Hurling must be 'promoted, nurtured'

IF HURLING was a "small bird or a snail" there would be millions of euro spent by the Government and the EU on its preservation, Tipperary GAA bosses believe.

County secretary Michael O'Brien will tell convention on Sunday that hurling needs to be encouraged and promoted in the counties where it is weak but alive, and nurtured carefully in the counties where it is vibrant."

Described as "Ireland's gem" by association president, Sean Kelly, Mr O'Brien claims the code is not as strong in some counties as heretofore, while in others "it has become almost extinct."

He added: "Why is there no special government funding being made available to ensure this great game doesn't become extinct? Is there enough being done to ensure the continued existence of the game? Are county committees promoting football in hurling areas at the expense of hurling?

"Many former hurling strongholds are no longer able to produce hurling as in former years. Hurling is a unique game, very skilful and difficult to become proficient at. With the diversity of games and pastimes now available to our youth are we doing enough to nurture it?"

He said Tipperary has top-class coaching structures in place - "but are we doing enough to ensure that Tipperary remains one of the dominant hurling counties and that the game expands and thrives in other areas? Experience shows that where the game becomes weak it is difficult to revive it."

The secretary's report also deals with the fall-out from Tipperary's withdrawal from the All-Ireland football qualifiers after a stand-off over the postponement of local fixtures. Mr O'Brien denied that football was the 'poor relation' in Tipperary - "the claim does not stand up to scrutiny," he said.

"There are many who accept that both codes are treated well in Tipperary. I am not aware of any complaints from the players and I also understand the selectors had no issue with county board except for the playing of a club game in the week prior to the Fermanagh (qualifier) game.

"However there seems to be a sector of the Tipperary public unwilling to give any credit at all to county committee and this is because they are unaware of the facts. Football is not downgraded by county committee. For example, our hurlers and footballers get the same mileage allowance as laid down by Croke Park. Hurlers and footballers are given meals of equal quality after games and training sessions. Both the hurling and football squads get the gear allowance as approved by Croke Park."

Mr O'Brien also underlines the absence of an official request for the use of Croke Park from the FAI or IRFU to date.

He pointed out: "They seem quite happy to allow their supporters travel to Britain to view games. Surely the request should come that quarter. If there is no request then there can't be a refusal.

"So, will Croke Park be opened up to other sports? Personally I think it will be opened up to accommodate the many fans who openly support our Gaelic games and also support other codes and who may be forced to go to great expense to do just that. It would be a good public relations exercise but the opening of Croke Park for whatever period of time will have to be on the GAA terms."

The Tipperary football saga was an over-reaction by team management that left the team in a vacuum when other options were available, according to Sean Nugent, South Tipperary's GAA secretary.

"It is my view that when you take on a job you try to see it through with all its difficulties and if their are problems it's better to fight them from the inside than from the outside."

The following officers will be returned unopposed: chairman: Barry O'Brien (Fr Sheehy's), secretary: Sean Nugent (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), treasurer: Tom Cusack (Fr Sheehy's), County Board trustee: Mick Egan (Clonmel Commercials), youth officer: B. Dignam (Grangemockler).