County teams may train in Singapore

INCOMING GAA President Nickey Brennan believes Singapore could become a training base for inter-county teams.

But he admits the hope is dependent on the introduction of direct flights to the region. The success of the Vodafone All-stars tour demonstrated the organisational ability of the local Gaelic Lions club who are also promoting the visit of the Ladies Football All-stars to the city in March and are keen to have further teams travel from Ireland.

Brennan, a former All-star, was involved in a stormy exhibition game in Chicago in the late seventies. Last weekend's match, played in the Singapore Polo Club was very different, he agreed, but there was still "plenty of good skill displayed."

"You won't get that level of competitiveness from an exhibition game and that's not the whole issue. The result wasn't the be-all or the end-all. The crowd was fantastic and those who didn't see hurling played before would have seen the skill factor, the pace at which the game is played and the bravery of the players to some degree.

"The fact that it rained meant that it wasn't always easy to control the ball, but the players went as far as they could. They are all starting heavy training, so playing in this weather would not have been easy for them. Getting into the Polo Club can't have been easy. People a long way removed from hurling play in this establishment. To allow us in and enjoy ourselves for a day was an achievement in itself.

"It probably shows the influence the Irish people have in this region and their growing influence.''

Brennan is very much committed to the concept of taking the All-stars abroad in January, commenting: "clearly it's an important occasion for the players. The players on this trip enjoyed it very much and they were thrilled to be here. There's no problem in getting them to come, by and large. I see no reason why the tours won't continue.

"It's on for the footballers next year (with San Francisco rumoured as the destination). We probably need to be planning two years in advance, rather than six months before we leave in terms of scheduling and fixtures.''

The Singapore Lions (www.gaeliclions.com), used their imagination when it came to publicising the game. Referring to hurling as "a 15th-century-old activity," they described it in brochures as follows: "the aim is to hurtle a pellet-hard ball called a sliotar into goals using a stick with a paddle at its end (hurley). The players balance the sliotar on their hurley and then run, hit or bounce it forward, sometimes with all limbs attached.''

And, it gets better: "if you haven't had the twisted pleasure of seeing this example of man's inhumanity to man, head to the Polo Club on 21 January to see the finest players from Ireland perform an exhibition match and enjoy a family day out with the best of Gaelic fun and entertainment but keep your head down.

"Beidh céad míle fáilte róimh go léir.''