Hurling slide to be tackled in Munster

THE Munster Council is to launch major schemes in Co Kerry and Limerick City to arrest the alarming decline of hurling in the two areas.

Compared to the other three provinces, the game in Munster is in rude health, but there are still pockets of concern which will be tackled under the new National Hurling Development Plan.

Hurling Development Administrators have been appointed in Kerry and Limerick city but there are blackspots all over the province.

“In the last decade there has been a regular loss of players in urban areas and this will be the focus of our attention under the plan,” said Munster Council chairman Sean Fogarty yesterday.

“We need to consolidate what we have before moving into new pastures.”

Limerick city has suffered a drain of players and even clubs in recent years, but Fogarty pointed to towns like Clonmel and Roscrea in Tipperary, which will be given assistance with the funds made available this week.

“Second-level schools are an area of concern. The greatest drop-off period for teenagers used to be the 16/17 age bracket. Now that has lowered to 13/14 and that needs to be addressed.”

Ulster is faced with situations like that in Fermanagh, where there are only two hurling clubs.

Part of their solution will be to employ mobile hurling units which will train and mentor young coaches who, it is hoped, will then work in their own areas on a permanent basis.

In Connacht, ‘Hurling on the Green’ programmes are being initiated in all counties with a resident School of Excellence planned for NUIG.

Leinster has been divided into eight regions, four of which - Laois/Carlow, Meath/Kildare, Wicklow/north Wexford and Offaly/Westmeath - have new Hurling Development Officers.

Dublin is to be treated separately.