Good news for hurley makers as ash trees evolving resistance to dieback, new study reveals

The 'Irish Examiner' reported in April that the supply of ash suitable for hurley making could be exhausted within three years. File picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

New generations of wild ash trees are rapidly evolving resistance to the fungus devastating their numbers, scientists have discovered, giving a sliver of hope to hurley makers worried about the dieback crisis that has engulfed the game.

The discovery gives hope, the researchers said, and shows allowing the natural regeneration of woodlands is vital to enabling this evolution to take place.