “You don’t have to be mad to live in Meelin but it certainly helps.”

Club members on a recent trip to Dublin distributed fliers in some pubs about the event and had inquiries as a result.

“In general, we’ve had offers to send teams from all counties in Munster, bar Tipperary. We’ve had inquiries from Kilkenny as well. It’s generated phenomenal interest,” club spokesman Kieran Linehan said.

Age is no barrier but the Guinness Book of Records is insisting each person taking to the field plays for at least 10 minutes.

“Having 800 people playing on the day is very realistic. And 1,000 is not out of the question,” Mr Linehan said.

Cork legend Seán ÓgÓ hAilpín has agreed to start the mammoth match with throw in at 12 noon.

Other Cork stars who will line out — if Jimmy Barry Murphy doesn’t call them for training at the same time — are expected to be Anthony Nash, Lorcan McLoughlin, William Egan and Mark Ellis.

“Newmarket are sending three juvenile teams to take part and this year’s All Ireland Senior Camogie champions, Milford, are coming as well.

“We might use part of the event for a match between them and the Meelin men,” Mr Lenihan said.