Dr Ed Coughlan: The best are the ones always searching for ways to be better

Most hurling counties looked to Kilkenny for a template to copy, rather than looking to the evidence from which to innovate. A lot like Limerick hurling decided to do over a decade ago

THE THIRST FOR TROPHIES: ‘If you want to be hunted, loyal to your players, and not the traditions of the game, then look to innovate.’ Picture: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

Hurling is as innovative as they come. The move away from an All-Ireland championship in 1974 to create the B championship was significant.

This became the Christy Ring Cup in 2005, which itself now feeds the Joe McDonagh Cup since 2018, and an opportunity for weaker hurling counties to have a cut off the big guns from Munster and Leinster while experiencing silverware along the way.